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Angles90 are a simple, yet highly effective set of handles that are purported to increase the range of motion and require more body tension during various pulling workouts. After using them for a few months to conduct our Angles 90 Grips review, we can confidently recommend these for all sorts of movements like deadlifts, shrugs, rows, pull-ups, and more.
Read on to find out why these are great for anyone trying to vary their grip for different bar-based pulling (and some extension) movements, and why we think this product born out of a small town in the Italian Alps will soon take over the fitness industry.
Related: Angles90 Grips made our Best Fitness Gifts list!
Why You Should Trust Us
I’ve got a pretty good handle on the gym equipment industry, so when I see something like the Angles90 Grips come out I have to try it. Old-fashioned barbells, dumbbells, and kettlebells are great, and they’ll always have a space in my home gym, but if there’s something out there that might make training easier or more enjoyable I want to see what the hype is all about.
And above all else, I’m honest in my reviews. If I tell you that I like something it means I’m a big fan of it, and I’m probably using it in my own home gym on a regular basis.
Angles90 Grips
Angles90 Grips
Product Highlights
Pros & Cons
Bottom Line
A Quick Look at the Angles90 Grips
Angles90 is an attachment for some of the best Olympic barbells, dumbbells, kettlebells, and the like to allow full rotation of the arm during pulling movements. They were created after founder Simon Sparber, a former gymnast from the Italian Alps, used the handles from an old skiing stick on a pull-up bar, which sparked the idea to change the handles trainees use in the gym.
He developed the Angles90 Grips at the Technical University of Munich, designing more than 70 prototypes tested on more than 300 athletes, and patented the grips in 2018. So what are they?
They’re a plastic set of grips coated in a grippy rubber that are ergonomically-shaped and designed to be attached via the included straps to barbells, pull-up bars, and cable attachments. They’re similar to plastic grips, but in a much smaller form factor.
Coop’s Tips:
- There have been reports of knock-offs (with some even trying to copy the logo), so buy direct from the website to make sure you’re getting the real deal.
- Not sure how to use them? Angles90 includes a database of how-to videos with every order.
My Favorite Things:
- Multiple grip options for a more natural movement while lifting
- Versatile: Can be attached to barbells, dumbbells, kettlebells, and more
- Lightweight and portable so they can be taken anywhere
My Callouts:
- Angles90 is an international company, so they’re may be some issues with shipping
- There are some reviews that state the straps are small for people with larger hands
Are the Angles90 Grips Worth It?
When I first saw Angles90 Grips, I wasn’t positive what their purpose was. The orange, somewhat banana shape threw me off, and I kept seeing people on social media attach them to barbells. After a few months of putting off reviewing them and fielding a ton of requests to do so, we finally bit.
After using these for a few months, we love them. They’re cheap, portable, attach to anything quickly and are adjustable. Honestly, we foresee these being in quite a few gym bags and home gyms very soon, if not there already.
The idea behind them is pretty simple: Instead of using a barbell that forces you to use either a fully pronated or supinated grip, Angles90 attach to any fixed bar to allow the trainee to use more natural movements. For instance, a fixed horizontal bar forces you to move your body around it, whereas Angles90 handles move with your body.
This puts less stress on your body, which results in a more pain-free workout and allows you to push out a few more reps (and that means increased muscle and strength). We used these for all sorts of movements, and can honestly say we felt a difference on each one.
Great for:
- Anyone who wants to reduce impact to their joints
- People who want to increase the versatility of their grips
- People who do a lot of pulling workouts
- Anyone who wants to increase their grip strength
Not recommended for:
- Very heavy lifters who lift more than 800 pounds
- People with large hands
- Lifters focusing on increasing their pressing strength
Angles90 Specs
| Weight capacity | 400 lbs per handle |
| Material | Rubber |
| Made in USA? | No |
Using the Angles90 Grips
Home gym owners love attachments. They love things that take up little amounts of space but can be used for a ton of different things (the same can be said for commercial gym-goers).
Go through any trainee’s gym bag at your local YMCA and you’ll find all sorts of wraps, straps, and other little accessories that are used for workouts. Some of these items are useful, others just end up gathering dust and not being used.
To be honest, when we first received Angles90 to review and test, I had the feeling that these were going to be one of those items that after the review, we’d put them in the archive.
However, to my surprise, these inexpensive little handles are a Swiss Army knife for pretty much every pulling movement on the planet.
Here are just some of the reasons why I’m such a big fan of them.
They Attach to Everything
If you’re like me, you have quite a few different weights in your garage gym: barbells, kettlebells, dumbbells, lat bars, pull-up bars, cable handles, etc. All of these were chosen for a reason and I enjoy their functionality. However, there’s really no way to reshape these types of equipment. What you see is what you get, which is pretty much always a straight and fixed horizontal bar.
Angles90 essentially allows you to turn all of these pieces of equipment you already own into something entirely different.
