Rogue power pin vs cannonball grips
This is a comparison between the Rogue power pin and the cannon ball grips 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 cannonball grips
This is an overview of the Rogue Cannonball grips 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 Rogue cannonball grips
Price $47.25 - $67.50
The
Rogue cannonball grips are a great tool to develop better grip strength. They are versatile and can be attached to a
rack,
kettlebell,
dumbbell, or
barbell. They come with a 3" diameter and in black or tan color. You can opt to get a carabiner and strap set with it or just the balls themselves. The full specifications are:
These are a must for any gym that is serious about strength. Versatile, cheap, and fun to use.
Pros of the Rogue cannonball grips
I am personally a huge fan of the
cannonball grips as they are good for beginners but can also be used by pros in as many setups as you can come up with. By having less and less of your hand and fingers touch the
cannonballs while doing your exercises you can modulate how hard this exercise becomes. Look beyond just gripping the ball in full and you will have a training tool for life for as cheap as a big feast at the fast-food chain of your choice.
Cons of the Rogue cannonball grips
-
Set up
-
Organic weight lift
-
Easy to lose parts
As these need to be set up with straps and a carabiner this is not for everyone. The weights can sometimes hang awkwardly from the balls, depending on how symmetrical the load is. Some people will welcome this as an additional challenge while others will smash in their chins. In addition to that, the parts can be easily lost, especially when people do not take care. If you want to offer grip training without these hassles, the
rack attached
spheres are a better option.
Alternatives to the Rogue cannonball grips
The
Rack mounted spheres are a little more expensive and work with the Monster lite and Infinity series of Rogue. These
spheres will be stable and also will not get lost. If you want a stationary setup for grip training with
spheres, this is the better option, as long as you have something to attach them to.
The
crown pull up bar is the king attachment for straight pull-ups. If you are all about improving your straight pull-ups with different grips, this attachment for the monster lite or monster
rack has it all. It comes in at $225 and is a great piece of equipment for a home gym to cover all the bases. The only downside is that it is not great for kipping pull-ups.
If you are into climbing and consider the
cannonballs for this purpose you might be better off with the wall climbing cross-member for $85. You get a lot more grip variations than with the
cannonballs for just a little more money. The downside is that they can not be attached to other weights.
Conclusion for the Rogue cannonball grips
The
cannonball grips are a must-have for anyone who wants to get a great grip. Home gym owners can start with this for all kind of carries and pull-ups. Commercial gym owners will find that the
cannonballs are the most accessible tool for beginners to get into grip strength training. The
grandfather clock grips can be too slippy and not everyone likes using chalk.
Captains of Crush grippers can be harsh on the hands and too challenging.
The
Rogue Power pin is a simple tool for narrow grip deadlifts like the power stairs or duck walks. It is mainly a tool for strongmen training and can also be used to improve your grip in general. It can be loaded up to 500lbs and there is also a ring attachment for it for $50. This is a practical, small tool to especially train weight holds in your home gym or simulate some strongman events. The full specifications are:
With these kinds of tools, it is all about making them easy to use and fit well with the plates. Rogue did a good job on the detail which otherwise can turn something simple into something useless. If you are considering a
trap bar a
power pin is cheaper and more fun to use.
The
power pin can only be loaded to 500lb. While this is more than enough for most humans, this is a tool that will also raise interest for the strongest among us. They may want something that can take even more weight. In addition, the only thing you will do with the
power pin is to pull something off the floor. For $140 you have other options like jumping ropes or slam balls that can be used in more ways.
The
rogue trap bar would be another way to vary your deadlift and grip training. A
trap bar would still enable you to lift the weight with your arms outside the legs. This is usually a better variation for beginners. A
trap bar can also be loaded with more weight. Downsides to a
trap bar are the bigger price tag and space requirements.
The
anvil grip attachment is an interesting twist on deadlifts and holds. You will need a
power pin to make it work but it will be worth it. It is shaped like a cone and comes in two different colors, black, and chrome. This is a great tool to collect with other grip strength utensils to let nothing escape your hands.
If you want to get your core more rigid to be able to pick up things from the ground faster and stronger you can also get a decently sized
MK D-ball. For the budget of the
power pin, you can get a 40lb to
50lb ball. This leaves with more options for carries, slams, ball to shoulders, and similar exercises. The downside is that the ball can not be adjusted for weight and trains your grip less.
The
dinnie rings are more an accessory to the
power pin rather than an alternative. The
dinnie rings in combination with two pins are probably the best way to simulate the famous Scottish stone lift at home and prepare for it.
The
rogue power pin is a cost and space-efficient way to mix up your deadlift and grip training if you already have the necessary plates. If you are only starting your grip strength journey you might be better off buying
pinch blocks and
cannonballs to start as you will not need Kanye’s to make them work.