7 Best Weightlifting Chains in 2024
If you ever went to a gym, you might’ve stumbled upon some chains. And while these can be easily mistaken for some prison chains or something crazy like that – you’d be very wrong! I mean, obviously, you are on a fitness site.
Weightlifting chains are a popular accessory for serious lifters and fitness enthusiasts alike. By using the best weightlifting chains on the market, you can add a layer of challenge to your workout routine, helping you build strength and muscle faster and in a new way.
In this article, I’ll talk about the key features you should look for when shopping for chains and some top products on the market today, as well as how you should use them during a workout.
So, whether you’re a seasoned lifter or starting out, you will find suitable chains among the 7 best weightlifting chains I’ve reviewed for you.
Let’s dive in!
In a hurry?
In a hurry and can’t keep reading? How about you check out the ROGUE Chains Kits.
These sets come in two lifting chains, each with a leader chain and carabiner for proper usage. You can choose from 10 lb and 15 lb lifting chains, with ½” and 5/8″ chain options, respectively, and stack multiple sets for heavier sessions.
Top 7 Best Weightlifting Chains Reviewed
- ROGUE Chains Kits – Top Pick
- TITAN FITNESS 6 ft 3/4-In Heavy Chains – Runner-Up
- HAPPYBUY Weight Lifting Chains
- ROPEFIT Weight Lifting Steel Chains
- LOGEST Weight Lifting Chains with Collars
- ADVANTAGE RIGGING Weight Lifting Chain Package
- ADER Fitness Weight Lifting Chain Set
Product | Total | Adjustability | Durability | Material Quality | Price/ Quality |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rogue | 38.5 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 9.5 |
Titan Fitness | 37.5 | 9.5 | 9 | 9 | 10 |
Happybuy | 37 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 |
ROPEFIT | 37 | 9.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 9 |
Logest | 36 | 9.5 | 8.5 | 9 | 9 |
Advantage Rigging | 35 | 9 | 8.5 | 8.5 | 9 |
Ader Fitness | 35 | 10 | 8.5 | 8.5 | 8 |
1. ROGUE Chains Kits
- Material: Steel
- Length: 4 ft
- Item Weights: 20 lb. (9 kg) – 100 lb. (45 kg)
- Package: Kits contain chains with a carabiner + 4-foot chains with a carabiner to mount around a barbell
- Additional Features: Zinc Electroplated to prevent rust. Sleek design. Chains are designed to drape over your shoulders (extra weight and improving your grip)
Check out the Rogue Chain Kit — my pick for the best overall weight lifting chains on this list.
These sets come in two lifting chains, each with a leader chain and carabiner for proper usage. You can choose from 10 lb and 15 lb lifting chains, with ½” and 5/8″ chain options, respectively, and stack multiple sets for heavier sessions.
They are zinc electroplated to prevent rust from sweat during those intense workouts.
Keep in mind that the 5-pound weight of the leader chain and carabiner should be accounted for when layering weights for a heavy lift. The 1 ⁄ 4″ leader chains with carabiners allow for proper hanging from the highest position and resting on the floor at the bottom of your exercise.
The Rogue Chain Kit offers options for different experience levels and is 4′ long. As a general guideline, Rogue suggests using chains that are around 10-20% of your 1 rep max for each exercise.
If you are looking to upgrade your workout, then I suggest you give these weightlifting chains a go! You won’t regret it.
These sets come in two lifting chains, each with a leader chain and carabiner for proper usage. You can choose from 10 lb and 15 lb lifting chains, with ½” and 5/8″ chain options, respectively, and stack multiple sets for heavier sessions.
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2. TITAN FITNESS 6 Ft 3/4-In Heavy Chains
- Material: Steel
- Length: 6 ft
- Item Weights: Approx. 62 lb
- Package: Pair of heavy chains and 2 carabiners
- Additional Features: Chains are designed in such a way that they are lighter at the bottom and heavier at the top
The 2nd place and silver medal goes to Titan Fitness's heavy weight lifting chains. These bad boys are all you need if you are looking to take your workout to the next level. They almost made it to the first spot, if not for the lack of rust protection and potential delivery issues.
