Working out with thick barbells and fat dumbbells can help you develop your grip strength and forearm strength, which will, in turn, help the rest of your body gain more muscle and power. To take your exercise to the next level and get the most out of it, let's take a look at how the best grips for barbell and dumbbell can help you improve your training.
Top 6 Best Grips for Barbell and Dumbbell Reviewed
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1. Fat Gripz Pro — Top Pick
- Color: Black, Blue, Orange, Pink
- Weight: 1.1 lbs
- Length: 2.36 in
- Material: Rubber
- Outer Diameter: 1.75 in, 2.25 in, and 2.75 in
- Inner Diameter: 1.1 in
- Suitable for: barbells, dumbbells, cable equipment
The first of its kind and the one who initiated everything. Numerous weightlifters, as well as professional athletes, CrossFitters, expert bodybuilders, and a wide variety of other fitness enthusiasts are using Fat Gripz.
They can be used for pull-ups, for farmer's walks, deadlifts and so on; regardless of what your goals are at the gym, these bar thickeners will help you achieve them.
These are offered for purchase by Fat Gripz in three different sizes, ranging from 1.75" to the extreme-level 2.75" Gripz, which are intended for top lifters who already have a big set of mitts.
This particular thick grip for barbell has a texturing that is analogous to the knurling that is found on barbells. You will have a thicker, more secure fat grip bench press and overall training experience with Fat Gripz since they attach to the bar through a clip and provide you loads of bar stability while also preventing sliding and slippage.
Positives:
Durable
Variety of size options
Famous brand
Could be better:
A bit more expensive than some other alternatives on the list
2. Iron Bull Strength Alpha Grips 2.0 — Runner Up
- Color: Black
- Weight: 0.95 lb
- Length: 5.16
- Outer Diameter: 2 in, 2.5 in, and 3 in
- Suitable for: barbells, dumbbells, cable equipment
Although thick grips are intended to give a no-slip grip, some products will make your hands more likely to sweat and slip than others. When it comes to non-slip grip, Iron Bull Strength Alpha grips are the best. The Iron Bull thick grip dumbbells will stick to the bar and your hand like no other.
These thick grips are composed of a premium rubber composition that provides for a more stable grip and has a more matte surface than silicone. Each grip also has embossed logos and indentations that help prevent slipping.
Despite having a cylindrical appearance, these grips stand out from similar goods because of their ergonomic construction. This enables a more suitable hand location, which may improve the comfort of your fat grip exercise.
The Iron Bull Alpha Grips are a solid choice for most lifters and one of the best dumbbell grips because of its 2" diameter. Since they aren't overly thick and have an ergonomic design, even some novices in fat grip training may use them without discomfort.
They work nicely with hex dumbbells with rounded handles and barbells with diameters of 25mm and 28mm. They cannot be used with PowerBlock dumbbells because they are too lengthy.
Positives:
Better grip because of matte material
- Embossed logo and grooves make them easier to hold
- Versatility of uses (dumbbells, barbells, cable equipment)
- Ergonomic and comfortable
Could be better:
Do not fit on PowerBlock dumbbells
- Color: Black, Blue
- Weight: 1.1 lb
- Length: 5 in
- Outer Diameter: 2.5 in
- Inner Diameter: 1 in
- Suitable for: barbells, dumbbells
One of the best fat grips on the market are the Yes4All Xtreme Grips because they're composed of sturdy, non-compressible rubber and they're easy to put on and take off the barbel.
These fat grips lack texture in comparison to other fat grips. However, it may not be a disadvantage because some people hands slide a lot less with them than with other products that do feature grooves and diamond-shaped patterns.
The grips include two embossed logos that make them simple to grab onto. Because they don't have as many grooves, they're less likely to aggravate your calluses.
These grips are 2.5" in diameter and they're ergonomically formed, which makes them much more comfortable for your hands.
It's a bit tricky to separate them and get them on a barbell or dumbbell, but once they're on, they stay there. The most significant disadvantage is that they do not fit on PowerBlock dumbbells, which may be a disadvantage for home gym owners who do not have round or hex dumbbells.
