[quote]belligerent wrote:
What is the value of using rings for bodybuilding. What can you do with rings in terms of building muscle that you can’t do with a chinup bar and a dip station?[/quote]
From Feb. 6, 2004 T-Mag Article:
“Anyway, if you’ve ever had a chance to train on rings, you know what a great upper body and abdominal workout it can be. But how can you train with rings at home? You get yourself a pair of Power Rings! These are 1.25” thick steel rings that come with a webbing and buckle system that allows you to set them up just about anywhere. You can throw them over a pull-up bar, a climbing apparatus at the park, or in your garage if you have a pair of I-bolts.
Besides being portable, the unique thing about Power Rings is that they can be adjusted up or down in seconds. This makes them very versatile. You can lower them almost to the ground and do a variety of push-ups and even fly-type movements. Raise them up halfway and use them for dips, or set them up high for chin-ups and ab work.
My favorite exercise on the rings is chin-ups. Unlike chinning on a bar, rings allow you to change the hand position without letting go. For example, you can do as many wide-grip, pronated pull-ups as you can, then flip the hands around into a supinated position to knock out a few more reps. When you can’t do any more there, twist the hands so the palms are facing each other and try for another rep or two. Can’t do that with a bar or pull-up handles!
A quick warning: dips and push-ups are very difficult to perform with rings. It’s like learning a whole new exercise. Guys who can knock out a dozen body weight dips on a dipping stand will have trouble getting even a couple on the rings.
My only complaint with Power Rings is that sometimes the extra webbing gets in the way when you set them up high. Sure, you can tie or tape the extra webbing up out of your way easily enough, but then you have to re-do it when you drop the rings down for push-ups and flyes. Not a big problem, just a minor annoyance.
Power Rings and all the set-up gear will cost you about $80. They come with all the webbing and hardware you need (tested for 4000 pounds!), plus some Gamma Pro Wrap to improve the grip. These things are pretty fun and deserve a spot in your toolbox, especially if you’re a garage or basement trainer. For more info or to pick up a pair, log on to www.ringtraining.com.
Rating: 8 ? CS"
From Larry Scott:
larryscott.com/bio/products/equipment/hangingrings.cfm
“If your pecs are stubborn like mine and refuse to respond to conventional exercises, a couple of weeks on the hanging rings is just the trick to kick some extra growth into them. The rings should be padded to prevent palm pain; other than that they don’t need to be anything special in order to make them work. It’s the uniqueness of the exercise that makes this thing so darn good.”