Best Parallettes UK 2026: Wooden, Metal and Portable Picks

Parallettes are one of the best-value pieces of kit a home or calisthenics trainer can own. A single pair of small parallel bars unlocks L-sits, tuck planches, handstands, deep dips, deficit push ups and pistol squat support, all while keeping your wrists in a comfortable, neutral position rather than bent back on the floor. The trouble is that "parallettes" covers everything from tiny plastic push up grips to tall, welded steel bars built for planche training, and the cheap ones wobble or slide at exactly the wrong moment. This guide picks the genuinely good options on Amazon UK across wooden, metal, low and tall designs, for every budget and goal.

1. GORNATION Metal Parallettes: Best Overall

GORNATION is one of the best-known calisthenics brands, and its Metal Parallettes are the pair we would point most people towards if they want one set to grow into. They are made from solid steel with a tall design and a wide, non-slip base, so they stay planted whether you are grinding out L-sits or pressing into a tuck planche. The 40mm handles are a comfortable thickness, and the set ships with a length of grip tape so you can dial in the feel you want. The extra height also gives you room for deeper dips and deficit push ups.

The main thing to weigh up is that these are a premium set at a premium price, and the tall, stable build makes them heavier and less pocketable than mini bars. A handful of owners have also reported the occasional packaging or thread issue on arrival, so check yours over on delivery. Assembly is quick with the included tools. For a do-everything metal pair that will outlast years of hard use, they are our top pick.

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2. Gravity Fitness Medium Parallettes: Best for Most People

Gravity Fitness is a British calisthenics brand with a strong following, and its Medium Parallettes hit the sweet spot for the majority of home trainers. The mid height and hybrid wooden handles give you the best of both worlds: enough clearance for full range push ups and dips, plus the warm, grippy feel of wood for L-sits and longer holds. The frame is stable and well built, and the footprint is manageable in a home setting. For most people who want a single versatile pair without going to the very tall or very tiny extremes, this is the one.

The compromise is that a medium height is a jack of all trades. If your only goal is stability for planche and balance work you might prefer lower bars, and if you want maximum depth for dips you might prefer something taller. They are also a mid-range price rather than a budget buy. But as an all-round set from a respected UK brand, they are very easy to recommend.

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3. GORNATION Wooden Parallettes: Best Wooden Set

If you love the feel of wood, the GORNATION Wooden Parallettes are a beautifully made pair. The beech wood handles are warm, smooth and grippy even when your hands get sweaty, which makes them a joy for high-rep push ups and longer L-sit holds where metal can feel harsh. They are lightweight and portable, with non-slip feet that keep them steady, and they look smart enough to leave out rather than hide in a cupboard.

The trade-off with any lighter wooden set is that it is best suited to bodyweight skill work rather than the very heaviest dynamic loads. They are not as tall as dedicated dip bars, so deep dips are limited, and wood needs a little more care than steel over the years. For comfortable, portable, everyday calisthenics, though, they are a lovely bit of kit.

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4. RAMASS Fitness Low Parallettes: Best Low Bars for L-Sits

For L-sits, tuck planches and stability-focused skill work, low parallettes are the right tool, and the RAMASS Fitness Low Parallettes are a popular, well-reviewed choice on Amazon UK. Their low profile and wide, grippy base make them extremely stable, so they inspire confidence when you are learning to balance on your hands or holding a demanding static position. They are compact and easy to store or take to a park, and the build quality punches above the price.

Being low is the point, but it is also the limit. You will not get the deep clearance for dips or big deficit push ups that taller bars offer, so these work best as a dedicated skill and balance pair, ideally alongside a taller set if you want dips too. If your training is all about L-sits, handstands and planche progressions, they are a smart, affordable pick.

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5. Gravity Fitness Dip Bars XL: Best Tall Bars for Dips

When you want proper dips, deep deficit push ups and support for pistol squats, tall parallettes earn their keep, and the Gravity Fitness Dip Bars XL are built for exactly that. The extra height gives you full clearance to drop below your hands on dips, and the wider, adjustable 38mm handles and heavy-duty frame handle dynamic and heavier work without flexing or tipping. They effectively double as freestanding dip bars, which makes them a genuinely versatile bridge between parallettes and a dedicated dip station.

The catch is size and portability. Tall, heavy-duty bars take up more room and are not something you toss in a bag for the park, and they are one of the pricier options here. If your space and budget suit them, though, they cover more of the bodyweight training spectrum than any other pick on this list. To compare them with a full station, see our best dip station UK guide.

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Which parallettes should you buy?

The right parallettes depend on your training goals, your space and your budget. Here is the quick version:

• Best overall: the GORNATION Metal Parallettes are the tall, rock-solid do-everything pick if you want one set to grow into.
• Best for most people: the Gravity Fitness Medium Parallettes balance height, comfort and stability from a respected British brand.
• Best wooden set: the GORNATION Wooden Parallettes offer warm, grippy beech handles that are a pleasure for push ups and L-sits.
• Best low bars: the RAMASS Fitness Low Parallettes are the stable, affordable choice for L-sits, handstands and planche work.
• Best tall bars: the Gravity Fitness Dip Bars XL double as dip bars for deep dips and deficit push ups.

Whichever you choose, the deeper range and neutral wrist position that parallettes provide make them a brilliant companion to push ups and the rest of your bodyweight training. Just check the base is wide and non-slip, and test any new skill low and slow before you trust the bars with dynamic work.

Recommended reads

• Push ups: how to do them and muscles worked
• The best pull up bar in the UK
• The best dip station in the UK
• Home gym equipment guides