- Best General Gymnastic Rings
- Conclusions About the General Best Gymnastic Rings
- Specialty Gymnastic Rings
- Conclusions About the Specialty Best Gymnastic Rings
- Finding the Best Gymnastic Rings
- Conclusions About the Best Gymnastic Rings & Discount Codes
- Frequently Asked Questions About Gymnastic Rings in Calisthenics
You’re looking for the best Gymnastic Rings, but there are so many to choose from. You have wooden Gymnastic rings, plastic Gymnastic rings, round ones, half ones and weird ones. In this all-time ultimate comparison, I’ll highlight the best Gymnastic rings in each category. We went and bought all these Gymnastic Rings to compare them, so you don’t have to. You get to know exactly which Gymnastic rings to buy after reading this article. You’ll also find links to dedicated, in-depth review articles and video reviews of these rings. I’ve added discount codes where available for our readers and watchers, too.
This article is very in-depth. You can also watch my Best Gymnastic Rings Review on YouTube:
Best General Gymnastic Rings
General Gymnastic rings are traditionally shaped and meant for general gymnastics, including Calisthenics. They come in two girth sizes, either 28mm or 32mm. These Gymnastic rings are great for all Calisthenics rings exercises, and you don’t have to worry about being limited in any way. At the same time, they don’t have any added features or shapes that might help in some specific way. If you’re not certain about the type of ring to get, going with traditional, round gymnastic rings is always a good choice. Here are the best gymnastic rings in the general category:
#1 GORNATION Gymnastic Rings
10% off with our code: CWW10
- Size: 28mm (1.1″) Olympic Standard
- Material: Birch Wood
- Maximum load: 600kg (1322lb)
- Price: €49.90 / $55.-
- Discount: 10% off with our code: CWW10
- In depth: Gornation Gymnastic Rings Review
The GORNATION Gymnastic Rings are designed in cooperation with Calisthenics athletes to meet not only the gymnast’s requirements but also those of the Calisthenics practitioner in full. The GORNATION Gymnastic Rings are made of high-quality premium Birch wood. This is the same wood they use for their GORNATION Premium Parallettes and is very durable and long-lasting. They measure 28mm (1.1”) in girth and feel very nice to the touch. The satin finish is perfect with no unevenness.
The set comes with standard sized 38mm (1½”) straps that are 4.5m (14’9”) long. These are very rugged and strong and are rated up to 300kg (660lb) each. The straps are numbered, and the numbers and markings are stitched into the straps, so they won’t fade like ordinary printed markings tend to do.
The buckle is a standard design clam clamp but almost oversized compared to the straps. The buckles are easy to use and stand up to the maximum weight capacity of the straps.
These are great quality wooden gymnastic rings and it’s no surprise that they are a popular choice for athletes in the market for a new set of rings. The GORNATION Gymnastic Rings are among our favorites as well and they have some of the best straps to boot.
#2 Gorletic Gymnastic Rings
10% off with our code: CWW10
- Size: 32mm (1¼”) CrossFit Standard or 28mm (1.1″) Olympic Standard
- Material: Birch Wood
- Maximum load: 600kg (1322lb)
- Price: €44.90 / $49.-
- Discount: 10% off with our code: CWW10
- In-depth: Gorletic Gymnastic Rings Review
Gorletic is a Spanish company with over 30 years of woodworking experience. Now they’ve dipped their toes in producing Calisthenics equipment, among which are these rings. The Gorletic Gymnastic Rings are made of a premium Birch wood, smoothly finished with a 32mm (1¼”) or a 28mm (1.1″) grip size. The thicker CrossFit standard grips feel just right to us, giving you more surface area to grab, and you have a bit better control over the rings while doing your exercises. This choice for the thicker grips does come down to personal preference and the size of your hands.
The 38mm (1½”) straps are rated for up to 350kg (770lb) each and have a slight off-white color. The off-white straps are numbered and marked in black, which creates a nice contrast and makes them easy to read. These markings are printed onto the straps. The buckle is a standard design clam clamp but easy to operate and adjust and stand up well to the high weight capacity of the straps and rings.
