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Steel workout clubs, also known as the steel version of Indian clubs and/or Persian clubs, can be a great piece of fitness equipment for training shoulder muscles, shoulder mobility, grip muscles, and more.
The best models help you with this in the most effective, convenient, and budget-friendly way.
Best steel workout clubs top picks
- Onnit Steel Clubs
- Retrospec Steel Clubs
- Logest Steel Exercise Clubs
- TAP Bell Clubs
- Clubbells by TACFIT
- Synergee Indian Clubs
- Apollo Athletics Iron Power Clubs (iron, not steel, as the name implies)
There are some typical weight recommendations if you are not sure yet what would be the right model for you. These consist of one pair of lighter steel workout clubs and one heavier model to do a variety of exercises.
Women who are somewhere between new to intermediate when it comes to resistance training can start with a pair of 10-pound steel clubs and one 15-pound model.
Men of the same skill level should typically get a pair of 15-pound steel workout clubs and one 20-pound model.
If you are experienced when it comes to resistance training you can get Indian/Persian clubs of one level heavier than these recommendations. Similarly, if you are not that strong (yet), you can start one level lighter.
How we selected our top picks
Our fitness experts spent a lot of time looking at and comparing all the different important factors of the best steel workouts clubs. Some of the things that were taken into consideration when making our selection include:
- Steel club finish, weight range to choose from, stability, etc.
- User reviews
- Anecdotal reviews from fitness experts
- Total price and price per pound
- Brand trustability
If a pick seems interesting click it to see the online prices.
7 Best steel workout clubs reviewed in depth
The list of the top picks is enough for most people to make a decision. You can also look at each of the best steel workout clubs a bit more in depth to confirm you are making the right decision.
1. Onnit Steel Clubs
Onnit is a somewhat well-known fitness brand. Especially when it comes to more alternative workout equipment like steel workout clubs. You would expect that the brand name and quality Onnit offers would come at a premium cost.
However, this is not the case. At the time of writing, Onnit is the most budget-friendly when it comes to price per pound.
Additionally, they have the biggest range of different weights. Onnit offers steel workout clubs ranging from 5 to 45 pounds (2.3 to 20.4 kg). Most of the other best steel club brands only offer models up to 20 pounds (9.1 kg).
This will be helpful for experienced individuals who want to keep overcoming their limits.
Pros
- Available in weights ranging from 5 to 45 pounds (2.3 to 20.4 kg)
- Powder coated to improve grip and durability
- Budget-friendly per pound
- A lot of happy customers
- Very positive ratio of customer reviews
Cons
- Some customers find the club a bit too slippery when sweating
Another helpful aspect of these steel workout clubs is the powder coating. This improves your grip and the durability of the clubs.
There are a few customers that would prefer a texture that is more grippy. These individuals find the steel workout clubs a bit too slippery when things get sweaty.
That being said, many more people are extremely happy with their investment. In combination with the helpful features and budget-friendly price, this makes the Onnit Steel Clubs our top pick for the best steel workout clubs.
2. Retrospec Steel Clubs
The Retrospec Steel Clubs are another great option but they are typically just a bit pricier than the previous option and available in fewer different weights.
Being able to challenge yourself is an extremely important principle when working out. Especially if you want to grow and strengthen muscles.
A steel workout club of 15 pounds (6.8 kg) is still challenging for many people but some individuals do want to choose one of the heavier options on the list.
Another potential downside is that there are a few exceptional cases where the Retrospec Steel Clubs arrived with chipped paint. This is not the end of your workouts but something you don’t want anyway.
Pros
- Available in weights ranging from 5 to 15 pounds (2.3 to 6.8 kg)
- Powder coated to improve grip and durability
- A lot of happy customers
- Very positive ratio of customer reviews
Cons
- Individuals more experienced with steel club training and resistance training in general may find the Retrospec Steel Clubs too easy
- A few exceptional cases where the steel clubs came with chipped paint
When it comes to upsides, the Retrospec Steel Clubs come powder coated to improve grip and durability.
