Grip equipment comparison
Monkee Grips vs. Fat Gripz: Which Is Right for Your Training?
Both make your hands work harder, but they create different challenges. Fat Gripz increase the diameter of a rigid handle. Monkee Grips replace that handle with rope, adding a friction-based support-grip challenge to hangs, pulls, carries, and cable exercises.
Choose Fat Gripz for thick-bar work on familiar handles. Choose Monkee Grips when you want rope-grip endurance during hangs, carries, pulling movements, and compatible cable exercises.
- One pair
- Portable setup
- Free U.S. shipping
Monkee Grips attach with a girth hitch. Training equipment is not included.
Start with your goal
The better choice depends on what you want to train.
You want a thicker version of a familiar handle.
They suit curls, presses, rows, and other lifts where you want to increase handle diameter while keeping the movement familiar.
You want rope to become the connection to the load.
They suit dead hangs, pull-ups, supported pulls, farmer holds, carries, and cable exercises where support-grip endurance is part of the workout.
You want two different grip challenges.
Thick-handle training and rope-grip training can complement each other. The exercise and load determine which tool makes sense that day.
Side-by-side comparison
Two tools. Two different demands.
There is no universal “faster” tool because grip strength is specific to the task. This comparison shows what changes when you use each one.
| Training factor | Fat Gripz | Monkee Grips |
|---|---|---|
| How the tool changes the exercise | Thickens a rigid handle | Replaces the handle with rope |
| Primary hand challenge | Closing around a larger diameter | Maintaining friction and support on rope |
| Strong exercise matches | Curls, presses, rows, barbell and dumbbell work | Hangs, pull-ups, supported pulls, holds, carries, and cable work |
| Beginner scaling | Reduce the weight used | Use lighter loads, supported positions, or shorter holds |
| Portable | Yes | Yes |
| Best fit | Thick-handle strength and forearm-focused lifting | Rope-grip endurance built into existing workouts |
The meaningful difference
Monkee Grips change how you connect to the exercise.
A thick sleeve still gives your hand a firm horizontal handle. Rope asks your fingers, palm, and forearm to keep you from sliding. That makes the grip challenge especially noticeable during hangs, carries, and pulling movements.
You control the difficulty through the exercise, assistance, load, and hold time. You do not need to perform a full bodyweight hang to begin.
See the grips and choose a version
Where Monkee Grips fit
Make the exercises you already do train your grip.
- Hangs and pull-ups: add a rope-grip challenge to vertical pulling.
- Farmer holds and carries: train grip with an external load instead of full bodyweight.
- Rows and supported pulls: keep your feet grounded while you build control.
- Cable exercises: pair the grips with compatible adapter hardware for rows, pulldowns, curls, and other movements.
Choose a load and setup you can control. Inspect the grips and attachment point before each session.
A practical first pair
Start with Level 1 and scale the exercise.
Level 1 Original is the broadest starting point for rope-grip training. Beginners can use it for supported positions or lighter loaded holds, while experienced athletes can increase the exercise difficulty or load.
Common questions
Before you choose
Do Monkee Grips build grip strength faster than Fat Gripz?
No single tool wins every comparison. Monkee Grips are more specific to rope-based support-grip endurance, while Fat Gripz are more specific to squeezing a thicker rigid handle. The faster choice depends on the grip quality and exercise you want to improve.
Can I use Monkee Grips if I cannot do a pull-up or dead hang?
Yes. Start with your feet supported, use a lean-back hold or row, or attach the grips to lighter external loads. Full bodyweight hanging is one progression, not the entry requirement.
Can Monkee Grips be used with dumbbells or kettlebells?
Yes, when the equipment provides a compatible and secure attachment point. Loaded holds and carries let you select a manageable weight and build from there.
Are Monkee Grips only for advanced athletes?
No. The load and exercise supply the progression. Level 1 can be used for beginner supported holds, carries, rows, hangs, and pull-ups.
Can I still use Fat Gripz?
Yes. The products create different training demands and can be used in the same program. Fat Gripz suit thick-handle lifting; Monkee Grips suit rope-grip hangs, pulls, holds, carries, and compatible cable work.
Bring rope-grip work to your routine
You could add another forearm routine—or make your current workout train your grip.
Attach Monkee Grips to compatible equipment, choose a load you can control, and build from where you are.