The Gorletic Gymnastic Rings stand out against the competition which usually goes for white on black and not black on white color schemes. They are also the best CrossFit standard (32mm) rings available, so if you’re in the market for that size then these gymnastic rings are a solid choice.
#3 Pullup & Dip
10% off with our code: CWW10
- Size: 28mm (1.1″) Olympic Standard
- Material: Birch Wood
- Maximum load: 400kg (880lb)
- Price: €54.90 / $61.-
- Discount: 10% off with our code: CWW10
- In-depth: Pullup & Dip Gymnastic Rings Review
The founders of Pullup & Dip are two industrial engineers from Germany, who also had a passion for Calisthenics. When they applied their engineering knowledge to Calisthenics, Pullup & Dip was the result, a very firm competitor to brands like GORNATION and Gravity Fitness. These Pullup & Dip Gymnastic Rings are no exception and are made of premium Birch wood with a 28mm girth. The wood is very nice with a nice satin finish that feels just right.
The 38mm (1½”) straps are 4.5m (14’9”) long and are rated for up to 400kg (880lb). They look high-quality as do the buckles Pullup & Dip provides. However, the markings are printed and fade quite quickly. I was able to start rubbing out the markings by just aggressively rubbing my thumb over them, so these will not last quite as long as, for example, the GORNATION stitching.
You also receive a handy storage bag and a door anchor so you can take your gymnastic rings anywhere and train either from your own home or outdoors.
They are length adjustable with standard buckles, comparable to those of GORNATION. We believe that, for the price, higher quality straps could have been provided to truly compete with some of the best gymnastic rings on the market. You can still use our discount code CWW10 to pick them up at a reduced price.
Aside from the poor marking quality, the structural part of the Pullup & Dip Gymnastic Rings is superb, and they do come shipped with door anchors. We haven’t used the anchors outside of showing them on the camera, but the option is there.
#4 Gravity Fitness Gymnastic Rings
- Size: 28mm (1.1″) or 32mm (1¼”)
- Material: Wood
- Maximum load: 400kg (880lb)
- Price: £37.95 / €49.95 / $44.95
- Discount: 10% off with our code: CWW10
- In-depth: Gravity Fitness Gymnastic Rings Review
Gravity Fitness is a UK company that specializes in Calisthenics equipment and is often seen as the direct competitor to GORNATION in terms of both quality and price. The first big difference we noticed was the buckle, which is much lighter than the buckles that come with the other rings in this category. It looks like a standard clam clamp of very similar size to the other buckles, but noticeably lighter. This means a lighter metal is used in its construction.
The straps are made of a sustainable material which are rated at 400kg (880lb) total weight. They look like ordinary nylon straps and ours came unmarked save for the Gravity Fitness logo. This made hanging them at equal heights take a few more adjustments.
The rings feel good and have a very similar hand feel to the GORNATION rings. The Gravity Fitness Gymnastic Rings are available in two sizes, 28mm (1.1″) and 32mm (1¼”).
Update! The Gravity Fitness Wooden Gymnastic Rings now come with numbered straps. We haven’t had the chance to check the quality of the markings before the conclusion of our review.
#5 Nayoya Plastic Gymnastic Rings
- Size: 28mm (1.1″)
- Material: Plastic
- Maximum load: 1000kg (2200lb)
- Price: ~$60.-
- In-depth: Nayoya Gymnastic Rings Review
Nayoya supplies the only set of plastic Gymnastic Rings for our review which comes with its own upsides and downsides. The upside is that you get a whopping 1000kg (2200lb) maximum weight capacity, which is easily the highest rating of all our best Gymnastic rings.
The straps are thinner than the other general gymnastic rings and the buckle is of a slightly different design, as well. The buckle isn’t coated, either, rather only what appears to be the effects of flame hardening. There are no numbers or markings other than the logo on the straps.