Additionally, these steel workout clubs have a really high number of customers who tend to be really happy with their purchases. The price per pound is also still very reasonable.
3. Logest Steel Exercise Clubs
Pros
- Available in weights ranging from 5 to 15 pounds (2.3 to 6.8 kg)
- Coated to prevent rust and corrosion
Cons
- Some customers find the handle of the 15-pound model a bit short
- Individuals more experienced with steel club training and resistance training in general may find the Logest Steel Exercise Clubs too easy
The next option is another solid pick that is relatively budget-friendly per pound. Similar to many of the other steel workout clubs, this model is coated to prevent rust and corrosion.
One remark a few customers do have is that the handle of the 15-pound (6.8 kg) Indian/Persian club feels a bit short.
Additionally, the Logest Steel Exercise Clubs have the same potential disadvantage of having a limited range of different weights. Especially because customers don’t seem as happy with the 15-pound model.
4. TAP Bell Clubs
There are still some differences in lengths and weights but many steel workout clubs implement a very similar design. These TAP Bell Clubs are definitely an exception to that. This can be both good and bad.
One of the main key points is that these TAP Bell Clubs are relatively long. Most 10-pound steel workout clubs are around 16″ (40.6 cm) long.
The TAP brand does not mention specific lengths but one customer mentions his/her model is around 25″ (63.5 cm). Other customers with different weights mention similar long sizes.
This longer size will definitely be a different feel from other steel workout clubs but whether this is an upside or downside depends on things like training goals and personal preferences.
Pros
- Available in weights ranging from 4.4 to 27.6 pounds (2 to 12.5 kg)
- Some people like the longer-than-usual design
- Rubber coating can reduce pain and damage (but is still hard)
- Very positive ratio of customer reviews
Cons
- Some people don’t like the longer-than-usual design
- A few cases where clubs arrive covered in residue
Another difference is that the TAP Bell Clubs have a rubber coating to reduce pain and damage when you bump into yourself or an object. That being said, these steel clubs are still relatively hard.
Something that happens from time to time with fitness products with rubber is that they come with some oil on them. This is also the case with the TAP Bell Clubs every once in a while.
You can somewhat easily clean this off but no oil at all every time would be more customer-friendly.
The range of different weights is a bit above average but can still use some improvement. Additionally, keep in mind that the price per pound of these steel workout clubs is somewhat above average.
5. Clubbells by TACFIT
This next brand of steel workout clubs is another option with a more unusual design. The first and most unique thing that stands out is the knurling (grooves) on the handles.
Knurling is typical on barbells, dumbbells, etc. to make it easier to grip the piece of equipment. In steel workout clubs the handle is typically smooth to challenge grip muscles more and make moving the clubs around in your hands more comfortable.
What type of model you want is a case of training goals and personal preferences. The same goes for the above-average length of Clubbells by TACFIT.
For example, the 10-pound model is 22″ (55.9 cm) long whereas most of the standard steel workout clubs are around 16″ (40.6 cm) long.
Pros
- Available in weights ranging from 5 to 45 pounds (2.3 to 20.4 kg)
- Some people like the handle knurling (grooves)
- Rubber coating can reduce pain and damage (but is still hard)
- Some people like the longer-than-usual design
- Very positive ratio of customer reviews
Cons
- Some people don’t like the handle knurling (grooves)
- Pricier per pound than many other steel workout clubs
- Some people don’t like the longer-than-usual design
If you get a Clubbell by TACFIT you may need to go one weight level lower than the typical weight recommendations because of the challenge this longer length adds.
Besides that, TACFIT offers a wide variety of weights that should allow individuals at any skill level to find a model suited for them.
The rubber coating on the end of the steel workout club can help reduce pain and damage to some extent. Even so, it will still likely be relatively hard.
These Clubbells by TACFIT have some relatively unique features like the knurling that can make them worth the above-average price. The customers that did give these a try tend to be very happy with their investments.
6. Synergee Indian Clubs
The Synergee Indian Clubs are another solid implementation of the concept of workout clubs. One positive thing that stands out is that Synergee even offers pairs of 1 and 2 pounds (0.45 and 0.9 kg).
