Height considerations for gymnastic rings and pull-up bar heights

Our goal is to ensure competing athletes at CrossFit competitions can perform hanging gymnastics movements safely and fairly between competitors. The athletes should be able to perform the hanging gymnastics movements as they were meant to be performed as instructed at CrossFit affiliates.

The PFAA's Interim Executive Committee collected data from 62 athletes who competed at the 2021 CrossFit Semifinals to help competition organizers choose appropriate heights for their gymnastic rings and pull-up bars. The PFAA worked on this project in hopes it would help competitions create a high safety standard at their events, and also to help athletes compete on a fair playing field.

Data collected between September and October 2021 led to detailed findings and recommendations. For the privacy of the athletes who participated the names have been removed from the spreadsheet. This information was provided to CrossFit Inc and Loud & Live Sports at the time of its creation.

Any group or competition that wishes to use this content for is welcome to do so.

Measurement recommendations for competition organizers

These measurements are based on data from 2021. Taller or shorter athletes may qualify for competitive events in the future. We strongly urge all event organizers to review specific athlete details to ensure equipment remains equitable.

Pull-Up Bars

  • If you only have one bar set it to 251cm

  • If you only have one bar, but can change the height between male and female heats, set them to 251cm and 235cm, respectively

  • If you have two permanent bars set them to 251cm and 220cm


Gymnastic Rings

  • If you have one height of rings for males at Semfinals set them to 257cm

  • If you have one height of rings for males at The Games set them to 249cm

  • If you have one height of rings for females at Semifinals set them to 241cm

  • If you have one height of rings for females at The Games set them to 230cm

  • If you allow male athletes to choose from one of three ring heights at a competition set them to 257cm, 240cm, 223cm

  • If you allow male athletes to choose from one of two ring heights at a competition set them to 257cm, 239cm

  • If you allow female athletes to choose from one of three ring heights at a competition set them to 241cm, 229cm, 217cm

  • If you allow female athletes to choose from one of two ring heights at a competition set them to 241cm, 233cm

Important Note

For ALL of the measurements listed above, athletes MUST be provided the option of using TWO 6” foam risers to stand on. Without these two risers the measurements don’t work. Ideally risers have a much larger surface area than the 28”x28” ones commonly provided, closer to 7’x7’ so they cover the entire floor beneath the rig. This would reduce any injury risk of athletes falling when compared to smaller objects like ballistic blocks. Risers with larger surface areas can be stacked even higher, with the possibility of an additional 3” riser to reach 15” especially if only one height of bar or rings is available.