The rings themselves are very light and unfortunately (according to our taste), also very yellow. They are very strong but also don’t absorb your sweat and tend to get slippery faster than wooden rings would. To prevent this to some degree, plastic rings tend to be more coarsely finished which does chafe more. They are very decent rings, but we still prefer wood over plastic.
Conclusions About the General Best Gymnastic Rings
All standard size Gymnastic Rings share the same dimensions, with the only exception being either the Olympic standard 28mm grips or the CrossFit standard 32mm grips. Overall, all the rings in this category score high marks and you can do all your exercises with any of them.
The straps and buckles are also very good across the board, with maybe some questions marks for the lighter Gravity Fitness buckle and the thinner Nayoya straps. We also liked having the marked, numbered straps for the immediate equal and level adjustment of our rings.
We prefer wooden gymnastic rings over plastic ones for the superior grip and feel that wood has. As Calisthenics athletes, we also like the 32mm CrossFit standard (we don’t say that out loud) over the 28mm grip. For us, putting one and one together means that the Gorletic Gymnastic Rings is our personal winner.
If you prefer 28mm grips, however, then GORNATION is the best choice because they have nicely stitched numbers on the straps that won’t fade.
Specialty Gymnastic Rings
These specialty rings all are some take on traditional Gymnastic Rings but attempt to add something and, in some cases, remove something instead. Since these rings come in different variations, we settled on 7 of them to be added to our all-time comparison to give a few more novel ideas and takes a chance.
#6 Marmati Garbage Rings
10% off with our code: CWW10
- Size: 28mm (1.1″) or 32mm (1¼”)
- Material: PEFC Plywood
- Maximum load: 700kg (1500lb)
- Price: €125 or €135 Straps and Rings, €90 Straps Only
- Discount: 10% off with our code: CWW10
- In-depth: Marmati Garbage Rings Review
Marmati is a company that is all-in on sustainable materials, production methods and preferably shipping as well. The Marmati Garbage Rings started out as just that, mostly garbage that is recycled. Marmati also donates a lot to charity, always having 7 good causes to which a part of the revenue is donated. The straps come in different colors, each symbolic of one of the 7 charity directions.
The straps are made of recycled PET bottles, and these are the best straps we’ve used so far. The straps are numbered and marked on the inside, leaving you with a very clean look on the outward facing side once they’re hanging. The buckles are different from the other gymnastic rings as well, featuring a quick release click system. This makes them very fast to hang and equally smooth to adjust. These straps feel very soft as well. All metal parts are upcycled aluminum.
The wooden rings are made of PEFC plywood. This is wood sourced sustainably with a guarantee that every tree felled is replaced with another tree that is nurtured to adulthood. The rings feel very good in the hand, with a satin finish.
#7 Marmati Weightless Rings
- Size: n/a (rounded triangular shape)
- Material: Upcycled Aluminum
- Maximum load: 900kg (2000lb)
- Price: €170 no Straps, €240 with Straps
- Discount: 10% off with our code: CWW10
The Marmati Weightless Rings are made of nearly 100% upcycled (scrapped) aluminum that’s been given a new life as gymnastic rings. They come with the same excellent straps as the Marmati Garbage Rings. Despite the name, these rings are far from weightless. Their odd shape is meant to keep the broader and thicker part of the ring pointing down.
However, the rings do tend to move when you use them. Perfectly round rings also move, but this doesn’t disturb the equilibrium of your grip. With oddly shaped rings, however, this equilibrium is gone once the center of gravity on the ring shifts. The thicker part might be of some use for a false grip exercise, but that the ring moves out of center position nullifies this small advantage.
Overall, we’re not impressed by the Marmati Weightless Rings and this is virtually the completely opposite conclusion to what we think of the Marmati Garbage Rings (see above), which are excellent.