These two smaller models are made from plastic to keep the equipment big enough but this is a nice extra nonetheless.
Additionally, Synergee is one of the few brands that offer a lot of dimension details like the handle diameter of each of the different weights. This makes it so you won’t encounter any unwelcome surprises in this area.
Even so, these steel versions of Indian clubs, also known as Persian clubs, from Synergee also have some downsides.
Pros
- Available in weights ranging from 1 to 15 pounds (0.45 to 6.8 kg)
- Very specific description of the dimensions you can expect from each steel club
- Steel models are powder coated to improve grip and durability
- A lot of happy customers
Cons
- Only sold in pairs
- Not always in stock
- 1-pound and 2-pound models only come in plastic to make them big enough
- A few cases where the weight of the steel workout clubs is slightly off
- Powder coating is a bit off sometimes
- Individuals more experienced with steel club training and resistance training in general may find the Synergee Indian Clubs too easy
First of all, these steel workout clubs are only sold in pairs. If you want to start off by trying one or want to get one heavier workout club for two-handed exercises, you have to choose a different brand or invest a lot more.
Next, not all weights are always in stock and even if they are, there are a few cases where customers got steel workout clubs where the weights and powder coating were slightly off.
The slightly different weights are not the end of your training but not something you want anyway. Additionally, the suboptimal powder coating could make it so your steel workout clubs are not able to stand up straight.
That being said, the Synergee Indian Clubs still have a lot of happy customers. If you value the specific dimensions and/or happen to stumble on a good deal, you can still consider them.
7. Apollo Athletics Iron Power Clubs
These next workout clubs can still offer you a good workout but they are lacking compared to the other Indian/Persian clubs available.
First of all, as the name implies, the Apollo Athletics Iron Power Clubs are made from iron, not steel. Secondly, they are slightly pricier per pound than many other workout clubs. This would be fine if the quality made up for this but that is not the case.
Pros
- Available in weights ranging from 5 to 20 pounds (2.3 to 9.1 kg)
- Powder coated to improve grip and durability
Cons
- Individuals more experienced with steel club training and resistance training in general may find the Apollo Athletics Iron Power Clubs too easy
- A few cases where people order 2 steel clubs of the same weight and get different designs
- Pricier per pound than many other workout clubs
- Made of iron, not steel
There are a good amount of cases where customers order two workout clubs of the same weight but get different designs with different handles and weight distributions.
This makes them unsuited for doing one-handed exercises in a balanced way.
Lastly, the range of available weights of these workout clubs is enough for most people but not for more experienced individuals.
All in all, the Apollo Athletics Iron Power Clubs could be worth their price in terms of what health benefits you can get from them. However, there are simply many workout clubs that are better and more budget-friendly.
FAQ
Are steel clubs a good workout?
Steel clubs can be a good workout for your shoulder muscles, shoulder mobility, grip muscles, other arm muscles, and core muscles. While you can use them for this to a certain extent, steel clubs are generally not a great workout tool for your leg muscles.
Are steel clubs worth it?
Steel workout clubs can be worth it if you value shoulder muscle, shoulder mobility, grip, other arm muscle, and core muscle training and have a bit of extra budget for them. To the most health benefits for the least amount of money, you do typically want to get a barbell or dumbbells before steel clubs.
Can you build muscle with steel clubs?
You can definitely build muscle with steel workout clubs as long as you use a weight that is challenging enough for your current strength level.
What weight steel club should I get?
The typical recommendation for people who are first getting into steel workout club training is to get one pair of medium-weight steel clubs and one heavier club to do both one-handed and two-handed exercises.
Women who are new to intermediate when it comes to resistance training should typically get a pair of 10-pound steel clubs and one 15-pound model.
Men of the same skill level should typically get a pair of 15-pound steel workout clubs and one 20-pound model.
If you are more experienced with resistance training you can get one step heavier than these recommendations. Similarly, if you really do not have a lot of strength (yet), you can get steel clubs that are one level lighter.