Collar Hooks are slip-on hooks that transform any barbell into a resistance band bar.
If you’re into resistance band systems, think X3 bar and Harambe system but you can use your own bar so this is way cheaper!
I can use the hooks on my bars with resistance bands alone or…
Use a combination of weights and bands to play around with strength curves.
Let’s check them out!
Unboxing
The hooks are made of solid metal so there’s not much that can damage them during shipping but it’s nice that they came in bubble wrap.
Here’s what they look like out of the wrapping.
Simple design with a hole for any Olympic sized barbell and an opening on the side to add a resistance band.
This can also be used to hang chains off a barbell if you’re into that type of training.
Specs
- Material: 1/2 thick steel
- Barbell compatibility: Barbells with 2 inch diameter sleeves (4 ft bars, EZ curl bars)
- Resistance band compatibility: Wide base allows for use with resistance bands up to 4 inches wide
What Are Collar Hooks?
Collar Hooks are hooks that fit any 2 inch diameter Olympic style barbell sleeve .
They turn any Olympic short bar into a resistance band bar by allowing me to attach resistance bands to each sleeve for variable resistance.
How To Use Collar Hooks
Slide the hooks on any Olympic sized barbell sleeve, then insert any resistance band through the open side.
For this setup, I like to use my TGrip barbell because it has many grips so I can use it for all types of exercises.
I can use the hooks with resistance bands only or a combination of weight plates and bands.
Then I either step on the bands or I can also slide them under a footplate or slant board.
Top Benefits Of Collar Hooks
Variable Resistance
By adding resistance bands to a bar, I can do barbell exercises with resistance that increases at the end of a rep making it harder.
And if I really want to play around with strength curves, I can combine weight plates and bands at the same time.
Here I’m doing a bent over row and it feels way harder at the top then just using weights alone.
Cost Effective
Because I’m using my own bars and resistance bands, I only have to invest in the hooks so this is more budget friendly than bars with built-in hooks.
Other band bars like the Harambe travel bar start at $159 and that doesn’t include the accessories needed to attach bands to it.
Best Features Of Collar Hooks
Thick Steel
The hooks are made out 1/2″ thick steel so there’s no way they’ll bend or break when they’re under a lot of tension.
I like that they’re round and smooth so they won’t tear up my resistance bands.
Width
I like that the base of the hook is long so I can use thick resistance bands up to 4″ wide.
The band I’m using in the picture above is 1″ wide so you can see how much more room there is for wider bands.
Exercises Using Collar Hooks
Chest Press
I can do chest presses lying on my back or standing up and a thicker band is better for these.
Standing up feels better because I can get more range of motion at the bottom of the rep.
Deadlifts
For deadlifts, I like to combine weights and bands to make it harder at the top.
Bicep Curls
When doing bicep curls, I like that the hooks can rotate freely on the barbell sleeves (just like rotating sleeves) to protect my wrists.
Shoulder Press
Shoulder presses feel real hard at the top because the band gets really stretched out for this one.
Reverse Lunges
Here’s a reverse lunge using a different kind of resistance band with carabiners.
I’ll show you how those bands work with the hooks later on…
Front Squats
And here’s a front squat.
I wouldn’t recommend doing a back squat because it’s awkward to get in and out of the position.
Collar Hooks On Dumbbells?
I’ve seen people use the hooks with loadable dumbbell handles and it seems like they work.
I currently only own adjustable dumbbells so I can’t test this out to say whether I like it or not…
Collar Hooks Pros & Cons
Pros
- Free rotation: They rotate freely around the barbell sleeves so it’s easy on the wrists
- Build: Made out of thick steel so it can take on as much resistance as you can throw on it
- Band compatibility: I can use it with regular resistance bands and bands with carabiners
- Cost: Way less expensive than other resistance band bars out there because I can use any bar I already own
- Smooth edges: Round, smooth edges protect my resistance bands from tearing
Cons
- Standard barbells: I don’t own any Standard sized barbells (1″ diameter sleeves) but these may not be a good fit for people who own them
Collar Hooks Discount Code
The price for a set of collar hooks is $49.95 which is not bad at all considering the insane price other companies charge for similar systems.
I’m always looking for ways to hook you up with a discount code but at the moment I’ve not been able to get one for these.
I’ll update this section if I’m able to get one in the future…
Collar Hooks Alternatives
Vector Athletics Band Buds
Band Buds are very similar to Collar Hooks but they’re chrome and have a slight angle to them.
Set up and use are the same, slide on to the bar sleeve and insert bands into the hooks.
The Band Buds hooks retail for $39.99.
Clench Fitness Barbell Band Hooks
Clench Fitness barbell band hooks work like Collar Hooks but they are over engineered and cost a bit more.
They hook portion of the band hooks is like a big carabiner so it prevents bands from slipping out.
I’ve never had an issue with bands slipping out when they’re under tension but I like the added security feature.
These retail for $89.
Harambe System
The Harambe System is a complete resistance band bar bundle.
It comes with a bar, rods and ropes (these are the hooks), footplate, bands, and exercise program.
Harambe’s T Bundle starts at $459 and is built for travelers or those with small spaces.
X3 Bar Elite
The X3 Bar Elite is another resistance band bundle but this one has built-in hooks on the bar.
It comes with a resistance band bar, footplate, resistance bands with up to 600 lbs of resistance, and a 12 week training program.
This bundle starts at $399.
My Experience Using The Collar Hooks
As someone who mainly trains with weights, I like how the Collar hooks allow me to recreate weight training exercises while using bands.
It’s a different type of stimulus when the exercises continue to get harder as I get to the top of a rep.
And it feels way more challenging when I throw on bumper plates and a band at the same time.
I feel the constant free weight and then increasing tension of the bands so it makes me work harder.
I own many resistance bands with carabiners so I’m glad they work with the hooks as well.
So regardless of which resistance band style you use, the hooks are compatible with many types.
Conclusion: Should You Buy Collar Hooks
If you’re someone who’s looking to buy a resistance bar like the X3 bar or the Harambe system, this is a good alternative that’ll save you money.
This is also good for people who are short on space or have minimal equipment but want to recreate barbell exercises with resistance bands.
All you need is a short bar and some resistance bands.
Collar hooks are solid, fit any size resistance band, and easy to use.
Collar Hooks
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