Best Parallettes [2025]

If you’ve been around calisthenics long enough, you know how game-changing a good set of parallettes can be—whether you’re pushing, pulling, or just trying to survive your first L-sit.

I’ve tested everything from budget Amazon picks to top-tier gear from GORNATION, and in this guide I’ll break down the best parallettes for every category and budget. I’ll share my personal experience, highlight the key differences, and let you know which exercises each type is best suited for.

🔥 TL;DR – My Top 3 Parallettes

1️⃣ GORNATION Dip Bars These are the most versatile and sturdy parallettes you can own. Perfect for heavy weighted dips, weighted push-ups, L-sits, front lever progressions, and even bodyweight rows. If you only buy one pair of parallettes—this is it.

2️⃣ GORNATION Premium Wooden Parallettes (Medium Height) The best all-rounders for handstand training, deficit push-ups, and planche progressions. The 40mm beech wood handle feels amazing, even when sweaty, and the medium height lets you use them as makeshift dip bars when elevated on boxes or chairs. Plus, they’re super compact and easy to store or take with you.

3️⃣ Kakiclay Dip Bars (Amazon link) The best budget-friendly dip bars. They’re nearly identical to the GORNATION ones in shape, height, and grip diameter, and even include grip tape. The main trade-offs? Slightly less stability during dynamic exercises, and a lower-quality finish—but still an excellent pick if you want value for money.

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After testing all of these parallettes myself, I realized it makes the most sense to break them down into four main categories, based on height and training use. Each category has its own strengths, and depending on your goals, one might suit you better than the others.

Here’s how I divided them:

1. Portable Dip Bars (High Parallettes) – Best for dips, front lever work, rows, and weighted push-ups.
2. Medium Parallettes a) Metal Medium Parallettes – Great for stability and durability. b) Wooden Medium Parallettes – My favorite for planche and handstand work.
3. Low Parallettes – Perfect for push-up variations, core training, and portability.
4. Push-Up Bars / Small Parallettes – Compact, travel-friendly, and kind on your wrists.

For each category, I’ll compare a premium option from GORNATION with a budget-friendly alternative from Amazon, highlight the pros and cons, and share what I personally liked (or didn’t) about training with each.

Let’s dive into the first category: Portable Dip Bars – the heavy-duty kings of home calisthenics.

1. Portable Dip Bars

Dip bars are the heavy-duty workhorses of the parallettes world. Their height—usually around 90 cm—makes them ideal for compound strength movements like dips, rows, and front lever progressions.

These are my go-to for weighted calisthenics. The waist-high design allows for a full range of motion in dips and L-sits. I often use a dip belt with weight plates, and the height ensures the plates hang freely without touching the ground. Additionally, placing each bar on some elevated surface effectively increases their height, accommodating taller athletes like myself (I’m 188 cm or 6’2”).

They’re also one of the few options that support horizontal pulling at home without a suspension trainer or bar setup. If you’re serious about building pushing strength and upper-body mass, this is where you start.

Best for:

• Dips (weighted or bodyweight)
• L-sits
• Tuck planches
• Handstand practice (if you’re stable!)
• Deficit push-ups (feet on a plyo box)
• Front-Levers
• Bodyweight rows
• Bicep curls

Pros:

• Exceptional stability with the connecting piece.
• Versatile for both beginners and advanced users.
• Wide base prevents wobbling.
• Quick and easy assembly.

Cons:

• Bulky for small spaces.
• Not super easily portable.
• The 90 cm height may be insufficient for taller individuals without modifications.

🏆 Best Portable Dip Bars:  GORNATION Dip Bars

 🛒 See Price on GORNATION ⬅️ (Use code CS10 for 10% off)

These are hands down my favorite tool for weighted calisthenics at home. They’re rock solid, the 90cm height works for most people (though at 188cm or 6’2”, I have to bend my knees), and the included grip tape is a great touch.

I love that I can attach a dip belt with plates and still get full range—no contact with the floor. I also often elevate the dip bars with some wooden blocks to make them even taller, which solves the height issue.

💸 Best Budget Portable Dip Bars: Kakiclay Dip Bars

🛒 See Price on Amazon ⬅️

Honestly, for a budget pick, these impressed me. The connection piece has multiple width options, and the grip diameter and height match the GORNATION bars. The powder coating and grip tape give a similar feel too.

What’s missing? The GORNATION bars feel more stable during dynamic work. The base on the Kakiclay version can feel slightly less planted during explosive dips or jump-throughs.

2. Medium Parallettes

Medium-height parallettes are the sweet spot between functionality and convenience. Tall enough to allow deeper ranges of motion (like in deficit push-ups or planche leans), but compact enough to stash easily or travel with. They offer great support for balance-focused skills like handstands, L-sits, and tuck holds. And if you elevate them on stable surfaces like boxes or chairs, they can double as makeshift dip bars. For anyone looking to train skills and strength with one tool, medium parallettes are probably your most versatile choice.

A) Medium Metal Parallettes

The powder-coated finish provides a decent grip, though I prefer the feel of wood. Elevating them on plyo boxes transforms them into makeshift dip bars, offering versatility in training.

Best for:

• Deficit push-ups
• Tuck planches
• L-sits
• Handstand push-up progressions
• Weighted dips (especially when elevated)

Pros:

• Suitable height for a variety of exercises.
• Sturdy with excellent floor grip.
• Durable construction.

Cons:

• Heavier than wooden counterparts.
• Can be cold to the touch in colder environments.
• Less tactile feel compared to wood.

