Learn How to Make a Floor Bar That Doesn't Bend

February 18, 2019

Floor bars are one of my favorite teaching tools at all levels. They aid in skill development and add a fun twist to some basic drills. Check out some insider tips on lesson planning. A floor bar is an easy item to make at home. This new version is even stronger than our previous floor bar with added dowel support to prevent bending.


What you need to make a floor bar:

  • 2 - 12 in pieces of 4x4 wood
  • 1 - 4ft 1 1/4 inch PVC pipe
  • 1 - 4ft 1 1/4 inch dowel rod
  • 2 - 1 1/4 inch galvanized clip hangers
  • PVC glue
  • 4 - 1 1/4 inch Kreg pocket hole screws
  • 2 - 2 1/2 inch Kreg pocket hole screws
  • Drill
  • Optional - cute helper 
  • Watch the full video here!


Instructions to make a floor bar:

  • Place the dowel rod inside the PVC pipe.
  • Place one piece of 4x4 under each end of the PVC pipe.
  • Put PVC glue on a galvanized clip, place in the middle of the 4x4 and secure with one 1 1/4 screw on each side. Repeat on the other side.
  • Use 2 1/2 inch screw to drill through the PVC pipe and dowel rod into the 4x4 just outside the galvanized clip area. Repeat on the other side.
  • Have your tester try them out!

 

Please remember that I make these bars for my personal use at home and at the gym under strict instruction. They are called floor bars for a reason. Keep them on the ground, never elevate.


What Do You Do With A Floor Bar?

There are seemingly endless uses of a floor bar. I frequently keep one next to me while I coach bars as I love to pull athletes to work one on one on a problem part during their workout. However, floor bars are not just for Competitive Team athletes. We use them all the way down to our preschool program teaching front support and cast shaping. 


Basic uses of a floor bar:

  • Bear crawl forward
  • Bear crawl sideways
  • Cartwheel hop over
  • Horsie kick


Intermediate uses of a floor bar:

  • Tuck hold
  • Pike hold
  • Straddle hold
  • Cartwheel over


Advanced uses of a floor bar:

  • Handstand against wall
  • Press to Handstand
  • Pirouette
  • And much, much, more!


Happy Training!


Morgan Kuchynka


Pinnacle in 3-D: Coaching, Development, and Success

Gratitude station for celebrating the countdown to Thanksgiving by writing notes to family members
By Morgan Kuchynka • October 22, 2026
Teach kids appreciation this holiday with 7 meaningful Thanksgiving activities for families that teach gratitude. Create lasting memories with these ideas!
A young gymnast performing a floor routine at her first gymnastics meet
By Morgan Kuchynka • October 22, 2026
Ready for your gymnast's first meet? Get tips on packing emergency hair supplies, healthy pre-game nutrition, and focusing on process goals over scores.
Sunflower Field for family pictures in Kansas City
By Rachel Borchardt • October 6, 2026
Explore the top fall activities for kids in Kansas City! Visit Cider Hill Orchard, KC Pumpkin Patch, Grinter Farms, and keep active all season long.
Gymnasts in an indoor gymnastics class warming up with jumps.
By Rachel Borchardt • September 30, 2026
Beat boredom with the best indoor activities for kids. Keep your children entertained and engaged with active classes, creative crafts, and home games!
A preschooler dancing to shapes and colors to help with child development
By Morgan Kuchynka • August 19, 2026
Discover the benefits of dance for preschoolers, including creativity, memory, confidence, coordination, crossing the midline, and kindergarten readiness skills.
A preschool gymnast is reaching across the bar in a blue and pink leotard
By Morgan Kuchynka • August 19, 2026
Discover the benefits of gymnastics for preschoolers, including strength, coordination, crossing the midline, fine motor skills, and kindergarten readiness.
a family sharing a meal during a family date night in Kansas City
By Morgan Kuchynka • July 16, 2026
Looking for family date night ideas in Kansas City? Discover kid-friendly restaurants, outdoor dining, shareable meals, and fun local spots the family will love!
happy kids jumping in a green grass field celebrating after school activities
By Morgan Kuchynka • July 16, 2026
Help your child start the school year strong with back-to-school activities that build confidence, from gymnastics and dance to running clubs and family service.
A blue backpack with school supplies for active kids
By Morgan Kuchynka • June 22, 2026
Use this ultimate back to school shopping guide for active kids to simplify supplies, organize routines, and prepare active kids for success this fall, too
More Posts