Guide To Buying Weightlifting Chains
Weightlifting Chains are heavy steel gage chains that assist resistance, which helps experience a smoother movement for exercises like squats, dips, and deadlifts. The idea is to have the weight decrease when you descend as the chains rest against the floor and similarly have the weight increase when returning to the original position as the chains get lifted along with the barbell, thus adding to its weight.
Product Comparison Table
Ader Fitness Weight Lifting Chain Set
Best overall
Titan 6 Foot 3/4" Heavy Chains
Most Durable Chains
Advantage Rigging Chain Package
Best Weightlifting Chains Set
What To Look for
05/02/2021
1
Get heavy chains that are at least 6 feet and loading chains that are 6.5 feet
- You’ll need some heavy chains at least 6 feet in length, along with a pair of loading chains of approximately 6.5 feet to support the heavier chains.
- Loading chains support the heavy chains by letting the latter hang from them while the loading chains are the ones actually connected to the bar. They ease the motion and help protect the bar and plates from getting scratches from the heavy chains.
- The length of the chain needs to be long enough to hang from the barbell to the floor so that it is able to stabilize the movement.
- If the chains are too short and hang above the floor, the moment they lift off the floor completely, the bar will become unstable. This is because of the sudden absence of pressure, which is otherwise keeping the movement smooth and stable.
2
They have to be heavy enough to make a difference.
The chain weight needs to be at least 10% of the barbell weight, including the bar and plates to make a noticeable difference in the stability and smoothness of the movement. For example, if the loaded barbell weighs 200lbs (90 kg), you will have to load chains of 20 lbs (9 kg).
3
Needs to have the right sized links/carabiners
Carabiners are necessary because they regulate the chain length and attach the heavy chains to the loading chains.
- You’ll need a pair of small carabiners for the loading chains and a pair of heavy-duty ones for the heavy chains.
- While buying, check the size of the carabiners to make sure they fit through the chain links.
4
Strength and resilience of the product.
- Heavy chains usually show rust only after a lengthy period of use but, once it sets in, the surface of the chain becomes abrasive and lowers the product quality by making it unsafe for use as the irregular surface becomes home to bacteria that can cause infections.
- Galvanized steel chains are more durable against wear and tear, which is necessary if you plan to store them in the open.
Top Picks
Best overall
Ader Fitness Weight Lifting Chain Set
For $189.00
- Easy to load due to the collar attachment
- Oxide finish prevents rust and chipping
- Variety of weights available
- The maximum weight available is 60 lbs
Most Durable Chains
Titan 6 Foot 3/4" Heavy Chains
For $114.99
- Heavy-duty steel less likely to chip and reduce in weight over time
- Ideal length chains
- Ideal for seasoned lifters
- Not galvanised
Best Weightlifting Chains Set
Advantage Rigging Chain Package
For $168.99
- Provide combined resistance of 65 lbs
- No shipping charge
- Ideal for experienced lifters
- The chains are too long
Common Questions
Q:Why do I need weightlifting chains?
A:
- You can use weightlifting chains to supplement any movement with an ascending resistance curve.
- They increase resistance as you move away from the ground and get lighter on the way back.
- This allows for explosive movements at the beginning and increased weight at the peak, both of which are conducive to muscle size and strength.
- This makes weightlifting chains a powerful tool for you if you are a powerlifter and strongman, as you can benefit from these explosive movements and also increase muscle tension through the entire range of motion.
- Even as a bodybuilder or sportsman, you can use weightlifting chains to progressively overload on movements like dips and squats.
Q:Is there an alternative to weightlifting chains?
A:
- You can use resistance bands as an alternative to weightlifting chains, but they don’t provide the exact same effect as a weighting chain does. You can also try to simulate the effects of a weightlifting chain by tweaking existing exercises.
- You can replace deadlift with chains by deadlift paused at the knee.
- You can replace bench press with chains with a bench press with resistance bands or bench press paused 3 inches above chest when you bring the bar to your chest.
Q:What is the difference between a resistance band and weightlifting chains?
A:
- The primary difference between weightlifting chains and resistance bands is that chains provide a linear increase in resistance while bands provide an exponential increase in resistance.
- As the resistance increases exponentially, bands require much higher eccentric strength and control.
- If you have ever done a fairly heavy, resistance band strength training exercise, such as the Squat, for example, you will feel the bands literally pulling you into the ground.
- Consequently, bands have a greater effect on the resistance gradient through the exercise’s range of motion.
Q:What are some of the exercises I can perform using weightlifting chains?
A:
- Some of the most popular exercises you can perform with weightlifting chains are squats, bench press, deadlifts, and dips.
- All of these exercises have an ascending resistance curve i.e., the exercise starts feeling easier as you rest more of the chains on the ground.
- This helps increase time under tension, making the workout more efficient.
Q:What size weightlifting chains do I need?
A:
- You can classify weightlifting chains according to their weights and lengths. However, the length of the chains takes precedence, as you cannot have them lift off the ground before reaching full muscle extension.For example, If you are a 6’ long person, you need at least 6’ long chains to properly squat.
- A rule of thumb could be to go for chains as long as the user’s height, and then take the strength of the user as a benchmark for the required weight.