Back widow vs Rogue power pin
This is a comparison between the back widow and the Rogue power pin including pros, cons, and alternatives. It was published first under which grip strength tool to get from Rogue. Follow the links for more details.
Overview and review of the Rogue power pin
This is an overview of the Rogue power pin including pros, cons, and alternatives. It was published first under which grip strength tool to get from Rogue. Follow the links for more details.
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Overview of the Rogue power pin
Price: $136.50
The
Rogue Power pin is a simple tool for narrow grip deadlifts like the power stairs or duck walks. It is mainly a tool for strongmen training and can also be used to improve your grip in general. It can be loaded up to 500lbs and there is also a ring attachment for it for $50. This is a practical, small tool to especially train weight holds in your home gym or simulate some strongman events. The full specifications are:
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Made in America
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Diameter: 1.96" loading pin, 4.5" ring
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Length: 12" loadable length
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Weight:12.5LB, 500+LB weight capacity
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10 holes spaced 1” on center for an adjustable height range of 19.75” to 28.75”
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Black Powder Coat Finish
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Available as Fully Assembled Unit or Just Handle (for use with original Rogue Power Pin)
A small amount of money well spent to put some variety into your deadlift training.
Pros of the Rogue power pin
Good price
Simple effective tool
Good finish
With these kinds of tools, it is all about making them easy to use and fit well with the plates. Rogue did a good job on the detail which otherwise can turn something simple into something useless. If you are considering a
trap bar a
power pin is cheaper and more fun to use.
Cons of the rogue power pin
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Only loadable to 500lbs
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Not versatile
The
power pin can only be loaded to 500lb. While this is more than enough for most humans, this is a tool that will also raise interest for the strongest among us. They may want something that can take even more weight. In addition, the only thing you will do with the
power pin is to pull something off the floor. For $140 you have other options like jumping ropes or slam balls that can be used in more ways.
Alternatives to the Rogue power pin
The
rogue trap bar would be another way to vary your deadlift and grip training. A
trap bar would still enable you to lift the weight with your arms outside the legs. This is usually a better variation for beginners. A
trap bar can also be loaded with more weight. Downsides to a
trap bar are the bigger price tag and space requirements.
The
anvil grip attachment is an interesting twist on deadlifts and holds. You will need a
power pin to make it work but it will be worth it. It is shaped like a cone and comes in two different colors, black, and chrome. This is a great tool to collect with other grip strength utensils to let nothing escape your hands.
If you want to get your core more rigid to be able to pick up things from the ground faster and stronger you can also get a decently sized
MK D-ball. For the budget of the
power pin, you can get a 40lb to
50lb ball. This leaves with more options for carries, slams, ball to shoulders, and similar exercises. The downside is that the ball can not be adjusted for weight and trains your grip less.
The
dinnie rings are more an accessory to the
power pin rather than an alternative. The
dinnie rings in combination with two pins are probably the best way to simulate the famous Scottish stone lift at home and prepare for it.
Conclusion for the Rogue power pin
The
rogue power pin is a cost and space-efficient way to mix up your deadlift and grip training if you already have the necessary plates. If you are only starting your grip strength journey you might be better off buying
pinch blocks and
cannonballs to start as you will not need Kanye’s to make them work.
Overview and review of the Back widow
This is an overview of the Back widow including pros, cons, and alternatives. It was published first under which grip strength tool to get from Rogue. Follow the links for more details.
Overview of the back widow
Price: $299
The
back widow is a versatile handle that can be used as an attachment for cable pulls and attached to a
barbell for landmine rows. This makes it a very versatile tool that can be used in many scenarios to improve grip and back strength. This is an ideal solution for a home gym where the user wants to save space and money for multiple applications. In bigger gym scenarios it might be a better approach to get multiple handles for the price of one
back widow. The full specifications are:
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Multi-Use Attachment for Back Workouts
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15+ Adjustable Positions
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Length: 5.5" (Lower Handles) / 4.25" (Upper Handles)
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Diameter: 1.25" (Handles)
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Weight: 9.25 LBS
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Carabiner Slot for Attachments: 9/16” wide x 1” tall
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Color: Black
This tool is definitely worth its money when you want to have a landmine handle and an attachment for your lat pull machine at home.
Pros of the back widow
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Versatility
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High-quality build
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Weight
This attachment for a pulley and to bars has many different configurations which will help you to build a bigger back and stronger grip. It can also mix up the work with a rowing machine or lat pull so that you can stay motivated and attack all different areas of your back. With its high-quality build, you can throw almost anything at the
back widow without breaking it and even use it like a deadlift jack. The weight of this handle attributes for its high-quality design. You can see that professionally wanted to design something helpful for other professionals with the
Back widow.
Cons of the Back widow
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Price
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Weight
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Only one handle
With a $price tag of $300 the
back widow is not cheap. for that amount of money, you can get three
stainless lat bars from a low price vendor or a big assortment of smaller handles. The weight itself is also not great when your home gym setup is a bit flimsy. If you combine it with the Spud Inc. pulley or similar self-made contraption, you will have problems with keeping a smooth feed through the rollers. This is best used with a stationary lat pull or rowing machines like the Rogue CT1 or the Rogue Monster Lat pull down. In a commercial gym setting, it is also better to get multiple handles rather than one handle. Most average joes will find the adjustments on the
widow annoying rather than helpful for a quick workout and as a commercial gym owner you rather have three different handles for three different towers than one handle for three towers.
Alternatives to the back widow
Rogue Multi-grip cable attachment is a massive handle that can be attached to cable pulleys. This is a great tool for any strongmen who want to work on their grip and pull work. This attachment simulates better when you do not get the best grip on a big weight because the handles are not in the most advantageous position. With $175 it also leaves room for handles to be bought against the same budget like the
back widow. The only downside of this attachment is that it is very heavy.
The
Rogue Stainless steel bar is a classic lat pull bar that is straight and curved at the ends for different grip variations. This is the standard option that most gyms go with for their towers. Compared to the
Back widow you can almost get two of these for the same price. The only disadvantages are that it can be quite boring and that you might get this cheaper from a different vendor than from Rogue.
The
Rogue tricep strap is the better partner for home gym pulley setups that are a little makeshift. Its lower weight makes it easier to maneuver and get a smooth ride in place. It is also quite a bit cheaper than a
back widow or any of the other attachments. The disadvantage is that it is not suitable for big heavy pulls where you spread your arms wide.
Conclusion for the back widow
The
back widow is a great tool for the home gym owner who has some extra cash to spend, likes high-quality products, and does not want too many handles flying about. Just have a hard look at your training routine if you actually do t bar rows and lat pulls already in your local gym or desperately miss out on them. This attachment is not just a gimmick like many others. For commercial gyms, I do not see the point as it is usually more practical to have a wall or bag full of a lot of attachments where people help themselves. The
back widow would need some instructions and also the versatility does not really apply to the commercial scenario. The teenagers or your strongest hulk will probably hug this attachment for two hours. Better to have more handles for others who are waiting.