A thicker grip and a noticeably taller stance were the first things I felt when I switched from my usual wooden parallettes to GORNATION's metal pair. After years training on wood, would a heavier metal set actually improve my handstands and static holds, or just add weight for no reason? GORNATION built these as the bigger, sturdier alternative to the wooden parallettes most people start with. In this review I cover the grip and build quality, the height and weight tradeoffs, and how they held up when I tested push-ups, handstands, planche and Dragon variations on them. By the end you will know whether the metal parallettes fit your training setup better than a standard wooden pair.
Watch the Full Review
Unboxing and Assembly
I filmed this review outside at my usual training spot so I could put these through a full workout right after unboxing them. Assembly took two to three minutes, no tools drama, no instructions I had to squint at. Each leg screws into the base plate with the included hardware, and the whole thing felt solid the moment I tightened the last screw.
Grip and Build Quality
I have trained on wooden parallettes for years and my hands are used to that grip, so I went into this comparison expecting to prefer the wood. That is not quite how it went.
The metal bars are a bit thicker than a standard wooden parallette. I actually prefer the extra thickness once I got a few sets in, it feels more stable in the wrist and gives my hand more to grip onto during static holds. The surface itself is comfortable even without chalk, no slip, no need to fight the bar. For a total beginner working on push-ups or early handstand holds, that grip makes the learning curve less scary. There are small texture details on the grip that are hard to catch on camera, but I could feel them, and they add to how secure the hold feels.
Who it is for: anyone who wants a firmer, more planted grip than wood gives, especially if you already find thin wooden bars slippery under load.
Height, Weight and Stability
These are the tallest parallettes I have personally trained on. Height alone does not tell you much though, what matters is whether that height holds up under real work, and it does. I tested handstands, higher-level holds like the Dragon variation, front lever touches and bent-elbow front lever positions, and the extra clearance opened up options I do not get from lower parallettes. I would not change the height at all.
The weight is the tradeoff. These are noticeably heavier than a regular pair of parallettes. For home training that is a plus, not a con, you do not need to load them down with extra weight plates to stop them sliding or tipping. They just sit there and hold their ground through push-ups, handstands and skill work. Carrying them to the gym is easy enough. Carrying them abroad for a travel workout is where the weight starts to work against you, and that is the one real limitation I found.
Who it is for: lifters training mainly at home or in a fixed gym setup who want maximum stability and are not planning to pack these in a suitcase.
Testing Them Under Load
Key Takeaway
Specs only tell half the story. What actually matters is whether a parallette holds still under a handstand or a planche press, not just how it looks on a table. These held their ground through every skill I threw at them, which is the real reason I would recommend the metal version to anyone training seriously at home.
Numbers and specs only tell half the story, so I put them through the actual work. Push-ups first, easy and stable.
Handstand push-ups next, light and controlled, comfortable even without chalk. I could push closer to my real limit than I can on some other parallette sets, because these do not shift or tip sideways under pressure.
From there I moved into planche work and planche press attempts, and the Dragon variation I mentioned earlier. Every rep felt planted.
They handle like a small set of dip bars rather than a delicate pair of parallettes, which is exactly what you want once you are past the beginner stage and loading real bodyweight tension through your wrists.
If you are working toward any of these static holds and want structured guidance rather than trial and error, that is exactly the kind of thing I cover in online coaching.
GORNATION Metal Parallettes Specs
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Material | Steel, matte black powder coat |
| Height | 40 cm |
| Length | 65 cm |
| Bar diameter | 40 mm |
| Weight | 7.7 kg per pair |
| Load capacity | Up to 500 kg per pair |
| Grip | Matte steel, textured, non-slip, comfortable without chalk |
| Assembly time | 2 to 3 minutes |
| Extras | Includes Grip Tape 2.0 (10m roll), rubber end caps |
| Price | 99.90 EUR |
Who it is for: anyone training mainly at home or in one gym who wants the most stable, tallest base for handstands, planche and higher-level static holds.
GORNATION Wooden Parallettes Specs
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Material | 100% beech wood |
| Height | Low profile, floor-exercise height |
| Length | 30 cm (Extended version) |
| Weight | Lighter than the metal pair |
| Grip | Natural wood, absorbs sweat, rougher texture |
| Assembly time | Minimal, comes largely pre-built |
| Price | 59.90 EUR |
Who it is for: anyone who travels with their equipment, trains outside often, or prefers a lighter, more portable setup over maximum stability.
Which One Should You Buy?
If your training happens mostly at home or in one gym and you want the most stable base possible for skills, handstands and static holds, the metal parallettes are the ones I would point you toward. The extra height, the extra thickness in the grip and the added weight all work in your favor when the goal is maximum performance rather than portability. If you travel a lot or like to train outside and move your setup around, GORNATION's smaller wooden parallettes are the more sensible pick, they are lighter, cheaper and easier to carry. I do not think there is a wrong choice here, it comes down to where you actually train, not which pair looks better.
On price, the metal pair costs about 40 EUR more than the wooden version, and that difference buys you the extra height, the load capacity and the stability that comes with the added weight. If you are training static holds seriously and staying mostly in one place, that gap is worth paying. If your budget is tighter or you move around a lot, the wooden pair still covers push-ups, handstands and planche work perfectly well.
Frequently Asked Questions About the GORNATION Metal Parallettes
Are metal parallettes better than wooden ones?
Better depends on your setup. Metal gives you more stability and a thicker grip, which I personally prefer, but wooden parallettes are lighter and easier to travel with.
Do I need chalk to use these parallettes?
No. The grip felt comfortable and non-slip even without chalk, though chalk will still add extra security if your hands sweat during longer sessions.
Can beginners use the GORNATION metal parallettes?
Yes. The stable base makes basic push-ups and early handstand attempts feel safer, since the bars do not shift under you the way lighter parallettes can.
Are these parallettes tall enough for handstands and skill work?
Yes, they are the tallest parallettes I have personally trained on, and the extra clearance helps with handstands, front lever touches and higher-level holds like the Dragon.
Are the metal parallettes hard to assemble?
No. Assembly took me about two to three minutes with no complicated steps involved.
Can I take these parallettes with me when I travel?
You can, but the added weight makes them less convenient for travel than a lighter wooden pair. For home or gym training the weight is an advantage, not a downside.
Daniel Hristov is a four-time calisthenics world champion and coach. He shares the exact methods he uses to train his own athletes.
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