Parallettes are a fantastic addition to your home gym. And if you’re looking for the best parallettes for calisthenics and handstands, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll discuss the four best options currently available, so you can make an informed choice.
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Our favorite: Gornation premium parallettes
Don’t want to read the full blog post and just want to know the best option on the market? Go for the premium parallettes by Gornation. This calisthenics brand is renowned for its high-quality products, and these parallettes are no exception.
What are Parallettes?
Parallettes are one of the most versatile and popular pieces of calisthenics equipment available. They can be used for a variety of exercises, from pure strength training to acrobatic tricks.
Parallettes consist of two parallel bars attached to a base. They are excellent for bodyweight exercises and are often used for handstands, push-ups, and many other calisthenics exercises.
Suitable for both beginners and advanced practitioners, parallettes are ideal for mentally and physically preparing for training handstands at greater heights, such as the parallel bars in gymnastics.
What are the best parallettes?
The best ones are sturdy and durable, allowing you to train on them safely. They should also be lightweight enough to carry to the gym or outdoors, and easy to set up and dismantle. Finally, they should be affordable.
That’s why we’ve compiled this list of the 4 best sets for calisthenics, handstands, and handstand push-ups.
4x Best paralettes
In the list below, you’ll find our favorite sets of various types, materials, heights, and price ranges.
#1 Gornation premium parallettes
On top of our list: the Gornation high parallettes. The 40mm treated wooden handles provide optimal grip and wrist support. With a height of 30cm and weighing 5.6kg, they’re perfectly sized for all calisthenics and bodyweight exercises.
Lastly these are delivered with high quality grip tape. To optimise your grip during training.
#2 Gornation premium dip bars
The Gornation dip bars are a good choice for anyone seeking stable high parallettes. The 50cm long base feet provide an impressive level of stability.
And the addition of the rubber end caps further enhances grip, allowing for confident use on various surfaces.
These parallettes are well-suited for a range of strength training and calisthenics-style exercises, with the 4cm diameter bar offering comfort and reducing strain, enabling longer and more effective workouts. They are simple to assemble, and all the required tools are included.
#3 Yes4All wooden parallettes
If you’re on a budget then the Yes4All wooden parallettes are the best pick. These parallettes are sturdy with long handles. Made of solid wood, they can hold up to 300 lbs and look great. The smooth handles are comfortable and prevent slipping. An anti-slip mat on the base keeps them steady. They’re compact and easy to use, good for indoor and outdoor workouts.
#4 Gornation Low Parallettes
Gornation Low Parallettes offer stability and control during workouts. Featuring a 40mm wood surface, they provide a comfortable grip while reducing strain on the wrists.
Their compact design makes them portable and suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. Plus, with their durable construction and included anti-slip feet, you can trust in their reliability.
#5 PULL-UP & DIP Fitness Parallettes
These black Pull-up & Dip Fitness Parallettes are, in our opinion, the top steel parallettes available. Boasting a 4.4cm grip thickness, they provide a comfortable handhold. Weighing 5.6kg and supporting up to 200kg, they offer robust stability.
What materials are used for parallettes?
Parallettes are crafted from a variety of materials. While wood is a common choice for the parallel bars, it’s not the only option available. Variants made from metal, wood, and even PVC can be found. Whether you opt to purchase them or prefer a DIY approach, PVC is often the preferred choice for those looking to construct their own.
What sizes of parallettes are available?
In general, parallettes come in three different sizes: low, medium-height, and high. The low variant sits directly on the ground (8-12cm), the medium-height stands at approximately 30 centimeters tall, and the high variant, often referred to as a dip station or equalizer, reaches around 80 – 90 centimeters in height.
Each of these sizes offers its own set of advantages, so it’s important to carefully consider your training goals before investing in a set.
Advantages low parallattes
#1 Ideal for training push-ups
#2 Facilitates easier handstand training
#3 Provides greater stability by keeping you closer to the ground
#4 Easy to take with you while traveling
Advantages high parallattes
#1 Allows for significantly more exercises to be trained
#2 Provides more space for regressions in the planche and L-sit
#3 Offers more overlap with the parallel bars used in gymnastics
What type of parallettes to pick?
When looking for the best parallettes for calisthenics or handstands, it’s important to know which brands are reputable, which exercises you intend to perform with them, and what size/height suits you best.
Excercises
The main choice for the type (primarily height) is based on the exercises you intend to practice. With low and medium-height bars, you can perfect the handstand. However, these bars are also ideal for exercises such as the planche, push-ups, L-sit, and V-sit.
If you plan to use the parallettes to get accustomed to the parallel bars, with the aim of training on the parallel bars in the future, it may even be wise to purchase both medium-height and high bars. This way, you can gradually adjust to the height at which you train handstands.
Load capacity
Not all paralettes have the same weight capacity. Therefore, it’s wise to select a variant that matches your requirements. There’s a significant difference between usage by a 40kg child versus an adult weighing over 80kg. Hence, always consider the weight capacity when making your selection.
Material
As mentioned earlier, parallettes are available in various materials. Select a material that suits your needs best. For example, if you intend to leave the parallettes outside frequently, it might be wise to avoid wood, as it tends to degrade more quickly under such conditions.
Size and width
The width of the parallettes is an important factor to consider. If you have large or small hands, it’s preferable to have parallel bars that accommodate them comfortably. Additionally, it’s crucial to assess the size of the base, as it determines stability.
excercises with paralettes
With parallettes, you can train a wide variety of exercises. Not only handstands and their progressions, such as the one-arm handstand and handstand push-ups, are possible, but also many core exercises like the L-sit, as well as chest and arm exercises. In the video below, you can find direct inspiration for your parallette workout.