Take a pull-up bar for instance. Most pull-up bars are simply powder-coated, 1.25-inch steel pipes. Although you’d like the option to do neutral grip pull-ups, it’s not possible because the bar you have is fixed. That’s where Angles90 comes in–simply throw them over the bar, put the grips through the strap loop, and now you have a pull-up attachment that will not only increase your range of motion, but allow it to be more natural depending on how you want to angle your grip.
The same can be done on a barbell. If you don’t want to buy a trap bar, but still want to do neutral grip deadlifts or shrugs, attach Angles90 to the barbell evenly, and start pulling. Of course, it’s not the same as a trap bar due to the weight still being in front of your shins, but it will vary the movement from a traditional deadlift. One thing I’ve enjoyed doing is attaching the handles to kettlebells for farmer carries and shrugs.
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Angles90 Have Three Different Grip Methods
The most often used grip position is what’s known as the “ergo” option. This handle position is what Angles90 were originally intended for as it most closely resembles the form and angles of your hand. This creates a very ergonomic feeling handle and forces the middle of your hand to do most of the work due to the way it’s angled.
The second option comes when you flip the handles upside down for the “power” option. This essentially turns Angles90 into the bottom portion of a small gymnastics ring. I’ve found that I can lift more weight with this option and they suggest using it for lower reps.
The last option is called the “forearm” option. This occurs when you place your ring or index finger between the strap on the “ergonomic finger cavity” (a small loop on the strap). This makes it more difficult to grip the handle, but as the name suggests, it increases grip strength.
Angles90 Are Inexpensive And Enjoyable to Use
To be honest, at $50, excluding shipping, there aren’t many other pieces of equipment at this size we would suggest over Angles90. Yes, we would probably suggest gymnastic rings over Angles90 because they’re (possibly) a bit more versatile and can be purchased for less, but other than muscle-ups, you can pretty much do everything with Angles90 that you can with gymnastic rings, and they’re much smaller.
If you do a lot of pulling movements (you should) and are looking for a way to change up your movements and allow for more natural pulling angles, then Angles90 is a tremendous option, especially at the price point.
What Movements Can Be Done With Angles90 Grips?
There are more than 100 different exercise movements that could be done with Angles90, but here are a few we really enjoyed.
- Pull-up
- Farmers carries
- Curls (with kettlebells)
- Lat pulldowns
- One-arm rows (attached to a functional trainer)
- Seal rows (attached to a barbell)
- Archer pull-ups
- Skull crushers (attached to a functional trainer)
- Bodyweight rows
If you purchase the Angles90 Grips you get access to the company’s online database of how-to and pro-tip videos that demonstrate how to effectively use them.
Ergonomics
The Angles90 Grips were inspired by a ski stick handle, which better fits the contours of your hands than a barbell or dumbbell handle. This allows you to have a neutral grip position (palms facing each other) when desired with the ability to rotate your arms in a way that feels natural to you.
The ability to change your grip position with the Angles90 Grips, something you can’t do with a fixed handle, also allows you to target different muscles (different grips activate different muscle groups). This can result in increased muscle growth and strength.
Angles90 Grips vs. Fat Gripz
First off, it must be said that these are two completely different products with different purposes. Yes, they both have “grip” in the name (though they spell it differently), can be attached to different free weights, and help improve your grip strength but that’s about where the similarities end.
Fat Gripz
Fat Gripz
Product Highlights
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Easy to use
- Helps develop forearms
- Durable material
Cons
- May not fit all dumbbells
- Can be difficult to install and remove
Bottom Line
You can use FatGripz for many of the same exercises you use Angles90 on, but they’re not going to do anything to improve your range of motion or decrease impact on your joints (if anything they might increase it). One edge Fat Gripiz have over the Angles90 Grips is they can be used for push movements, i.e. bench presses. The Angles90 can only be used for pulling movements.
If you’re just going for improved grip strength and bigger forearms, I’d probably suggest the Fat Gripz just because they’re a little cheaper. But if you’re looking for a versatile lifting accessory that can also help improve your pulling power then the Angles90 Grips are the answer.
Read my full Fat Gripz review to learn more.
Angles90 Grips vs. AbMat ¼ Rings
The AbMat ¼ rings are a gymnastic-style ring you attach to a cable pulley system to help with shoulder mobility. Similar to the Angles90 Grips, they help you perform a more natural range of motion on different pulling movements by changing your grip style. You can also use them for things like chin-ups, muscle-ups, and more.
AbMat 1/4 Rings
AbMat 1/4 Rings
Product Highlights
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Small, easy to transport and store
- Made for all body types
- Versatile
- Easy on the hands
- Great for people with limited shoulder mobility
- Weather-resistant
Cons
- Would need to purchase additional attachments/equipment to get the variety of uses, if not going to a commercial gym
- No instructional guidance included for different exercises. Need to do your own research.
