Rogue anvil grip vs Dinnie ring set
This is a comparison between the Rogue anvil grip and the Dinnie ring set 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 Dinnie ring set
This is an overview of the Rogue dinnie ring set 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 Dinnie ring set
Price: $45
The
dinnie ring set is not for the faint-hearted. You will get bare metal rings which are anything but smooth. These have been modeled after the famous
dinnie stones in Scotland which have been a legend to lift among strongmen for decades. As such they are handmade from metal and show their raw finish. The specifics of these rings are:
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Strongman Rings - Grip Strength, Ring Lifting Exercises
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Sold In Pairs
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Hand-Forged in Logan, OH
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American Steel construction
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Large and Small Size Options
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No 2 Rings are Identical
You will get two rings, one small, one big. Use them wisely.
Pros of the Dinnie ring set
If you use these rings as handles for most of your lifts, you will not fail in competition on grip strength. Almost any kind of handle you will face in a strongman competition will be smoother and more forgiving on your hands unless it is an ancient metal like the handles of the dinnie stones themselves. If you want to lift these stones, the
dinnie rings re also the best way to prepare for it.
Cons of the Dinnie ring set
As these rings are not smooth and unfinished they will rip some calluses and hurt some hands. Just be sure that you have the kind of clients that take rawness over comfort in their training. Otherwise, you might get some puzzled looks or members canceling their subscription. As with most rings, it takes getting used to how to set up the straps and loop them to a carabiner to make it work.
Alternatives to the Dinnie ring set
The
gymnastic wooden rings might be the better choice if you want round handles for some lifts, but be easy on the hands. These can also be used for several calisthenics exercises.
The
Rogue echo rings are a more economical alternative to the gymnastic wood rings. If you buy in bulk these are the better option. If you buy for yourself tread you to the feel of wood. It's worth it.
If you are looking into the
Dinnie rings for strongman purposes you can also opt for the
Rogue ring power pin. This will be easier to set up for your lifts and be more forgiving on your hands.
Conclusion for the Dinnie ring set
The
dinnie rings are a very specialized application of strength. They can be fun, but can also turn into a pain in the backside when you do not know how to use them. If you are already familiar with working with straps and carabiners on your strength training, this is a nice addition to your arsenal. If you aren't, stay way clear of them.
Overview and review of the Rogue anvil grip
This is an overview of the Rogue anvil grip 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 Anvil grip
The
rogue anvil grip simulates a time old feat of strength. Many attempted to lift an
anvil by the horn. The cone shape of the
anvil grip simulates this. To increase the weight you can attach it to a loading which Rogue sells separately. The specifications of the
anvil grip are:
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Made in the USA
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Machined from a Solid Piece of Steel
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Weight (Unloaded): 12.33 LBS
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Length: 11” (Anvil itself), 13.5” (Anvil + Eye Bolt)
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Tapered Cone-Shape design: 3” dia. at the base, 0.75” dia. at top
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Eye Bolt at the base for attaching weight via loading pin (pin sold separately)
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Engraved Rogue branding
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Finish Options: Bare Steel or Black Oxide
This is a solid piece of steel to varying your deadlift and grip strength.
Pros of the anvil grip
Good quality
Simple design
Challenge for the grip
This is a great tool for working on your grip strength. The cone shape gives you a different challenge than the usual bar grippers most people use. A great addition for someone who almost has everything but wants to challenge his or her grip even further.
Cons of the anvil grip
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Needs plates and pin to function
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Very specialized equipment
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High likelihood to gather dust
While these are a good addition to an existing for someone who is serious about grip strength, for some others this might just be a fun little purchase that is ultimately money down a hole. Be sure you have the plates and you are also investing in a
loading pin. Once you are of this mindset you will probably also get the
dinnie rings and other grip attachments from Rogue. For someone who is very busy or not dedicated to grip strength this can be a purchase that will lie around in your gym more than you use it.
Alternatives of the anvil grip
For the average Joe, a set of
pinch grip and
cannonball grip handles are probably the better choices. They are easier to handle with
kettlebells or to hang from your
rack. Therefore they do not necessarily need a
loading pin to function. This gives you more versatility for a little more spend then for the
anvil grip.
The
dinnie rings are the ultimate hardcore grip strength test from Rogue. If you want to train in the highest levels you will probably get the
anvil grip and the
dinnie rings. If I had to choose between the two, which I wouldn’t as I am a sucker for complete training sets, I would go for the
dinnie rings instead of the
anvil grip as it is the cooler record to chase.
Conclusion for the anvil grip
The
anvil grip is a must-have for any serious strongman or strength athlete who is serious about their grip. It is cheaper to co nine the
anvil grip with a
loading pin than to get
anvils of different weights. If you want to save money and start out with grip strength training I would recommend going with a combination of
pinch blocks and
cannonballs first and then graduate to
dinnie rings and the
anvil at a later point when those get to easy / you have reached your goals on those.