Rogue branch and beam vs Dinnie ring set

This is a comparison between the Rogue branch and beam 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:

Strongman Rings - Grip Strength, Ring Lifting Exercises
Sold In Pairs
Hand-Forged in Logan, OH
American Steel construction
Large and Small Size Options
No 2 Rings are Identical

You will get two rings, one small, one big. Use them wisely.

Pros of the Dinnie ring set

Pros of the dinnie ring set:

Hardcore
Bets preparation for the dinnie ring lift

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

Cons of the dinnie ring set:

Almost certain to rip a callus or two
Cumbersome setup

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

Alternatives to the Dinnie ring set are:

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 branch and beam

This is an overview of the Rogue branch and beam 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 branch and beam

Price: $170

The branch and beam are bars from rogue which have been made extra fat. The branch has a round grip, while the beam has a square grip. These two bars are a great alternative to the traditional 28-29mm bars and a bit closer to the unconventional lifts you can find in strongman competitions. This will also help with your grip strength in general. The specifications of the two bars are:

The Rogue Branch Fat Bar
Round grip
Outside Diameter: 3"
Bar Length: 80.5"
Bar Weight: 39LB

The Rogue Beam Fat Bar
Square grip
Fat Grip is 3x3”
Bar Length: 80.5"
Bar Weight: 41LB

These are great additions to a fully equipped gym that looks for more options to entertain their clients or a strongman home gym who wants to be prepared for anything.

Pros of the branch and beam

The pros of the branch and beam are:

Safe to use
Easy to load
Easy to store

The branch and beam are two options to challenge your grip for heavy lifts with unconventional setups. They can be stored on a regular barbell gun rack, are easy to load, and are safer to use than an actual tree trunk or wooden beam. Compared to other more cumbersome solutions to the problems they solve they are a preferable option.

Cons of the branch and beam

The cons of the branch and beam are:

No knurling
Issues with the finish
Narrow use cases

For bars with very limited use cases, unless you really make a point about using them, they are eating up quite a bit of space to become a gimmick. As these bars also not go through the standard quality tests for all barbells from rogue, some of them lack in quality. Especially during COVID where some extra people were hired.

Alternatives to the branch and beam

Alternatives to the branch and beam are:

Fat gripz are an easy and cheap way to turn a barbell into a branch. These are made of plastic and can be wrapped around the bar to make it thicker.

Pinch blocks can be used to simulate the beam. Combined with straps and a carabiner you can hook up kettlebells, dumbbells, and barbells to your liking.

Log bars are an essential training tool for strongman athletes as no competition goes without a log bar lift. The neutral grip also challenges the regular deadlift setup.

Conclusion for the branch and beam

The branch and beam are great tools for serious strongman athletes or gyms who like to mix things up regularly. With pinch blocks and fat gripz you can simulate similar stress to the body, without eating up as much space in your home gym.