Positives:
Reasonably priced
Non-compressible rubber material
Non-slip design
Ergonomic and comfortable
Could be better:
Difficult to get on a barbell or dumbbell
- Color: Black, Red
- Weight: 0.8 lbs
- Length: 4.33 in
- Outer Diameter: 1.9 in
- Inner Diameter: 0.9 in
- Suitable for: barbells, dumbbells, cable equipment
The Steelgrips are made of a premium high-density material and as a result, the grips are more durable when compared to less expensive, generic counterparts. They are also less likely to distort or compress while being used.
The diameter of ordinary bars and dumbbells is more than doubled by these fat grips, allowing you to conduct thick bar training for a fraction of the price. For use in any bodybuilding activity, it simply clips on to any standard-sized bars, equipment, and cable attachments. Just stretch the seal open, then position them around the selected piece of equipment.
To make sure you get the most out of your new grips, you receive a complimentary copy of the SteelGrip Thick Bar Training Guide with every purchase of the SteelGrips.
Because the manufacturer is so confident in the product, you can easily contact them and get a full refund if you are not entirely pleased with your Steelgrips for any reason.
Positives:
Easy to attach
Stiff material that won’t compress or distort
Doubles the diameter of the bar
Could be better:
Grip to the bar is not the bestmaterial makeup
- Color: Black, Red
- Weight: 1.2 lb
- Length: 5.25 in
- Outer Diameter: 2 in
- Suitable for: barbells, dumbbells
The DMoose Thick Fat Bar Grips are a great option for lifters with large hands or for those who have a lot of fat grip training experience and looking to advance it.
The DMoose is most likely the toughest fat grip on our list. Although they are constructed of the same silicone as other items, they are less flexible and more robust.
They are a little challenging to attach to the barbell since the silicone isn't very flexible, but once they are, they stay there and don’t slip. To further enhance the design and grip, there are horizontal grooves and an embossed logo that prevent slippage.
The DMoose fat grips' major flaw, like the Yes4All Xtreme Grips', is that they won't fit on adjustable PowerBlock dumbbells. You will be limited to utilizing just these fat grips on your barbell and pull-up bar if you use a home gym and don't have any sets of round or hex dumbbells.
Positives:
Sturdy and durable silicone
Slide resistant
Great horizontal grooves improve the grip
Could be better:
Not great for smaller hands
- Color: Black, Pink, Yellow
- Weight: 0.7 lbs
- Length: 4.6 in
- Outer Diameter: 1.75 in, 2 in
- Inner Diameter: 1 in
- Suitable for: dumbbells, barbells
These thick, non-slip Core Prodigy barbell grips made of military-grade silicone are resistant to a lot of wear and tear. Additionally, they have a distinctive raised edge design that makes it possible for a secure grip which is exactly what makes them one of the best barbell grips on the market.
When you perform hammer curls and reverse grip barbell curls, these are excellent and work well to activate your biceps more than usual.
They are also useful if the very narrow bar on your weights forces you to squeeze too firmly, inflicting wrist pain.
You receive a lifetime warranty when you purchase this item, which is another noteworthy benefit. Bring it to them if you ever have a problem with it, and they will repair it or replace it.
Positives:
Affordable price
Textured exterior for anti-slip grip
Easy to attach
Could be better:
Too large for some people
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What are the Benefits of Grips for Barbell and Dumbbell?
Better Grip and Forearm Strength
Training with a grip for dumbbells or barbells mostly helps one develop stronger grip and forearm muscles. Holding a weight with a greater diameter requires more effort from the hands, especially your forearms.
Training with a grip engages the tiny stabilizer muscles in the hands and wrists, which are underutilized when using a conventionally sized weight. Using grips for training has also been proven to improve electromyography muscle activity (the activation of skeletal muscles) in the forearms and shoulders.
Muscle endurance
Your grip can frequently give out before the rest of your body in sports like CrossFit where you're performing many repetitions of movements like deadlifts and pull-ups.
By strengthening your grip with a fat grip, you can increase your capacity to hold onto the barbell or pull-up bar for longer. This will enable you to work out faster by cutting down on the time you need to take breaks.
Better Hypertrophy in Your Forearms
Training with a grip will help you increase forearm muscle which is great for bodybuilders and anybody else looking to achieve a well-rounded physique.
This is due to the fact that your hands and forearms are put under more strain for a longer length of time, and more time under tension is good for building muscle.