#8 Infinity Rings
- Size: 28mm (1.1″) with false grip extensions and lateral curve
- Material: Plastic
- Price: $59.99
- In-depth: Infinity Rings Review
The Infinity Rings are known for beginning as a Kickstarter campaign. The Infinity Ring’s innovation comes from an additional ledge at the bottom of the rings and a wobble along its circumference. This ledge makes training for and maintaining the false grip easier. The wrist itself rests on this ledge while maintaining the grip, instead of needing to be held in its position through force alone.
We at Calisthenics Worldwide were in close contact with the creator of the Infinity Rings. We had several meetings with him where we gave our feedback, and we are glad that we now have the official first version of the Infinity Rings in our possession.
The rings have a lateral curve clearly visible when the rings are viewed from the side. In addition, there is a lip that protrudes from the rings, providing a place for the wrist to rest when applying the false grip. The surface is slightly knurled all over, giving you good grip which is further amplified by the false grip protrusions.
The Muscle-Up uses a false grip, which is specifically what these Infinity Rings are designed for. They do give you that extra support while transitioning between the pull-up and the dip phase of the Muscle-Up and the lateral curve allows for your forearms to move more freely as well. On the other hand, even tangential exercises that often come with Muscle-Ups like transitioning into a Back Lever are kind of annoying with the protrusion in place.
We see the Infinity Rings specifically as a training tool for the false grip and to master Ring Muscle-Up.
#9 Happy Fat Rings
- Size: 36mm (1.42″)
- Material: Wood
- Price: €89 / $96
- In depth: Happy Fat Rings Review
The Happy Fat Rings are, as you may have guessed, extra thick. With a grip diameter of 36mm (1.42”), these rings are all about size and grip strength. The straps are sturdy but feature no markings or numbers. Only the logo of a lobster is stitched onto each strap, symbolizing that you need to squeeze harder with these fatter rings. The buckles are a standard design.
The rings themselves are very good. The extra thickness gives you more surface area which means less stress on your wrists. This is also an advantage when practicing for and using the false grip, as more of your arm can rest against the surface of the rings. The extra thickness needs more grip strength during pulls but makes pushes easier. Pull-Ups will be harder, and Dips will be easier with these Happy Fat Rings.
Very good rings, especially for practicing false grip techniques but we’re not fans of the straps or buckles.
#10 Movement Made Minimalistic Rings
- Size: 28mm (1.1″) or 32mm (1¼”)
- Material: PEFC Plywood
- Maximum load: 700kg (1500lb)
- Price: €125 or €135 Straps and Rings, €90 Straps Only
- Discount: 10% off with our code: CWW10
The Minimalistic Rings by Movement Made reduce the Gymnastic Rings down to the bare minimum. This design leaves just the lower third of the rings for you to hold, only that part that you use with a normal pronated or supinated grip. The rings, or what’s left of them, are made of sustainable, FSC certified Rumanian beech. They feel very nice in the hands and there is enough surface area for all normal exercises. The are attached by a rope to the straps.
The straps look and feel very nice but are unmarked. Movement Made now offers a new set of marked straps, called the Multi-Straps which are numbered and very easy to use. These are sold separately, and we do recommend you get these for your own sanity’s sake.
We like the design philosophy of the Minimalistic Rings by Movement Made and the materials they use. Caveat here is that these rings are not suited for exercises that require more of the circumference of the rings to be present, like the false grip.
#11 Kensui Fitness Duo Rings (Before: NEO Rings)
- Size: 28mm (1.1″) and 32mm (1¼”) (halves)
- Material: Premium Birch
- Maximum load: 360kg (800lb)
- Price: €56.95 / $59.90
- Discount: 10% off with our code: CWW10
Kensui is a Japanese company that prides itself in simple but effective innovation. Why choose between the Olympic standard 28mm or the CrossFit standard 32mm when you can have both? The elegance of Kensui’s solution hasn’t gone unnoticed by us as these Kensui Duo Rings simply have a thicker half and a thinner half.
