Rogue dog bone pull up bar vs grandfather clock grip
This is a comparison between the Rogue dog bone pull up bar and the grandfather clock 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 and review of the Rogue Grandfather clock grip system
This is an overview of the Rogue Grandfather clock grip system 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 Grandfather Clock grip system
Price: $56.50
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Made in the USA
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Length: 6"
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Diameter: 1.875"
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Steel tube with welded loop
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Available to order with Rogue Grip System (straps and carabiners)
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Color: Black
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Knurling: None
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Applications: Towel Grip Pull-Ups, Farmer’s Carries, and more
This is a great addition to any gym framed by the rogue grip system. Ideally, you get all components in the set.
Pros of the Grandfather clock grip system
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Versatile
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Easy to use
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Cheap
Compared to other options to train your strength, the
grandfather clock grip is relatively cheap. It can also be attached to various weights or
racks using the strap and carabiner system from Rogue. This makes it easy to use, install, and transport. Not a lot you can do wrong with these.
Cons of the grandfather clock grip system
The
grandfather clock system is a great way to simulate
rope climbs if you have low ceilings. Still, they are not a
rope and therefore provide only a simulation and not the real thing. The grips will also be quite wobbly. If you don’t like this in your training go with an alternative that is attached to the
rack like the
spheres or the
crown pull up bar. Apart from all of this, if you have a big gym, travel a lot, or have a lot of people using these grips, it is easy to lose them.
Alternatives to the grandfather clock grip system
The
Rogue climbing cross-member simulates a
climbing wall on your
rogue rack. A couple of these will work best when installed on a longer rig or daisy-chained
racks. This setup is only minimally more expensive at $85 and provides stable grips which will be more challenging for your finger strength. This is the better option when you want to train for actual climbing and you do not want to get every tool under the sun.
A
climbing rope is a classic tool to train grip and arm strength. A good
rope climber always has a strong grip, too. When I used to do Judo semi-professionally we always ended the session with ten
ropes in camp. They are a great tool as long as you have a high ceiling. If you do not have a high ceiling or want to avoid heights, then the
grandfather grips are an alternative, but no replacement for the real thing.
The
crown pull up bar is the best pull up attachment you can get for your
rack. In terms of value for money, you get many different grip variations for only $225. If you were to buy all the attachments to get to the same amount of variety you would pay more. You will get narrow, wide, and neutral pull-up setups and two different sized
spheres.
The
cannonball and
pinch blocks are better options if you already have a
climbing rope and want to save money. I see the
pinch blocks,
cannonball grips, and
grandfather as a whole to be bought together and not separately. However, that can bring the bill to $300 -$500, which not everyone is willing to pay. If you get the whole set for your home gym, you will not regret it as it is versatile and keeps grip training interesting.
Conclusion for the grandfather clock grip system
As with all the steel products from rogue the
dog bone is so one in its design and excellent in its execution. You get many grip variations on one compact surface to use in your home gym or commercial gym for a comparatively low price when you get the separate tools. As the finish is the same as for rogue
kettlebells and other metal you will also have a good grip.
As this design is very compact it is very easy to be on a part of the
dog bone that is neither straight nor a
sphere, but somewhere in between.
Climbers might like this but for lifters, that is not really ideal. It will also be hard to use two
Dog bones in two weights so the assumption is that you will always lift one weight with two hands. This limits options compared to
cannonballs or
pinch blocks considerably that come in free moving pairs.
The
crown pull up bar is pricier and also needs to be attached to the
rack. So it assumes that you already have invested in a home gym whereas the
dog bone also can work by itself. That being said, if your main interest is pull-ups and hanging holds, the
Crown pull up bar is far superior to the
dog bone. The distinction between bar and
sphere is clearer. You also have different sized
spheres and angled bars for a truckload if pull up variations. If you have a
rack, spend the extra money, it’s worth it.
If you are looking into the
dog bone to increase your grip strength rather than improving your pull-ups than the
cannonball grips might be the better option. You get a pair of them for a lower price and they form perfect
spheres. As you can order them with carabiners and steals you can hook them up with many different weights to vary your training. This makes your training more symmetrical and does not assume that you always have both hands on the weight like with the
dog bone.