Bottom Line
If you’re looking to reduce joint stress on your pull exercises, you can’t go wrong with either of these. The AbMat rings are a high quality piece of equipment that are a little more budget-friendly than the Angles90 Grips. They’re also better for anyone who’s looking after any joint injuries.
The Angles90 Grips, on the other hand, are better for those just focused on weightlifting or bodybuilding. The AbMat rings aren’t really built to be attached to a barbell, and there’s no advertised weight capacity but similar products can only hold up to 600 pounds, whereas the Angles90 Grips can withstand 800.
The design of the Angles90 Grips also allows for more dynamic training grips, which can help you target different stabilizer muscles.
Ordering the Angles90 Grips
Ordering the Angles90 Grips is a breeze through the company’s website, and because they’re an Italian company they have options for international shoppers as well. There are some additional fees, depending on what country you’re in.
Shipping is also a breeze, and you get a tracking number as soon as you complete your order.
I highly recommend ordering Angles90 through their website because there have been reports of copycat knock-offs being sold on sites like Amazon, with some even putting the Angles logo on them. Now just about every product gets ripped off from time to time, but Angles90 actually has a patent on their product and they’re trying to sue to stop the fakes from being sold.
The fake Angles90 Grips reportedly have a longer strap, which reduces your range of motion, and a material on the handle that’s more slippery than the rubber they use.
Returns and Exchanges
You have 30 days from the date of delivery to return the Angles90 Grips, and they must be in good condition (the website doesn’t specify whether that means unused or not, but you probably shouldn’t try to return anything that’s broken).
You have the same amount of time to exchange the product if, for whatever reason, you receive anything with defects.
Customer Reviews
The Angles90 Grips have more than 550 5-star reviews, with many people saying they’ve helped them actually enjoy exercising more than they once did.
“I was experiencing biceps pain in my right arm when doing rows and pull-ups with a pronated grip,” reviewer D.P. wrote. “There were not a lot of attachments at my gym to provide a neutral grip so I ordered these. Sure enough, they let me train back without irritating my bicep!”
There are some negative reviews on the site, but many of them are about the international shipping process. Some users said they didn’t notice any difference when lifting with them, and some added that it felt more uncomfortable than traditional lifting.
“The straps are very thin so do not feel happy hanging off them or lifting and [sic] decent weight,” reviewer Tony Robinson wrote.
Final Verdict of Our Angles90 Grips Review
Angles90 Grips are more than a social media fad; I find myself using them every week in my garage gym. You can feel a difference from traditional handles on your first set using them. I’d recommend these grips for home gym athletes and commercial gym-goers, and here are just some of the reasons.
- They’re affordable and portable
- They allow you to change your grip
- They’re capable of holding 400 pounds per handle
- They improve your range of motion and allow your body to move in a more natural way
If you’re hesitant about these, as I was before using them, try them out for 30 days and see how you like them. You can return them, but they must be in good condition so don’t put them through anything too strenuous.
Keep in mind Angles90 is an international company so there might be some delays with shipping (that didn’t happen to me, but plenty of reviews state it took a while for their grips to arrive).
Angles90 Discount Code
Garage Gym Reviews has negotiated a discount code for our readers interested in purchasing the Angles90 Grips, or other equipment on the website. Use code “G.GYM10” at checkout for 10% off your entire order.
Angles90 Grips FAQs
Are Angles90 worth it?
Angles90 Are Inexpensive and Enjoyable To Use
If you do a lot of pulling movements (you should) and are looking for a way to change up your movements and allow for more natural pulling angles, then Angles90 is a tremendous option, especially at the price point.
How do you use Angles90?
The Angles90 Grips are attached to barbells, dumbbells, and other handles by forming a loop with the strap and putting the orange handle through it. You then hold onto the handle with your desired grip and pull.
Is grip strength important?
Absolutely. Grip strength is vital not just to strength athletes, but for everyday people who want to hold onto grocery bags, suitcases, their child’s hands, and more.
Full Rating
Angles90 Grips
Angles90 are a simple, yet highly effective set of handles that is purported to increase the range of motion and require more body tension during various pulling workouts. After using Angles90 for nearly two months for all sorts of movements like deadlifts, shrugs, rows, pull-ups, and more, we can confidently recommend to anyone that wants to vary their grip for different bar based pulling (and some extension) movements.
Product Brand: Angles90
Product Currency: USD
Product Price: 49.90
Product In-Stock: InStock
4.5
Further reading
Angles90 are a simple, yet highly effective set of handles that are purported to increase the range of motion and require more body tension during various pulling workouts. After using them for a few months to conduct our Angles 90 Grips review, we can confidently recommend these for all sorts of movements like deadlifts, shrugs, rows, pull-ups, and more. Read on to find out why these are great for anyone trying to vary their grip for different bar-based pulling (and some extension) movements, » Read more about: Angles90 Grips In-Depth Review: Cheap, Effective Pulling Handles » Read more
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