Titan Fitness Heavy 6' Chains are a great choice for those who value quality over cost. And best of all – they aren’t even that costly compared to some other chains on this list.
These chains are 5/8" thick and include carabiners for easy attachment to connector chains, ensuring that the chains hang low and rest on the floor. Made of heavy-duty steel, these chains are very strong and dependably durable.
Compared to the RopeFit chains, these Titan chains are shorter, which makes them easier to handle and less fiddly. However, they only come in one weight option of 63 lbs, making them less versatile than the RopeFit range. Elevating the chains off the floor is still necessary, though it's not as severe as with the RopeFit model. Unfortunately, there's a lack of galvanization, which could lead to rust if proper storage isn't maintained.
Whether you have a plethora of questions that need answering or are experiencing difficulties with delivery, their customer care is there for you. If you're serious about lifting weights and value quality above all else, as it seems you do (given that you're reading this), I recommend this chain.
Titan Fitness Heavy 6' Chains are a great choice for those who value quality over cost. Made of heavy-duty steel, these chains are very strong and dependably durable.
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3. HAPPYBUY Weight Lifting Chains
- Material: Q235 Steel
- Length: 5 ft
- Item Weights: 26 lb. – 44 lb. (12 kg – 20 kg)
- Package: Pair of chains + a pair of 2’’ wide durable collars that can fit on an Olympic barbell
- Additional Features: Zinc coated. Suitable for Olympic bars. Can be detached in two separate chains
Landing in the third spot, we have chains by HappyBuy. You’d think that a non-specialized fitness store cannot produce a great fitness tool or accessory – but you’d be surprised. Let’s check what they’re all about.
Two chains, each measuring 5 feet in length, are presented here for your perusal. The Happybuy Weight Lifting Chains may be purchased in pairs weighing 26, 35, or 44 pounds. So you really do have some options here. Regardless of whether you're a beginner and are looking for something light, or perhaps you're a seasoned fitness veteran that is looking to get the mid-weight stuff, you'll be able to find something that'll suit you.
The chains come with collars that can be fastened with L-screws (no tools required). In addition, the collars have a diameter of 2 inches and a length of 3 inches, making them suitable for Olympic barbell chains.
There's also a spring snap hook located in the center of each chain. That implies a single chain that is 5 feet long may be divided into two distinct chains.
Obviously, you can put them to use in a variety of different workouts.
The chains come with collars that can be fastened with L-screws (no tools required). In addition, the collars have a diameter of 2 inches and a length of 3 inches, making them suitable for Olympic barbell chains.
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4. ROPEFIT Weight Lifting Steel Chains
- Material: Steel
- Length: 5 ft
- Item Weights: 28 - 60 lb.
- Package: 2x 5 foot 1/2" chain sections, 2x 4 foot 3/16" leader chains, 2 spring links
- Additional Features: Galvanized for rust resistance. Choose from 1.5’’ x 5’-7’ and 5/8’’ x 5’-7’ chain thickness
Ropefit Weight lifting Chains follow. Dazed. Ropefit has large chains for weightlifting and docking small ships.
As a fitness and gym equipment specialist, I recommend the RopeFit Weight Lifting Chains for beginners. They are great chains for gym usage. For beginners, they provide weight choices beginning from 20 lbs.
You may add chains to make them heavier for experienced athletes. RopeFit chains may be easily attached to the barbell using the leader chains. I propose reducing the chains since they're 7', which may make the weight at the peak of the movement uncertain.
Forged steel chains resist rust. They have no collars and leader chains that wrap around the bar for easy usage. Beginners seeking diversity and resistance can choose the RopeFit Weight Lifting Chains.
