I'll start with a little context so you know this isn't coming from a casual gym-goer. I've been training consistently for over 25 years across a wide range of modalities: CrossFit, yoga, bodybuilding, calisthenics, acrobatics, and martial arts. I've tried just about every grip accessory and training aid out there over the decades, so when something genuinely impresses me, it's worth talking about. First off, major kudos to the N-Gage team for coming up with this concept. Seriously, this is the kind of innovation the fitness space needs more of. I picked up the N-Gage Grips PRO and have put them through two solid exercises so far: bench press and bent-over pronated rows. In both movements, the difference in muscle isolation was immediately noticeable, and I mean significantly better. The stability of the grips was also outstanding. They stay locked in place and let you focus entirely on the muscle you're targeting instead of fighting the equipment. So stable. Now, full disclosure: my Type A personality had me spending a solid chunk of time obsessing over the exact perfect placement on the bar before my first set. But hey, that's a me problem, not a product problem. For context, I've been a loyal user of Fat Gripz (the blue originals) and Fat Gripz Extreme (the orange ones) for many years. They increase bar diameter and I love them, still use them regularly. The N-Gage Grips PRO is a different animal though. It's not about thickening the grip; it's about changing how you engage with the bar entirely, and it does that brilliantly. My one piece of feedback for the N-Gage team: please make an Extreme version of these grips. If the PRO is already delivering this level of isolation and stability, I can only imagine what a larger or more aggressive version would do. That would absolutely be the next level, and I'd be first in line to buy them. Overall, this is a really solid product. It's clear that real thought and engineering went into the design. Great to see genuine innovation in the grip and barbell accessory space. Keep it coming, N-Gage. Read more
These grips are great for reverse grip incline bench press. They are easy to use and fit Olympic sized bars. If you want to rachet up your bench press, get these and use a reverse grip. It puts the focus directly on your upper pecs and reduces shoulder strain significantly. Read more
Absolutely great product. I use these for bench press and other barbell exercises, and I already feel more engagement during the workout. These are great for pullups too. Read more
Really help my form and shoulder pain Read more
Had to skip BB chest presses for years because of shoulder discomfort. These solved that. Read more
Not safe. I put 275 lb to test it with 60% of my strength and felt my grip go." Read more
Product appears to be well made so far. Definitely looks like it may have been used before then repackaged. There are no real directions so you have to go online and search images to see how the grip is supposed to go on the bar. I was not sure if it were to be facing a certain way or direction. I believe I figured it out however, I’m still playing with it. I’ve had it for about a week now. It does help with bench press however with dumbbells it didn’t fit very good on the weights. It’s almost like it’s too small for most things. It is short, but I also have large hands that could be a factor. Wouldn’t rated it higher than a three because it didn’t have directions or clear video footage of how to put it together. Might be a link or somewhere that I need to look at, but until I find that I can’t go higher than a three rating. I would say unless you really needed it I would pass on it. I do have a lot of experience in lifting and I’m an average lifter about 4 to 5 days a week. Read more
I am ashamed to say I was initially a bit confused by them and must have moved them back and forth and spun them around then switched left with right way more times than I should have. They do tell you how to do it if you realize there are instructions in the box (with pictures) so don't be me. Just look at the card and get the "ah-ha" moment. Basically they allow palms away orientations to push (bench) with the pinky slightly higher than the thumb and palms up orientations (curl) the thumbs to be slightly higher than the pinky. They kind of "slightly bend" a straight Olympic bar without making it into a full Swiss bar. It's probably about 60-75% of an EZ curl angle. I downloaded for the first workout with them so it may be too soon to tell but the pressure is clearly distributed into the grip and it does make it feel much more natural. Read more
