The Kensui Swissies are a simple accessory but they add a new angle to pull days.
You can attach them to bars, barbells, and bands.
Knurled handles, anti-slip rubber lining, and a high weight capacity makes the Swissies versatile.
Let’s check them out.
Unboxing
Table of Contents
The Swissies come in a plastic bag.
Out of the bag, they’re hard plastic hooks with knurled handles on them.
First Impressions
First thing that came to mind was “Why didn’t I think of that?”
It’s such a simple product yet it can be applied to many things to change the angle of exercises.
I like that they added knurling to the handles to improve grip.
The inside of the handles is hollow which is kinda strange but the plastic is hard enough where I don’t see it being an issue.
Maybe that’s a way to use less material and make the product less heavy?
The part connecting the handles and the hooks is just smooth hard plastic.
Features
One Size Fits All
The hook on the Kensui Swissies fits anything between 25 mm to 34 mm.
You can throw the Swissies on top of a pull up bar or lat pull down bar.
Or under a barbell for bent over rows, deadlifts, and seal rows.
Or hook it on to a resistance band for rows, pull downs, and anything else you can come up with.
Knurled Handles
The knurling on the handles is passive but it’s better than a smooth surface.
You can definitely feel it helps grip the handles better.
Especially when you’re dealing with bands.
The last thing you want is a slip up and have the handles flying all over the place.
Anti-Slip Rubber Hook Lining
The inside of the hooks is lined with rubber.
The rubber grips whatever surface the hooks are on to make sure there’s no lateral movement when you’re exercising.
Specs
- Compatibility – fits diameters from women’s 25 mm barbell to a pull up bar of 34 mm.
- Material – hard nylon plastic with anti-slip rubber lining inside of hook
- Weight – less than 1 lbs
- Handle thickness – 32 mm in diameter
- Weight capacity – tested up to 800 lbs
Neutral Grip Exercises
Pull Ups
Set the Swissies‘ hooks on top of the pull up bar.
Pull yourself up as far as you can.
Inverted Rows
Set the Swissies on top of your barbell.
Get under the bar and pull your chest up to the handles.
Bent Over Rows, Seal Rows, & Deadlifts
This time the hooks will go under the barbell.
Grab the handles and pull them up to the bottom of your bar.
Bring your elbows back and pull the barbell up towards your chest.
Set up on the barbell is the same for deadlifts.
Resistance Bands Exercises
Just insert the hooks into the ends of the resistance bands.
Here’s a pic of me doing a seated row.
You can also do this with a cable pulley machine and lat pulldown bar to replicate a close grip seated row.
If you want to replicate a lat pulldown with the bands just throw them over a pull up bar and hook the Swissies to the loops.
Get low and pull down.
If you have a cable pulley system, attach a lat pulldown bar, and set the hooks on top of the bar for neutral grip pulldowns.
Pros & Cons
What I like About The Kensui Swissies
- Set up – takes a second to set up
- Grip width – you’re no longer stuck with a fixed width, set the handles width at what feels right for you
- Knurled handles – gives you a more secure grip
- Multi-purpose – can be used on bars, barbells, and bands
- Stable – gives you stability on the neutral grip position for high force output
What I Don’t Like
The Swissies accomplish their intended purpose, a quick attaching handle for pulling exercises.
I’d like to see Kensui make the space between the handle and the hook a bit bigger (if possible).
This way my whole hand would have room without the hook touching the back of my hand.
This would make the Swissies even more versatile especially with resistance band exercises.
Exercises like resistance band flys, bicep curls, triceps extensions, and many more could be done comfortably without irritation to the back of my hand.
With that being said, an increase in space would probably affect the way the handles sit on the bar or its weight capacity.
That’s just something that I’d like to see them upgrade (or try to) in the future.
Other than that, I’m very happy using the Swissies with all my pulls.
Kensui Swissies Alternatives
Angles 90 Grips
First question I always get asked when I show the Swissies is, “You like those better than the Angles90?”
I like them both but the main difference is that the Swissies provide more stability since they are not rotating handles.
The Angles90 are free to rotate in any direction which has its pros and cons.
Rotation allows your elbows, wrists, and shoulders in a more natural movement so it’s joint friendly.
But the Angles90’s ability to rotate also makes it unstable (which can be good and bad).
If your goal is to lift heavier, training with instability will not help you generate the most power.
That’s where the Swissies‘ stability is superior to the Angles90.
Think about this, would you jump higher off a kayak in water or off the floor?
The floor right? Because it’s stable and you’re able to push off with more force.
Same applies to the Swissies and pulling with more power because they’re not moving around.
Double Circle Pull Up Handles
The Double Circle pull up handles are very similar to Angles90 except they’re made out of wood.
These can’t be adjusted in strap length or direction of the handle but they function in a similar way where they can be wrapped around many objects.
Where To Buy Kensui Swissies
The only place you can get the Swissies is through Kensui’s official website.
They sell them for $37 which is not bad at all for an accessory that can be used for many exercises.
Click here to check it out.
Kensui Fitness Discount Code
Even though the Kensui Swissies are affordable, we all love to save right?
So I was able to twist their arm and get my readers an exclusive 10% coupon code.
Click here and use discount code SHREDDED at checkout.
That’ll give you about $4 or 10% off the retail price.
Kensui Swissies Review
I dig the Swissies because my PRx performance pull up bar doesn’t have multiple grips.
This gives me the neutral grip I’m missing for my pull days.
They can hook on to any bar, barbell, or bands making them versatile.
And they’re very stable with the inner hook rubber lining.
Check Out The Kensui Swissies Here
Kensui Fitness Swissies
Garage gym athlete, gym hacks, DIY gym projects, and garage gym equipment reviews
Morning, my question is, do have two types of the swissies grip? I have the first type neutral grip, I video with the other type are they available to purchase?
Hey Kevin!
It depends on what feels right for your body.
For me it’s easier on my wrists to do chin ups or rows at an angle vs a straight bar.
Changing the angles will also stimulate muscles differently
And yes you can order Swissies45 here
They look very different than the promo photos. In the photos they look like they are worth the 40 bucks all smooth and nice, in life they look like they knocked them out of the mold and shoved them on the mail.
The pics I have in the blog post and video are the actual product. They’re worth the money in my opinion especially if you just have a straight pull up bar. And of course they can be used on barbells too.
Did you purchase the V2 to compare? Thinking about the V1 to purchase for BF if they have a sale.
No I don’t have V2
Is there room to wear lifting straps for heavy barbell rowing ? Thanks
Yes there’s room for straps