Forged steel chains resist rust. They have no collars and leader chains that wrap around the bar for easy usage. Beginners seeking diversity and resistance can choose the RopeFit Weight Lifting Chains.
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5. LOGEST Weight Lifting Chains With Collars
- Material: Steel
- Length: 5.5 ft
- Item Weights: 15-45 lb
- Package: Kits contain a pair of chains and a pair of clips.
- Additional Features: Galvanized. 4 weight capacities (15, 25, 35, 45 lb.)
I tried the LOGEST Weight Lifting Chains With Collars next. The product and my opinions are below.
The Logest weightlifting chain is adaptable. It's an excellent middle ground between Ader and RopeFit, weighing 53 pounds.
This 5.5-foot chain fits most persons under 6'4 and has a locking mechanism to prevent it from touching the floor during squats. Properly stored, the robust galvanized steel finish should endure years. Logest's pressure collar latching is unique. It attaches the workout chains straight to the barbell without rotation, slack, or difficult sizing.
This 5.5-foot chain fits most persons under 6'4 and has a locking mechanism to prevent it from touching the floor during squats. Properly stored, the robust galvanized steel finish should endure years.
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6. ADVANTAGE RIGGING Weight Lifting Chain Package
- Material: Steel
- Length: 5 ft chain, 6 ft ladder chain
- Item Weights: 42.6 lb – 65.6 lb
- Package: 2 chains, 2 leader chain, 4 couplers for adjusting
- Additional Features: Large clamps used to connect the smaller and larger chains. Gold colored chains for a slick finish
The penultimate chain on this top list is the one by Advantage Rigging.
The Advantage Rigging chains come with carabiners for attachment and provide up to a combined 65 lbs of resistance, making them heavy and suitable for advanced lifters. If you're a heavy-duty lifter, these chains will make you happy. Plus, they are gold-plated - so you'll not only get great exercise chains, but you'll look great while doing it as well.
This weightlifting chain offers adjustability and comes in pairs of 65.6 lbs or 32.8 lbs per chain. They're 5 feet long and come to your choice of ⅝," and ½" thickness, and can be adjusted to match the user's height and the resistance of the lift.
These chains are great powerlifting chains, They are meant for weightlifters, fitnessers and come with two snap links and carabiners.
If you're a heavy-duty lifter, these chains will make you happy. Plus, they are gold-plated - so you'll not only get great exercise chains, but you'll look great while doing it as well.
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7. ADER Fitness Weight Lifting Chain Set
- Material: Steel
- Length: 5.5 ft
- Item Weights: 45 lb
- Package: Pair of chains. 22.5 lb. each. You also get collars
- Additional Features: Non-toxic black oxide finish, dipped in oil
Here we go - last, but most certainly not least, we have the Ader Weight Chains. And let me tell you. All 7 items on this list are close, and it wasn't easy to place them. But here we are, so let's see why this one ended last.
The Ader Barbell Weight Lifting Chain Kit are great chains for barbell usage. It is also a great option, with your choice of black or zinc lifting chains in 30, 45, and 60 lbs. The heavy-duty forged steel is dipped in oil for a non-toxic oxide finish, and each chain is about 60 inches long with varying thicknesses between ½. 5/8 and ¾ inch, secured with zinc shaft collars.
The chains may be safely and effectively fastened in place with this design. These chains are long-lasting and resistant to chipping. Therefore, they are a good option for your weightlifting demands, as noted by their users.
The heavy-duty forged steel is dipped in oil for a non-toxic oxide finish, and each chain is about 60 inches long with varying thicknesses between ½. 5/8 and ¾ inch, secured with zinc shaft collars.
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What are The Uses of Weightlifting Chains?
Weightlifting chains are a versatile tool that can provide a unique and effective way to challenge your muscles and take your training to the next level.
Whether you're a seasoned weightlifter or just starting out, incorporating weightlifting chains into your routine can provide various benefits, from increased resistance to improved grip strength.
Let's dive in and see how these bad boys can help you achieve your fitness goals!
