I first learned about rotating pull up handles after I started having shoulder pain.
So I started researching for ways to add multiple grips to my pull up bar to see what eased the pain.
And sure enough, switching grip angles and allowing the shoulders to move in a more natural way helped.
Rotating pull up handles are compact, portable, easy to attach to pull up bars, and give you the functionality of a multi-grip pull up bar.
You can space the handles however you want, changing between narrow, neutral, or wide grip pull-ups.
Benefits of Rotating Pull Up Handles
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Because the shoulders have so much range of motion, they are one of the most injured joints.
So the best solution is to allow it to move more naturally through the use of a neutral grip or rotating handles.
But besides the reduction of pain, there are other benefits.
Increased Range of Motion and Better Contractions
Bars limit your range of motion because you can only pull to the point where the bar hits your chest.
You see this in rows, pull ups, rowing machines, etc.
But with rotating handles, you increase the distance between your hands and the bar.
This allows you to bring your elbows further back for better contractions.
Popular Pull Up Handles
There are several rotating pull up handles in the market.
Some you can attach to a pull up bar, some go on door frames, and other can be attached to racks.
Here’s a few of the most popular ones…
Angles90 Grips
The Angles90 rotating handles are simple yet brilliant.
Easily one of the most versatile handles I’ve used.
They’re made of a really tough, ergonomic handle attached to straps that hold up to 400 lbs each.
To add these to your pull up bar, you toss the strap over the bar and thread the handle through.
That’s all there’s to it.
The Angles90 handles have slits on the side so you can make the straps shorter.
What I really like about them, is that you can attach them to other bars to increase the range of motion and contraction in other exercises .
I even attach them to my rower to get a better back contraction.
Hell, I even use them to make just ONE trip when bringing in groceries 😂
You can learn more about the Angles90 and get an automatic discount (applied at checkout) by clicking here.
Yes4All
The Yes4all pull up handles are made of solid steel and can rotate freely 360 degrees.
You can use it on any pull up bar that’s 1.5″ and can support up to 300 lbs.
The hook on top is rubber padded to protect the pull up bar and prevents the handles from sliding.
One you hook it over the pull up bar, secure it in place with a pin.
I found this handle to be very challenging because of the foam rotating hand grips.
They’re one hell of a grip and forearm strengthener.
Click here to check them out.
Eleviia Doorway Pull Up Handles
The Eleviia pull up handles are made for doorways.
These hook on to your door frame with a spring-loaded clamp that’s made of high strength composite material.
At the center of the clamp, there’s a hole for the pull up handle strings.
The strings give you enough mobility to rotate your arms and wrists freely.
The handles have a soft non-marking plastic over the hard plastic to protect the door frame from damage.
Max weight capacity on these is 250 lbs.
Click here to check them out.
FitBar Strong Handles
The FitBar pull up handles fit any bar that’s 1 3/8″ in diameter or smaller.
They’re made of heavy duty steel, with extra thick foam hand grips, and a rope that ties to an S-hook.
The S-hook includes a plastic sleeve at the bar interface so that you can perform wide grip pull ups without sliding on the bar.
Because these handles use a rope, you can easily rotate your arms while doing pulling exercises.
Check them out here and use coupon code SHREDDED for 10% off.
Gymnastic Rings
If you already own gymnastic rings, then you already have rotating handles.
You already know how good that free rotation feels on your joints.
One minor issue with hanging rings over a pull up bar is that the set up takes long because you adjust each strap manually.
Other that, they’re extremely versatile and can be used for way more than just pull ups.
Rack Mounted Rotating Pull Up Handles
The pull up handles I’ve shown you up to this point are small and portable.
But if you want something more permanent to attach to your rack, then check these out.
Titan Fitness
Titan Fitness has two different products for rack mounted rotating pull up handles.
Option 1
The smaller option is adjustable handles which fit the Titan X-3 power racks with a hitch pin.
If you own a 3 x 3 rack, you can use these as long as you have 17mm pin holes.
Click here to check it out.
Option 2
The bigger option is a bar with rotating handles that attaches anywhere inside your rack.
The bar is made of heavy-duty 2″ x 2″, 11 gauge steel and is powder-coated.
The rotating handles turn at 45-degree increments for 8 different pull-up bar angles.
They can be moved close or far apart from each other for narrow to wide grip pull up variations.
You bolt the bar to the rack with (4) M16 Bolts and can be secured in any direction, front to back, or side to side.
The handles have a weight capacity of 440 lbs.
Click here to check it out.
Rogue Fitness
Last on the list is the Rogue Fitness rotating pull up bar.
It’s made of 3″ x 3”, 11-gauge steel and lets you adjust both the pull-up width and the handle orientation using a pop pin.
The Rogue rotating pull-up bar also includes seven different adjustable, lock-in positions for each arm.
With a quick switch of the pop pin, you can move from a pull-up width of 4.5” on center all the way out to a maximum width of 54.5”
The handles are knurled for better grip and rotate 360 degrees.
This bar and handles are compatible ONLY with Rogue Monster Series rigs and racks.
Conclusion
There’s plenty of options out there for rotating pull up handles.
Some are portable and some are permanent.
They allow you to move more freely and hit your pulling muscles from different angles.
Whichever one you choose to go with, your joints will be happier.
Have you used rotating pull up handles before?
Drop a comment below and let know!
Garage gym athlete, gym hacks, DIY gym projects, and garage gym equipment reviews
Would you want to launch your own product that takes these rotating handles to the next level? For example, if they were to be attached to a bar in a way that lets the slide horizontally during the pull up as well? I have a patent on such a device but don’t have the means or time to launch a product. But I’d be open to teaming up with someone who could.
I don’t have the time to do it at the moment but you could reach out to fitness companies and see if they’re interested. Many of them are open to collaborations.