🏆 Best Metal Parallettes: GORNATION Metal Parallettes

🛒 See Price on GORNATION ⬅️ (Use code CS10 for 10% off)

These are ideal if you want something sturdy for handstand push-ups or deficit push-ups without the height of full dip bars. I sometimes put them on plyo boxes to mimic dip bars—and it works beautifully.

💸 Best Budget Metal Parallettes: RELIFE Parallettes

🛒 See Price on Amazon ⬅️

They’re adjustable in height, which is great, but they’re not as clean and compact as the GORNATION ones. Still, they get the job done and support up to 660lbs.

B) Medium Wooden Parallettes

The natural grip of beech wood is unparalleled. These are my preferred choice for handstand holds and planche training. The 40 mm diameter feels just right, providing comfort and control during workouts.

Best for:

• Planche progressions
• L-sits
• Handstand training
• Deep push-ups

Pros:

• Excellent natural grip.
• Lightweight and portable.
• Aesthetic appeal.
• Durable and quiet on hard surfaces.

Cons:

• Shorter length may limit certain dynamic movements.
• Slight flex under dynamic loads.
• Requires maintenance to prevent sweat absorption.

🏆 Best Parallettes OVERALL:  GORNATION Premium Parallettes Max

🛒 See Price on GORNATION ⬅️ (Use code CS10 for 10% off)

The wooden handles here are a dream. They’re grippy, sweat-absorbent, and feel just right at 40mm diameter. I always prefer wood over metal for grip comfort and wrist alignment.

💸 Best Budget Wooden Parallettes: Bounabay Parallettes

🛒 See Price on Amazon ⬅️

Surprisingly solid for the price. The wood isn’t quite as refined and the base feels lighter, but if you want medium-height parallettes without breaking the bank, these will work.

3. Low Parallettes

These are my travel companions. Compact and lightweight, they’re perfect for on-the-go workouts. They also serve as excellent push-up bars, providing a neutral grip that’s kinder on the wrists.

Best for:

• Push-ups (neutral grip = wrist relief)
• L-sits
• Tuck sits
• Plank-to-L-sit transitions
• Planche lean progressions

Pros:

• Extremely portable.
• Great for beginners and warm-ups.
• No assembly required.
• Can be used with resistance bands for assisted exercises.

Cons:

• Limited range of motion compared to taller parallettes.
• Not suitable for deeper dips or swings.
• Lower profile makes handstand practice more challenging.

🏆 Best Wooden Low Parallettes: GORNATION Premium Parallettes Pro

🛒 See Price on GORNATION ⬅️ (Use code CS10 for 10% off)

These are my go-to for everyday push training. The wooden handle feels amazing and the base is heavy and wide, so they don’t slide around. They come pre-assembled too, which is always a win.

💸 Best Budget Low Parallettes: Pellor Wooden Parallettes

🛒 See Price on Amazon ⬅️

Pellor went all-wood here—including the base. That means they’re lightweight and portable, but slightly less stable than the GORNATION ones. Still, they grip the floor decently and the finish is solid for this price point.

4. Push-Up Bars

For wrist comfort during push-ups, these are unmatched. When I don’t have them on hand, I use hexagonal dumbbells as an alternative to maintain a neutral grip.

Best for:

• Push-ups (all variations)
• Core work (L-sits, knee raises)
• Handstand tuck holds
• Elevated planks

Pros:

• Ultra-portable and lightweight.
• Ideal for joint health.
• Comes assembled and ready to use.
• Incredibly sturdy for their size.

Cons:

• Too small for most advanced calisthenics skills.
• Limited elevation restricts range of motion.
• Not ideal for handstand or balance work.

🏆 Best Push-Up Bars: GORNATION Premium Parallettes Active

🛒 See Price on GORNATION ⬅️ (Use code CS10 for 10% off)

These are compact but powerful. Same amazing beech wood feel, same steel base with rubber feet. I love these for neutral-grip push-ups—especially when my wrists are bugging me. Also useful for L-sits on the go.

💸 Best Budget Push-Up Bars: Woodpower Powerbar XS

🛒 See Price on Amazon ⬅️

These are actually great if you want a fully wooden, eco-friendly alternative. The triangle base design adds some decent stability, though not quite on the level of the steel-base GORNATION bars.

Final Thoughts

Testing all these parallettes side by side gave me a real appreciation for how much small design differences affect training—especially when it comes to grip comfort, floor stability, and overall confidence in your equipment. What surprised me most was how much I ended up using different types of parallettes for different moods or phases in my training. There’s no single “perfect” pair for everyone, but there is a perfect setup for your current goals.

If you’re building out a home gym, I’d actually recommend starting with two sets if your budget allows: a higher set (like dip bars or elevated mediums) for pushing strength and full-body moves, and a low or medium set for hand balance work and core-focused exercises. This gives you maximum versatility without needing a full rig. It also lets you keep training through deload weeks, injuries, or specific mobility work—because not everything needs to be max effort.

Also worth considering: materials matter more than you think. I always thought metal would be more durable—and it is—but wood has completely won me over for most of my skill and technique training. It’s kinder on the wrists, has better grip when sweating, and just feels more “natural” under the hands. If you care about the feel of your equipment and how it supports your technique over time, it’s worth investing in something that helps you want to train more often.

To sum it all up: choose based on your goals, training frequency, and the space you have. Buy once, buy smart—and your parallettes will last for years. And no matter which set you pick, make sure you actually use them consistently. That’s what transforms your results—not just the gear.