The straps are numbered and very compactly rolled into a bundle. They are much thinner than all the other straps we’ve encountered so far. They are clearly numbered and marked for easy adjustments. The buckle seems flimsier as well than the other buckles we’ve tested. They state a maximum weight capacity of 360kg (800lbs), though, which is enough for anyone to exercise. We do wonder if this maximum capacity is limited by the straps and not the rings.
The rings themselves are very good quality and having two different halves makes these rings more versatile. You won’t notice the difference in thickness during your training, either, as having half of the ring in the same thickness is enough. Even with a false grip, my forearm only used less than half of the ring.
If you want both the Olympic and the CrossFit options thickness, the Kensui Duo Rings are a nice solution. They are also the cheapest in our Specialty Gymnastic Rings category.
#12 Duonamic Gymnastic Rings
10% off with our code: CWW10
- Size: 28mm (1.1″) and 32mm (1¼”) (halves)
- Material: Wood
- Price: €197.- (together) or €94.- (separate) / $209.- (together) or $99.- (separate)
- In depth: Duonamic Eleviia Review
- Discount: 10% off with our code: CWW10
The Duonamic Gymnastic Rings are specifically meant to be hung from the Duonamic Eleviia Pull-Up handles. You apply the Eleviia clamps to your door frame first with the standard handles removed but the attachment cord still there. Attach the carabiner of the Gymnastic Rings to the cords and adjust the straps to your desired height. It’s not complicated, but the carabiner hooks do make this a Duonamic Eleviia exclusive product.
The straps are marked and numbered and adjusting the height is also very easy. The markings are stitched, not printed. Despite being meant for door frames, you do get quite a lot of length. The only thing we noticed is that the final position, number 17, isn’t useful as it would make the large carabiner hooks lodge against the rings.
The Duonamic Gymnastic Rings make training Muscle-Ups in any standard doorway possible, and the package is small and lightweight enough to take with you on your travels. The rings are comfortable enough and feel just like any other wooden Gymnastic Ring. If you already have the Duonamic Eleviia, then this can be a nice upgrade package for you.
Conclusions About the Specialty Best Gymnastic Rings
There is a lot more variation in the Specialty Gymnastic Rings category. Which is the best Gymnastic Ring among the lot? That will depend on more factors than just quality and price. These rings attempt to bring some sort of game changer to the table, whether that be more portability, a non-standard grip size or additional innovations like a different shape and utility.
You should look at your use case and whether that additional innovation is useful for you. If you’re looking for a Muscle-Up training aid, the Happy Fat Rings or the Infinity Rings are good solutions. If you want both 28mm and 32mm options in one product, the Kensui Duo Rings are ideal.
Other specialty rings pride themselves in the use of non-standard materials. Here the Marmati Garbage Rings stand out. The rings are standard but make use of the strictest sustainable lumber certificate and are made to a very high-quality degree. The Marmati straps, despite being made of literally trash, are the best straps on the market or atleast the best straps we’ve ever used.
Finding the Best Gymnastic Rings
Finding the best Gymnastic Rings means carefully assessing a set of core qualities that lie at the base of good performance, reliability and usefulness during your exercise. You can divide these core qualities into Ring Thickness (not to be confused with diameter), Ring Material, Strap Qualities, Buckle Qualities, Price and finally, Weight Capacity.
- Ring Thickness: Gymnastic Rings mostly come in 2 sizes. The 28mm (1.1”) Olympic standard and the 32mm (1¼”) CrossFit Standard. The Olympic standard accommodates 90% of the Calisthenics athletes, but the 32mm type can be a personal choice if you have bigger hands or want to train for grip strength. We prefer the 32mm for the additional surface area that is beneficial for a false grip exercise.
- Ring Material: Wood is most often used for Gymnastic Rings and is the superior choice. Wood has the best grip qualities while not being too heavy or too weak. Birch or beech wood laminate is the most common type.
- Strap Qualities: The straps will likely be the weakest link, so their quality will determine the longevity of the setup and its maximum Weight Capacity. Also look at the length of the straps to make sure you get the full potential from your mounting (ceiling, Pull-Up Bar, and so on). Strap thickness is another assessment, where thick straps (38mm) have much less of a tendency to twist and get jumbled up than thin straps (25mm).
