The Best DIY Pulley Attachment: A Step-by-Step Guide

The Best DIY Pulley Attachment for Your Home Gym

If you thought you’ve seen every cable attachment variation known to man, think again. Unless you saw my teaser video, in which case this isn’t a surprise, but I’m still about to blow your mind.

In this guide, I’m going to show you how to create the best DIY pulley attachment for your home gym. This cable attachment has quickly become my favorite because it allows you to do typical tricep rope exercises while adding the ability for unilateral work, thanks to the center pulley. Let’s dive in!

Why This DIY Pulley Attachment is My Favorite

This DIY pulley attachment isn’t just for triceps. It can be used for all sorts of cable exercises, but its real strength lies in its versatility. It’s based on the idea I saw in Coop's video, featuring the Spiral Strength Dually Dynamic Tricep Rope (which is a mouthful). Credit to Coop for the innovation—this project was inspired by his design. However, I modified it to be even more versatile by allowing interchangeable grips.

What You’ll Need

This DIY pulley attachment consists of only three simple components: a pulley, rope or cable, and handles. My version didn’t cost me anything since I had all these parts lying around the gym, but here’s what I recommend if you’re building from scratch.

If you’re looking to save money, use whatever rope or cable you already have. I’ve made several versions with different pulleys and found little difference in terms of feel. But if you’re buying everything new, here’s what I suggest:

Best Pulleys for Your DIY Pulley Attachment

You'll want a pulley with little to no gap between the wheel and housing to prevent the rope or cable from getting stuck. Here are some options:

• Shinico Stainless Steel Pulley - These pulleys are inexpensive and work really well for home gym use. They’re super smooth and have zero gap, making them ideal for this project. At $14 for a two-pack, it’s a great deal.
• Fusion Aluminum Climbing Pulley - These pulleys have a higher weight capacity, which can be useful depending on your setup. The only downside is that their rolling action isn’t as smooth as others, but they’re still a solid choice.
• F and F Steel Quick Load Pulley - This pulley combines the best elements of both the Shinico and climbing pulleys, designed specifically for home gyms. It’s easy to load and unload, and the large, smooth wheel makes it a high-quality purchase. Plus, use the code KAIZEN10 for 10% off!

Choosing the Right Rope

Now that you’ve got your pulley, it’s time to choose between rope and cable. I always prefer rope—specifically climbing rope. It’s easier to cut, tie, and customize, and provides a smoother experience compared to cable. Plus, it’s available in a wide variety of colors, so you can match your gym setup.

If you’re looking for alternatives, polyester accessory cord and Dyneema rope are excellent choices that offer great durability and performance. And don’t worry about strength—climbing rope is designed for extreme weight loads. It’s used in climbing to catch falling climbers, so it’s more than strong enough for this purpose!

How to Tie Your Rope

For knots, I recommend using the Perfection Loop Knot—it’s easy to tie and very secure. After tying the knot, use some carabiners to attach your rope to the pulley. I also tape the loose ends with gaff tape to prevent fraying.

Handles: The Finishing Touch

The final step is adding handles. The GymPin Cone Grips are an excellent choice for this project, as they can easily connect with a carabiner and provide a comfortable grip. But when I visited Jake’s gym, I was introduced to KlevaBuilt Grenade Grips, which added a whole new level of difficulty to exercises.

Alternatively, GymPin’s ball grips or knurled D handles are also great options. For those on a budget, I found these Lyzeous Triceps Hand Grips on Amazon, and they’re really nice for under $30 a pair. They provide good quality at an affordable price.

Conclusion

And that’s it! You now have the instructions to build the best DIY pulley attachment for your home gym. It’s simple, cost-effective, and highly versatile. Whether you’re doing tricep pushdowns or unilateral work, this attachment can handle it all. If you decide to build this, tag me on Instagram or Facebook so I can see your creations!

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