Injury resistant wrists
Wrist injuries are common due to the wrist's weakness and lack of movement. Even though they can't increase mobility, grippers have significant advantages for improving the grip.
If you use a wrist wrap while working out, you should also focus on grip strength training. Use the wrist wraps until your wrist has developed enough strength that you are no longer in need of them.
Portability
The mobility of grippers is one of the most significant advantages of using them. Your forearms and grip can be worked out everywhere as long as you don’t forget to pack these compact grips.
When Do You Need Grips?
What to Look for in Grips?
Material
Size
The grip you pick should be suitable with the size of your hand. Getting too big or too small of a grip might not produce the results you expected. The total length is simply the sum of the lengths of each fat grip. A typical fat grip is 4-5" long and it is unquestionably long enough to fit on the handles of most dumbbells and barbells. The 5" ones, however, might not fit on some models of adjustable dumbbells, such PowerBlock dumbbells.
Each grip's thickness is determined by its outside diameter. The majority of fat grips available have an exterior diameter of between 1.75 and 2.25 inches. Depending on your level of experience and how difficult you want your grip training to be, you should adjust the thickness of your fat grips.
The width of the interior of the grip is referred to as the inner diameter. Generally speaking, you don't want this to be larger than 1" since it wouldn't fit snugly on a barbell.
Comfort
Depending on the design of the grip there are some that are more comfortable and some that are less comfortable. If it’s an ergonomic design which fits your hand perfectly then that type of grip is the right one for you.
Versatility
It’s very important to make sure that the grips you get will be able to fit the dumbbells or barbells you have at your gym. That’s why it’s crucial for the grip you pick to be versatile and easily fit more types of dumbbells and barbells.
Durability
One of the more important things you should take a look at is the durability of the fat grip. You need a fat grip that will be able to handle the weight you are lifting as well as not tear easily because of the pattern on the barbell or dumbbell.
Design
The majority of fat grips have a cylindrical design, but others have an up-and-down or contoured shape for a more comfortable grip. Although less often, certain fat grips can also be spherical in form, which is advantageous for grappling athletes like MMA fighters, rock climbers, and baseball players.
The outside of fat dumbbell handle grips can be smooth or textured. However, some also feature horizontal grooves that are as helpful. The textured ones often have diamond-shaped patterns that allow you to obtain a stronger grip. However, excessive texture might result in calluses, which can be aggravating if you already have rough skin regions from the barbell.
Price/Quality
The price versus quality is basically up to you and your budget. Usually the price reflects the quality of the item so if you’re not on a budget it’s best to go for a renowned brand to make sure you get the right fat grip.
FAQs
Are Dumbbell Grips Worth It?
Absolutely, these are quite cheap training items that won't break the bank but offer several advantages. Regular use of grippers will enhance your forearm endurance, enable you to lift heavier weights, and avoid injuries when lifting heavy things.
How Can I Make My Dumbbells More Grippy?
You can make the dumbbells more grippy by getting dumbbell grips as part of your gym equipment.
Conclusion
Getting one of the best grips for barbell and dumbbell for your next training sessions is definitely worth the investment because you will be able to increase the intensity of your training as well as the amount of muscle fibers involved in each exercise. When you consider the benefits of getting fat grips against the cost of them, the benefits far outweigh the price, making them a great addition to your gym gear. So don’t hesitate to order your Fat Gripz Pro today and start training like the top athlete you are!
Let us know what you think about fat grips for lifting and share your experience with us using the comment section below!
Also read:
References:
- How to Increase Grip Strength for Weightlifting // Verywell Fit:
https://cutt.ly/h1Q6Gv1
- Impact of Fat Grip Attachments on Muscular Strength and Neuromuscular Activation During Resistance Exercise // PubMed:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30694963/ - Resistance training with slow speed of movement is better for hypertrophy and muscle strength gains than fast speed of movement // Unifesp:
https://repositorio.unifesp.br/handle/11600/57564
My name is Ihor and I have been a professional weightlifter since 1996. With over 20 years of competition experience, my resume includes European Champion in 2009 and the silver medalist at 2011's Senior World Championships –105kg division.
I competed at the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics.
After hanging up my own competitive lifting shoes, I decided to share my huge background as a coach. I am currently coaching multiple athletes who are competing at national and international competitions.