Parallettes for Calisthenics: Types, Brands & Buying Guide

What are parallettes?

Parallettes are short parallel bars placed on the floor, used in calisthenics and gymnastics training. The name comes from “parallel bars” - the full-size gymnastics apparatus. Parallettes elevate your hands and allow a neutral grip, which reduces wrist strain and gives more range of motion for pressing and compression work.

Parallettes exercises

For planche training, parallettes are the standard surface at every stage from tuck planche through to the full hold. The rigid fixed base is better for shoulder alignment during long holds than bars or rings, which have some flex.

L-sits are another natural fit. The elevated grip lets you press down without pushing the wrist into extension - which is why parallette L-sits tend to be more comfortable than floor holds when starting out. Most people train L-sits on parallettes early and move to bar or floor holds later.

For push-up variations - deficit push-ups, archer push-ups, Bulgarian push-ups - parallettes hold the torque better than push-up handles, which rotate. High parallettes (20 cm or more) also cover dips (more range than most fixed dip bars) and deficit handstand push-ups.

Pike push-ups and planche push-ups round out the common uses. If a movement needs a stable, slightly elevated hand position, parallettes work.

Low parallettes vs high parallettes

	Low (4–8 cm)	High (15–30 cm)
Best for	Planche, L-sit, compression	Dips, deficit HSPU, push-ups
Center of gravity	Close to floor (ideal for horizontal holds)	Elevated (more range for vertical pressing)
Storage	Very compact	Bulkier
Who needs them	Anyone doing planche or statics	Athletes adding dips or HSPU

Most people start with low and buy high later, if at all. High parallettes only become relevant once your training regularly includes dips or deficit HSPU.

Some brands sell adjustable-height models. Worth considering if you want one pair to cover both use cases.

Wood, steel or PVC?

	PVC	Steel	Wood
Rigidity	Low to moderate	High	High
Weight	Light	Heavy	Medium
Grip texture	Smooth	Smooth (often knurled)	Natural, absorbs sweat
Price	Low	Medium to high	Medium to high
Best for	Beginners, light static work	Dynamic movements, heavy athletes	Home training, planche work

PVC is the cheapest option. It flexes under load, which you feel at higher bodyweight or during dynamic movements. Fine for starting out.

Steel holds any load without flex and is the most durable long-term. Heavier, which also helps it stay put on smooth floors.

Wood (usually beech or oak) is rigid, handles sweat better than bare metal, and is lighter than steel. Most people doing serious home training end up with wood or steel.

How to choose

For beginners, low PVC parallettes are a reasonable first buy. Affordable, they cover L-sits, tuck planche, and push-up progressions without issues.

Once you are working toward full planche or consistent dips, steel or wood is worth the upgrade. You will feel the stability difference as hold times get longer.

If you can only buy one pair, go with low parallettes in wood or steel. They cover the most common use cases and hold up long-term.

Best parallettes brands

Gornation

German brand, one of the most visible in the European calisthenics scene. Their Premium Parallettes Pro use a wood grip bar mounted on a steel adjustable frame - the width between the two bars is adjustable, which is uncommon at this price point. Available in low and high versions. Mid-to-premium price range. Ships across Europe.

Gorletic

Spanish brand with a distinctive design: wood grip bar mounted between two large polymer end pieces with rubber anti-slip pads on the bottom. The LowFit Pro is their main parallettes model, available in multiple colors and grip tape options. Solid build, good floor stability. Ships from Spain across Europe.

Caliathletics

Polish brand with a broad equipment range. Their parallettes come in wood and metal versions, at several price points. Known in the community for reasonable pricing and a strong content presence through their training programs.

Eric Flag

French brand focused on calisthenics and street workout. Their wooden parallettes are made from beech with rubber anti-slip soles. Clean minimal design, available in compact (15 cm grip) and long (30 cm grip) versions. Ships across Europe with relatively fast delivery.

Grip and wrist technique

Place hands at the center of the bar, fingers wrapping around the front. Keep wrists in line with the forearms. For planche, angling the knuckles slightly forward (30 to 45 degrees) helps with shoulder alignment and reduces forearm tension.

Wrist discomfort in the first weeks is normal - connective tissue adapts slowly. Build volume up gradually. Muscle soreness is expected; sharp joint pain is not. Stop if you feel the latter.

FAQ

Are parallettes worth it?

For planche or L-sit training, yes. The wrist angle alone changes how much volume you can handle comfortably. For general push-up work, useful but not essential.

What parallettes for planche training?

Low (4 to 8 cm), wood or steel. Minimal elevation keeps the body close to horizontal. Rigidity matters more than anything else at advanced planche levels.

Parallettes vs floor for L-sit?

Parallettes let you train the L-sit before your wrists are ready for flat-palm floor holds. Most people start on parallettes and move to floor or bar holds later.

How tall should parallettes be?

Low (4 to 8 cm) for planche and statics. High (15 to 30 cm) for dips and deficit HSPU. If buying one pair, go low.

Can I replace parallettes with push-up handles?

No. Push-up handles rotate under load by design. Parallettes are fixed. For static holds, that difference matters.

Can parallettes replace a pull-up bar?

No. Parallettes cover pushing and compression movements only. They complement a pull-up bar, not replace it.