1. Add Some Oomph to Your Lifts
Attach the chains to your barbell and lift away. The added weight will make your muscles work harder as you progress through the range of motion.
Tips From the Champ
Weightlifting chains can boost any workout routine. They may help you grow strength, muscle, and fitness quicker with their changing resistance and muscle group targeting. Look for high-quality, adjustable weightlifting chains. A solid pair of weightlifting chains may improve your training, so concentrate on something other than the pricing.
Olympic Weightlifting Champion
2. Target Specific Muscle Groups
You can adjust the length of the chains to target different areas of your muscles. So, chains got you covered whether you're looking to beef up your quads, hamstrings, or lats.
3. Mix Up Your Training
Tired of the same old barbell exercises? Add some chains to your routine to switch things up and challenge your muscles in new ways.
4. Train Explosively
The dynamic resistance provided by the chains can help improve your explosive power, making it an excellent tool for athletes and powerlifters.
5. Get a Bear-Like Grip
The added weight and instability of the chains can help improve your grip strength, making it an excellent tool for those looking to strengthen their grip for rock climbing or grappling
So, whether you're a seasoned pro or a newcomer to the weightlifting game, give those chains a try! They might give you the edge you need to take your training to the next level.
What to Look for in Weightlifting Chains?
To obtain the most terrific deal on weightlifting chains, consider these tips. Here's a fast checklist with a bit of personality.
1. Adjustability
Weightlifting chains with movable links let you regulate the weight you lift. This simplifies improvement and prevents plateaus. The ability to adjust chain length allows you to target particular muscle groups, including the quadriceps, hamstrings, and lats.
2. Durability
This is an essential factor to consider when it comes to weightlifting chains. After all, you don't want your chains breaking mid-lift, causing you to drop the weight and potentially causing injury. And that's just a horrible outcome. So, when shopping for weightlifting chains, it's crucial to look for ones built to last.
3. Material Quality
Chains that can sustain heavy lifting are best. Choose stainless steel or heat-treated carbon steel chains. Durable, rust-resistant, and long-lasting, these materials maximize strength training. To guarantee the chains won't break during your lift, check the links and fastenings.
4. Price/Quality
The key is to strike a balance between price and quality. Look for reasonably priced chains made from high-quality materials, such as stainless steel or heat-treated carbon steel, which offer excellent value for money. In addition, consider the brand reputation and customer reviews when deciding to ensure that you're purchasing chains with a track record of quality and performance. With a bit of research, you can find affordable and top-notch weightlifting chains that are perfect for reaching your strength training goals.
If you consider these aspects while buying weightlifting chains, you'll have a more successful and fun strength training experience.
How to Use Weightlifting Chains Right?
To take your weightlifting game to the next level, you'll need to know how to use weightlifting chains correctly. It's not just about adding weight to your bar. It's about strategically using the chains to target specific muscle groups and enhance your lifting performance.
1. Chain Length Should Be
Make sure you have appropriate length chains before commencing any scheduled activities. Adjust the chain length to target your quadriceps, hamstrings, or lats.
2. Maintain Chain Tension
It is critical to maintain some stress on the chains during lifting, since this ensures that your muscles are being exercised to their utmost potential.
3. Start Light, then Build-Up
Start with lesser weights and progressively raise as you grow acquainted with weightlifting chains. To master the workout and retain control, this is crucial. Chains feel quite different from barbells, dumbbells, and weight vests (depending on the type of exercise you are planning to use the chains for). Increase the weight as you gain confidence.
4. Do Various Exercises to Maximize Gains
It's also crucial to incorporate a variety of exercises and rep ranges into your routine to challenge different muscle fibers and see the best results.
Remember that the chains are just one part of a comprehensive weightlifting program; utilize them in combination with other methods and tools to build muscle and strength. Keep your mind sharp and focused to perform the chain workout correctly. Soon enough, you'll be able to lift more weight than ever before.
