The old-fashioned bar

Altus 3-in-1 Chin-Up + Push-Up + Sit-Up Bar: Simple, age-old design featuring a telescoping aluminum tube suspended in place between two brackets on each side of a door jam.

Likes: Basic, simple, safe design. Affix two brackets in the door jam via five screws each and slip the bar in place. Thin neoprene hand pads are comfortable. With bar solidly in place, you can confidently place a lot of torque on it; do knee raises-leg lifts and rotate legs through your arms, like you're back on the monkey bars. Two extra brackets give you the option of positioning the bar low to hook ankles for sit-ups or 3 feet off the ground for Australian pull-ups, in which you hang your body at a sub-45-degree angle in plank position with feet on the floor and pull up -- a great movement for all, including beginners.

Dislikes: Each bracket requires the drilling of five holes in the door jam for wood screws.

Price: $19.99 to $29.99. (800) 654-3955; www.altusathletic.com.