Rogue branch and beam vs Rogue ring power pin

This is a comparison between the Rogue branch and beam and 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.

Related articles

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 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.