Parallettes: how to pick the right height and material
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- Low wooden parallettes. Best for: Beginners, push-ups, planche leans and travel. See options on Amazon
- Tall steel parallettes. Best for: L-sits, swing-throughs, dips and weighted work. See options on Amazon
- Medium height wooden parallettes. Best for: A single set for both floor work and L-sits. See options on Amazon
- Mini push-up parallettes with non-slip feet. Best for: Push-ups and planche practice at home. See options on Amazon
What parallettes are for
Parallettes lift your hands off the floor and give you a bar to wrap your fingers around. That lets you lower deeper in a push-up, hold your body up in an L-sit, and practice planche and handstand drills. Rogue lists basic dips, L-sits, planches, swing-throughs and weighted handstand push-ups as uses for its parallettes.
Gripping a bar with a straight wrist is also a different position from pressing a flat palm into the floor, which some people find more comfortable. If you only want handles for push-ups, see the push up handles guide.
Low or tall: choosing the height
| Height | Good for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Low (a few inches off the floor) | Push-ups, planche leans, beginner L-sit tucks, travel | Not enough room to swing legs through or dip deep |
| Medium to tall | L-sits, swing-throughs, dips, handstand push-ups with depth | Bigger, heavier, and a longer fall if you lose balance |
As an example of a taller set, Rogue's Bolt Together Parallette Set stands 14 inches high, with a 24 by 15 inch footprint for each handle. If you want to do full bodyweight dips with your legs straight, a dip station is taller still.
Wood vs steel, handle size and feet
- Wooden parallettes are light and many people like the grip of bare wood without chalk. Check that the dowel is smooth and the joints are solid.
- Steel parallettes are heavier and suit weighted work. Rogue's set uses 1.5 inch, 14-gauge steel handles on 11-gauge steel bases, and the pair weighs 32 lb.
- Handle diameter. A handle you can close your fingers around is easier to hold in an L-sit. Rogue's handles are 1.5 inches across. Smaller hands may prefer a slimmer bar.
- Feet and base. Rubber feet stop the bars sliding and protect the floor. On Rogue's set, the rubber feet replace a connecting crossmember, so you can change the spacing between handles.
- Connected or separate. Separate bars let you set your own width; connected bars hold a fixed width and feel steadier.
Parallettes exercises: a beginner progression
The Physical Activity Guidelines advise muscle-strengthening activity at least 2 days each week. Parallettes fit easily into that. Start low and add difficulty one step at a time:
- Push-ups on the parallettes, first from the knees if needed, then full push-ups and deeper deficit push-ups.
- Support hold. Press up so your arms are straight and hold for a few breaths.
- Tuck L-sit. From the support hold, lift your knees toward your chest.
- L-sit. Straighten one leg at a time, then both.
- Planche lean. In a push-up position, lean your shoulders forward past your hands.
- Swing-throughs and handstand drills once you are strong and steady in the earlier steps. Practice handstands near a wall or with a spotter.
Using parallettes safely
- Warm up your wrists, elbows and shoulders before holding your weight on your hands.
- Set the bars on a flat, non-slip floor and check that neither bar rocks.
- Move to a harder step only when the current one feels controlled for several sessions.
- Use a mat around the bars for handstand and swing-through practice.
- Stop if you feel sharp wrist, elbow or shoulder pain.
AAOS OrthoInfo notes that wrist sprains are usually caused by a fall onto an outstretched hand, and that even an injury that seems mild can involve a torn ligament. It advises seeing a doctor if wrist pain and swelling last more than 48 hours, or if a wrist injury does not improve quickly.
What to look for when you buy
Low wooden parallettes
Best for: Beginners, push-ups, planche leans and travel
Low bars are easy to balance on and store, and wood gives a comfortable grip without chalk.
Watch out: Too low for swing-throughs or deep dips. Check the weight limit and that the base sits flat.
See options on AmazonTall steel parallettes
Best for: L-sits, swing-throughs, dips and weighted work
Taller bars give leg clearance, and steel suits heavy use. Rogue's set, for example, is 14 inches tall with 1.5 inch steel handles.
Watch out: Heavier and bulkier to store, and a fall from a handstand on tall bars is a longer drop.
See options on AmazonMedium height wooden parallettes
Best for: A single set for both floor work and L-sits
A middle height gives enough room for L-sit tucks while staying easy to balance on for push-ups.
Watch out: Heights vary widely between brands, so check the listed height against the moves you want to train.
See options on AmazonMini push-up parallettes with non-slip feet
Best for: Push-ups and planche practice at home
Small bars hold a straight-wrist grip for push-ups and take up very little space.
Watch out: Usually too short for L-sits. Check the stated weight limit, especially on plastic models.
See options on AmazonQuestions people ask
- Are wooden parallettes better than steel?
- Neither is better for everyone. Wood is light and grippy; steel is heavier and better for weighted work. Choose by the exercises you plan to do.
- What height parallettes should I get?
- Low parallettes suit beginners and push-ups. Taller ones, such as Rogue's 14 inch set, give room for swing-throughs and deeper dips.
- What exercises can you do with parallettes?
- Push-ups, support holds, L-sits, planche leans, dips, swing-throughs and handstand drills. Rogue lists dips, L-sits, planches, swing-throughs and handstand push-ups.
- Are parallettes good for beginners?
- Yes, if you start low and build up. Push-ups and support holds on low bars come before L-sits and handstands.
- How far apart should parallettes be?
- Start about shoulder width apart and adjust until your wrists sit under your shoulders and the position feels steady.
- Can you do dips on parallettes?
- Yes, Rogue lists basic dips as a use for its parallettes. On low or medium bars you will need to bend your knees or lift your legs to clear the floor; for full straight-leg dips, a taller dip station is easier.
Sources
- Rogue Bolt Together Parallette Set (roguefitness.com), Rogue Fitness (maker)
- Top 10 Things to Know About the Second Edition of the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans (odphp.health.gov), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (ODPHP)
- Wrist Sprains (orthoinfo.org), AAOS OrthoInfo