Rogue ring power pin vs pinch blocks

This is a comparison between the Rogue Ring power pin and the rogue pinch blocks 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 pinch blocks

This is an overview of the Rogue pinch blocks 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 pinch blocks

Price: $49-$62.50

The Rogue Pinch blocks are simple but effective. They come in three different sizes, 3x3,2x3, and 1.5x4. The thinner the block, the harder it is to hold onto. This is a simple tool that will improve your grip for a long time to come and has many applications. You can hold weights or hand from a rack as long as possible. As with all rogue products the finish is great and they hold chalk well.

Pros of the Rogue pinch blocks

The pros of the rogue pinch blocks are:

Cheap
versatile
Hardcore
Easy on the hands

The pinch blocks are relatively cheap and have a big impact on your grip strength. They are easy to use, as long as you know your way around a carabiner and a strap. Compared to other hardcore training tools for your grip, they are easier on the hands and less likely to rip your calluses and skin on the fingers.

Cons of the Rogue Pinch blocks

Cons of the Rogue pinch blocks are:

Not for beginners
Carabiner and strap setup

Pinch grip blocks are challenging and therefore not for beginners. If you consider buying without any prior experience in grip training, be prepared to get frustrated fast. In this case, you might be better off to get a set of low-level Captain of Crush grippers or the grandfather clock grips. The setup with a carabiner and strap is also not for everyone as it can be fiddly.

Alternatives to the Rogue pinch blocks

Alternatives to the rogue pinch locks are:

The cannonball and grandfather grip have roughly the same price. Both of them are easier for beginners than the Pinch blocks if you want to progress slowly. I personally see them as a set to be bought together to keep things interesting, but not everyone wants to invest that much money from the start for something they are not sure about.

If you prefer to work with a bar rather than an attachment to a random weight than the branch and beam are for you. The branch and beam are bars that have been made fat to be better for grip strength training. They are a good option to train lifts in strongman competitions like lifting wagon wheels or car axles.

Conclusion for the Rogue pinch blocks

The pinch blocks are a must for anyone serious about strength training. They are a good purchase together with the cannonball and grandfather grips. Be aware, that these are the more advanced options and that you will start humbled. With time, your hands will turn into beasts.

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.

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.

Rogue ring power pin vs pinch bocks