Back widow vs Rogue ring power pin

This is a comparison between the back widow and the Rogue ring 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.

Rogue Ring power pin

This is an overview of the Rogue ring 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 ring power pin

Price: $50 - $136.50

The Rogue ring power pin is a variation of the already existing power pin on the rogue line up. You will get a pin in which you can either slide the ring or t shape handle. If you already own a power pin you only need to pay $50 for the ring. This is a great tool for strongman training and leaves more options for attachments than the t shape power pin. The full specifications are:

Made in America
Diameter: 1.96" loading pin, 4.5" ring
Length: 12" loadable length
Weight:12.5LB, 500+LB weight capacity
10 holes spaced 1” on center for an adjustable height range of 19.75” to 28.75”
Black Powder Coat Finish
Available as Fully Assembled Unit or Just Handle (for use with original Rogue Power Pin)

A great tool that works by itself and can be easily attached, as long as you already have plates at home or in your gym.

Pros of the Rogue Ring power pin

Pros of the Rogue Ring power pin are:

Adjustable height
Work stand alone
Easy to combine

The Rogue ring power pin is a great tool as it can be adjusted for different heights and simulates competition like the ducks walk or power stairs. While it works stand alone you can also combine it easily with other equipment because of the ring. Compared to the T shaped power pin this leaves you with more options to train for the same money spent. If you consider lifting the dinnie stones or just like a versatile strongman tool in your arsenal, this is a good and simple option.

Cons of the Ring power pin

The cons of the Rogue power ring are:

Hidden cost
Not great for swings
The pin is easy to lose

The Rogue ring power pin assumes that you already have plates. While that is a fair assumption for most gyms with strongmen in them, it is still not factored into the cost. If you load this pin with a respectable weight, the total setup easily amounts to $300 - $600 depending on which weight you use. This makes one or two heavy kettlebells a more economical choice for a home gym that does not have plates. In addition to this, the pin is easy to adjust the height. Make sure you attach it somehow to the loading pin or the ring.

Alternatives to the Rogue ring power pin

Alternatives to the Rogue ring power pin are:

The T-bar power pin comes in at the same price and is just a different way of training. On many heavy events in strongman like safe lifts, you will find a t-bar rather than a ring to hold onto. Serious athletes will probably get the T bar power pin and the ring insert at the same time. Just be careful when you order that you do not order the loading pin double unless you want to.

Rogue also offers a classic loading pin that hooks to a carabiner. Including strap and carabiner, this comes to $39 and is under the price of the Ring power pin. This is the right pin to get if you get the pinch blocks, cannonballs, and grandfather grips for lifts. You can also use the power ring which makes the weights swing a little more when lifted which adds complexity. If you are preparing to lift the Dinnie rings, get the power pin rather than hooking the carabiners directly up to the loading pin. This is a better predictor of the true load.

For any weekend warrior, heavy kettlebells are probably the way better option. They cost less and can also be combined with carabiners for farmers walks and holds. The only downside is that you can not load them incrementally. But that is beside the point if you do not have space, want, or money for plates anyway.

Conclusion for the Rogue ring power pin

I think that the Rogue ring power pin is better to buy than the T bar power pin if you have to make yourself choose. It is more versatile and cost the same. Of course, why make yourself choose and just get both. If you do not have plates, it is probably more economical to get the grip system from rogue and two to three different denominations of kettlebells as that is more space-efficient and leaves you with a wider range of exercises.

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:

Multi-Use Attachment for Back Workouts
15+ Adjustable Positions
Length: 5.5" (Lower Handles) / 4.25" (Upper Handles)
Diameter: 1.25" (Handles)
Weight: 9.25 LBS
Carabiner Slot for Attachments: 9/16” wide x 1” tall
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

The pros of the back widow are:

Versatility
High-quality build
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

The cons of the back widow are:

Price
Weight
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

Alternatives to the back widow are:

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.