Rogue wrist roller vs pinch blocks

This is a comparison between the Rogue wrist roller and the 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.

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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.

Overview and review of the Rogue wrist roller

This is an overview of the Rogue wrist roller 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 wrist roller

Price: $65 -$105

The Rogue wrist roller is their take on the classic strength tool to develop a better grip and forearms. Many have used one or even built one themselves. As with all products from Rogue, this is just a bigger version of what you would normally get from an average fitness supplier. The rogue wrist roller can be used free-standing or attached to a Monster lite or Infinity rack. The full specifications of the Rogue wrist roller are:

Made in the USA
Available in Handheld or Rack-Mounted options
Rackmount Roller compatible with 3x3" Monster Lite Series and 2x3" Infinity Series (using retro-fit kit)
Total Length: 15.5" freestanding, 17.5" rack mount
Handles: 2” diameter, 6" handle width on either side of strap housing
Strap: Black Nylon, 58.5”, includes carabiner that can hook back to the strap after the weight is loaded
Color: Black

This is a solid wrist roller which is especially interesting for someone who does not like the cheaper wooden and plastic ones that you would normally get, still come there are other things you can spend your money on with Rogue.#

Pros of the rogue wrist roller

Pros of the Rogue wrist roller are:

Overbuilt
Rack-mountable
Does not look cheap

The challenge with most wrist rollers is that they just look like cheap toys. They do the trick but they are just awkward tools that me your home gym look more cluttered with things flying about. Not so much with the Rogue wrist roller. This will fit in nicely with your existing rogue equipment and will look professional. The Rackmount makes it possible to go very heavy on the wrist rolling if you are experienced.

Cons of the rogue wrist roller

Cons of the Rogue wrist roller are:

Price
Simple product

The challenge with the wrist roller is the price. As it is something very simple to build yourself or get very cheap at your local shop, you might as well spent your money on something else from Rogue to train your strength. For $60 - $100, you can get cannonballs, pinch blocks, or the grandfather clock grips.

Alternatives to the rogue wrist roller

Alternatives to the Rogue wrist roller are:

The cannonball grips are one of the easier grip training tools from Rogue. They are roughly the same price as the Rogue wrist roller and can be attached to kettlebells, dumbbells, barbells. They are also a great variation on pull-ups and good for beginners in grip strength who want to start mixing things up a little without getting frustrated.

The Rogue pinch blocks take grip training to the next level. As you take your palms out of the equation these tools of the trade are hard to master even for experienced strength athletes. You can use them to hang from or attach them to kettlebells, dumbbells, and barbells. The pinch grip blocks are a great tool and present for someone who has most of the other strength tools and wants to get even better.

That grandfather clock grips are also part of Rogue's grip strength tool ensemble. This is an easier attachment to work with for beginners.

Conclusion for the rogue wrist roller

If you want a fancy wrist roller, this one is for you. As with everything with Rogue, this is overbuilt, solid and will look like quality. Still, a wrist roller is easily gotten in a lovely fitness shop that is made DIY. If you go through the trouble of ordering from Rogue I would lean more towards cannonballs, pinch blocks, and grandfather grips.