Rogue Multi-Grip cable attachment vs grandfather clock system

This is a comparison between the Multi grip cable attachment and 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.

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

The grandfather clock grip system is part of the grip system of Rogue. This system includes the Pinch blocks, cannonballs grips, grandfather clock, and globe. The grandfather attachments are one of the easiest out of the line up to master whereas the pinch blocks and the globe are at the harder end of the spectrum. The full specifications of this item are:

Made in the USA
Length: 6"
Diameter: 1.875"
Steel tube with welded loop
Available to order with Rogue Grip System (straps and carabiners)
Color: Black
Knurling: None
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

Pros of the grandfather clock grip system:

Versatile
Easy to use
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

Cons of the grandfather clock grip system are:

Unstable
Shorter than a climbing rope
Easy to lose

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

Alternatives to the grandfather clock grip system are:

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

The grandfather clock grip system is the best option from rogue to compress rope climbing into a confined. Combined with the pinch blocks and cannonballs you get a powerful grip orchestra. If you have space, hang a rope from your high ceiling to get even better results.

Overview and review of the Rogue Multi-Grip cable attachment

This is an overview of the Rogue Multi grip cable attachment 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 Multi-grip Attachment

Price: $175

The Rogue Multi-grip cable attachment is the big mamma of the cable attachments from Rogue. It weighs in at 25.5lb and is based on the multi-grip bar designs from Rogue. This cable attachment is a great tool for strongmen or powerlifters who like to train on the westside method and have push/pull days. In a strong gym, you will have fans. If you own a commercial gym with clients who are mainly focused on fitness and weight loss, then this attachment might be oversized. The full specifications are:

Made in the USA
Compatible with most Lat Pull Down / Low Row machines
Length: 48"
Width: 7" depth
Height: 8.25"
(8) Knurled Handles: 1.31" OD, spaced at 12" - 23.375" - 34.75" and 46.125"
(2) End Plates: 0.1875" laser cut steel w/ laser-cut Rogue logo on each
Black Carabiner included
Finish: Standard Textured Black Powder Coat

This is a well made, heavy-duty cable attachment where you get what you buy. In most gyms, it will mostly lie in the corner, unless you are massive yourself or have multiple towers to work with.

Pros of the Multi-grip Attachment

The pros of the Multi-grip cable attachment are:

Very wide grip possible
Grip variation on the usual stainless steel bar
Simulates strongman scenarios better

If you are big, you need bigger toys. That is just how it goes. The multi-grip attachment delivers just that. Compared to a usual stainless lat bar you can also work with a grip variation in very heavy pulls. The handles are also closer to anything that you might face when someone welded on a handle to a heavy object. A lot of fun to be had for $175.

Cons of the Multi-grip Attachment

The cons of the Multi-grip attachment are:

Very heavy
You probably already have a bar
Not versatile

If you are not big or use this in a fitness-focused gym it is quite heavy to get on the tower. Especially if you only have one or two for attachment are regularly swapped. If you have a four-way tower setup where you can permanently install it, it is a good option, but not when people have to lift it themselves. If you bought a lat pull machine chances are big that you already have a stainless steel bar. That is more than enough for most mortals, so why spend more money on the multi-grip attachment. If you buy more equipment you might look into a back widow or small handles that you can use to pull in different directions.

Alternatives to the Multi-grip Attachment

Alternatives to the Multi-grip cable attachment are:

The back widow can be a great addition to your gym line up or replace the Stainless lat bar you might already now. The back widow is versatile and can be used in many different configurations from wide to narrow including different hand positions. It can also be used as a T-Bar row handle for a barbell and deadlift jack. The only thing not to like about the back widow is the price of $300. A great option for a home gym with a dedicated user.

The Stainless lat bar is the standard lat bar from Rogue that comes with the CT1 or Monster lat pulldown machines. If you want more of these, lost the one that came with your purchase, or acquired a lat pull machine without a bar, this is the safe option.

A simple handle can also do wonders. These are usually $20-$30 and can be used for more applications than the Multi-grip Cable attachment. With a simple handle, you can use your pulley in many different directions. The only downside is that this is not made for very heavy pulls and is also not as much fun.

Conclusion for the Rogue Multi-grip cable attachment

This is a great option for very big athletes or for a commercial gym that wants to offer some variety on many different weight stack towers. Most home gym users who already own a lat pull-down will have a bar and not really have a need for this, unless for fun or as a nice treat for a birthday, Christmas, or another occasion as men always like their new toys.