FAQ
How Heavy Should Weightlifting Chains Be?
Start with chains that weigh 10% of your lift weight. You'll need 10-pound chains to lift 100 pounds. This will provide tough but controllable resistance to increase strength and muscle. To challenge yourself, progressively raise the chain weight as you grow stronger.
Chains target certain muscle parts since their weight is unevenly distributed. This is why it's crucial to use workout chains that give resistance without affecting your form or technique.
How Long Should Weightlifting Chains Be?
The kind of workouts, bar height, and body size will determine the length of your weightlifting chains. Choose chains that reach the ground as you start. As soon as you lift, the chains engage, delivering the resistance you need to target particular muscle regions.
Squats and deadlifts need longer chains that reach the ground. Shorter chains that simply touch the ground in the upper position may be beneficial for lat pull-downs and rows.
Chain length should also be determined by bar height and body size. Longer chains for taller people and vice versa. Try various lengths to find the best fit for your body and routines.
Are Weightlifting Chains Worth It?
Weightlifting chains may enhance any exercise, depending on your objectives and training program. Weightlifting chains provide varying resistance. This makes lifting more intense and demanding, helping you grow strength and muscle. Weightlifting chains may target specific muscle groups. Adjusting chain length lets you concentrate on particular regions by changing resistance.
Weightlifting chains are only for some. Start with simple barbell workouts to improve strength. Weightlifting chains may challenge you and improve your training.
Conclusion
Weightlifting chains can boost any workout routine. They may help you grow strength, muscle, and fitness quicker with their changing resistance and muscle group targeting. Look for high-quality, adjustable weightlifting chains. A solid pair of weightlifting chains may improve your training, so concentrate on something other than the pricing.
Goals and training style determine the finest weightlifting chains. So investigate, test several chains, and pick the finest ones. With the appropriate chains, you'll dominate the gym!
ROGUE CHAINS PICK received the highest score and earned my TOP PICK rating. They're the best value for your money and, out of all the candidates, the best weightlifting chains you can incorporate into your workout regime. They will also last you for a long time.
If you have already used any of my 7 recommended weight lifting chains or have just now decided to buy any, please share your thoughts and impressions via the comment section below. I would be delighted if you would share your experience and tell me if my weightlifting chains review helped you get the right one.
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References:
- How Much Weight Should You Be Lifting at the Gym? // Healthline: https://www.healthline.com/health/how-much-weight-should-I-lift-at-the-gym
- Cast Iron Vs Steel: Differences Between These Metals and Pros and Cons // Rapid Direct: https://www.rapiddirect.com/blog/cast-iron-vs-steel/
- Top 4 Reasons You Need to Train With Chains // Ultimate Performance: https://blog.ultimateperformance.com/top-4-reasons-you-need-to-train-with-chains/
- WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT LIFTING WITH CHAINS // GAT WHP:
- https://gatsport.com/blogs/gat-train/lifting-with-chains
- Use of chains as a means of intensifying the load in resistance training // Efsupit:
- http://efsupit.ro/images/stories/februarie2019/Art68.pdf
- CHAIN-RESISTANCE TRAINING // Scienceforsport: https://www.scienceforsport.com/chain-resistance-training/
- Pros and cons of using weight lifting chains // BodybuildingWizard: https://bodybuilding-wizard.com/weight-lifting-chains-benefits/lifting-chains-benefits-drawbacks/
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Author: Ihor Shymechko
Pro Olympic Weightlifter, Coach
Best Results: Snatch – 208 kg,
C&J – 240 kg
Ihor has been a professional weightlifter since 1996, boasting over two decades of competition experience. His notable achievements include clinching the European Championship in 2009 and securing a silver medal in the 105kg division at the Senior World Championships in 2011. Ihor represented his country in the 2008, 2012, and 2016 Summer Olympics. After retiring from competitive weightlifting, he transitioned to coaching, leveraging his vast experience to guide athletes who now compete on both national and international stages.
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