Rogue power pin vs pull up spheres

This is a comparison between the Rogue power pin and the monster lite pull up spheres 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 monster lite pull up spheres

This is an overview of the Rogue Monster pull up spheres 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 Rogue monster lite pull up spheres

Price: $57.50

The rogue monster pull up spheres are compatible with the monster lite and I do its racks and rigs from Rogue. You can combine several spheres on a rig to create a nice climbing Parcours or attach them to your rack to train your grip. The spheres are available in two sizes for progression. The full specifications of the spheres are:

Made in America
Diameter options: 5"
Sold in Pairs
9-gauge Steel Construction with Black Powdercoat
Compatible with standard RML-3, RML-4, RML-6 Power Racks and Monster Lite Rigs with XML-70 Beam or 43" Monster Lite crossmembers
Thread optimized for 3" depth tubing of a crossmember/upright with 0.625" diameter holes
For safety reasons, any rack should be securely fastened to the ground before using Pull-Up Spheres

This is a little extra, especially in a facility with a long rig to switch things around a little.

Pros of the rogue monster lite pull up spheres

The pros of the rogue monster lite pull up spheres are:

Cheap
Compact
Nice switch up

The monster lite spheres are relatively cheap for Rogue equipment. At $50 you get a nice pair which will do you or your clients a great service for getting a better grip. They are easy to install and can be lit in different places, especially in a big rig or daisy-chained racks. They are also a nice alternative to a regular pull up bar.

Cons of the rogue monster lite pull up spheres

Cons of the rogue monster lite spheres are:

Need to be attached to a rack
Not compatible with monster series

Compared to other grip strength options the spheres only work in conjunction with a rack. That makes their use cases limited compared to the very similar cannonball grips. You can also not use them with the rogue monster series which is currently taking over the Rogue Production lines.

Alternatives to the rogue monster lite pull up spheres

Alternatives to the rogue monster lite pull up spheres are:

The crown pull up bar comes in at $225-$255 depending on your type of rack. With this, you get two different sized spheres and all the straight pull up setups you can think of. The only downsides are the price and that it is not great for kipping pull-ups. This is a great option for any home gym owner to make the most of their space.

The cannonball grips are al ist the same idea as the spheres with the bonus that they can also be attached to barbells, kettlebells, and dumbbells. If you are more thinking about your grip strength than developing a better pull up, these might be the more versatile option with a very similar outcome. You will also not need to have a rack to attach them to.

The rogue climbing crossmember comes in at $85 and can be attached to the monster ted lite or monster series of Rogue. If you wanted to provide climbing options for your existing rig, this is the better option than the spheres. You pay minimally more and get many more grip options. For home gyms this probably the inferior choice as they usually lack the width or height to make the climbing crossmember fun.

Conclusion for the rogue monster lite pull up spheres

The pull up spheres are a nice addition in a corner of a big rig where you do not know what else to do to make it a little more exciting. They are also a good option when you want something a little wider in diameter than the cannonball grips. Otherwise, a crown pull up bar and/ cannonball might be the better investment for a home gym and the climbing crossmember for a commercial gym.

Overview and review of the Rogue power pin

This is an overview of the Rogue 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.

Overview of the Rogue power pin

Price: $136.50

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:

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 small amount of money well spent to put some variety into your deadlift training.

Pros of the Rogue power pin

Pros of the rogue power pin are:

Good price

Simple effective tool

Good finish

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.

Cons of the rogue power pin

Cons of the rogue power pin are:

Only loadable to 500lbs
Not versatile

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.

Alternatives to the Rogue power pin

Alternatives to the rogue power pin are:

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.

Conclusion for the Rogue power pin

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.