- Buckle Qualities: If the buckle is not made from steel, it won’t last unless you suspend your Gymnastic Rings once and never remove them.
- Price: You want value for money and since these aren’t very complex tools, you shouldn’t expect to be paying too much for a set of quality Gymnastic Rings. The prices can vary from around 80 USD/EUR to around 200 USD/EUR. You do pay for quality and at the higher price point you do get additional functionality like a portable setup.
- Weight Capacity: the best Gymnastic Rings on my list will all have a sufficient Weight Capacity for all your Calisthenics needs. This capacity should not be borderline just enough, but at least twice your bodyweight. That way, the straps will last the longest.
Conclusions About the Best Gymnastic Rings & Discount Codes
After reviewing all 12 of the best Gymnastic Rings, we can say that there is a lot of tight competition on the market. They are all high-quality rings that will not let you down. Some rings are meant for a specific purpose and in those cases, these rings perform very well for that intended purpose.
For general purpose Calisthenics, the best Gymnastic Rings are those by Gorletic. The 32mm grips are combined with excellent woodworking skill and resource selection. The straps are also very good, marked and of high quality.
10% off with our code: CWW10
The best 28mm rings are the GORNATION Gymnastic Rings. GORNATION always makes excellent products of the highest quality, and these Gymnastic Rings are no exception. The straps are also very nice with stitched markings that won’t fade.
10% off with our code: CWW10
Kensui offers a good dual solution, having both 28mm and 32mm grips in one set of rings. Their quality is at least comparable to GORNATION but you do get thinner straps and a skinnier buckle.
If you want the best of the best, Marmati is the winner if you’re willing to pay the premium. You get the highest quality wooden Gymnastic Rings and above all the best straps of all the rings on our list. They are also made to the highest sustainability protocols.
10% off with our code: CWW10
I hope my review of the best Gymnastic Rings will help you make the best decision for you. Don’t forget to check out the many discount codes Calisthenics Worldwide (CWW10) we managed to procure for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gymnastic Rings in Calisthenics
A few more questions about the best Gymnastic Rings for Calisthenics answered.
Why use Gymnastic Rings in Calisthenics?
Gymnastic rings give you more mobility and less stability. That way your body needs a stronger, more stable core to perform the same number of reps of whatever applicable exercise you choose to do. It will take more effort on your part to achieve the same number of pull-ups using the gymnastic rings than on the pull-up bars. They are the logical next step when you’ve reached your plateau and are no longer experiencing proper overload of your muscles.
By introducing a new dimension of difficulty with the gymnastic rings, you can break through that plateau and reach new heights in fitness. They will be a meaningful addition to your toolkit, especially when it comes to enhancing your upper-body strength and core strength.
How To Set Up Your Gymnastic Rings
You can use gymnastic rings almost anywhere where the length of the provided straps allow suspension. Some options to hang your rings:
– Over a pull-up bar
– Over a thick tree branch
– Over a climbing frame
How Do I Hang My Gymnastic Rings?
Your rings are quite easy to set up. First, place the strap over the bar you want to hang the ring on. Second, pull the strap through the ring itself. Last, pull the strap through the buckle from behind. This is very important so it doesn’t come loose when you’re exercising. Press the buckle down so it opens, push the strap through the opening and close it firmly. Now pull firmly on the strap to see if its moves. If you cannot move the strap through the buckle by hand, you’ve seated it securely. If it does give, you’ve most likely fed the strap through the wrong side of the buckle.
How High Should You Hang Your Calisthenic Rings?
Most exercises are performed with the rings high above you (pull-ups), on chest height (dips/Australian pull-ups) or down below (abdomen/push-ups). It is easy to adjust the height by pulling the strap up or down (release the buckle for down). With high exercises, make sure you don’t touch the ground in a dead hang position and with any low exercise make sure your back is straight.
