
Wood, Metal or Hybrid Parallettes: Which Are Best for Calisthenics in 2025?
, by Wilddynamics Team, 8 min reading time
, by Wilddynamics Team, 8 min reading time
Discover the differences between wooden, metal, and hybrid parallettes. From grip comfort and portability to stability and load capacity, find out which type is best for your calisthenics training in 2025.
If you’ve been diving into the world of calisthenics, there’s one piece of equipment you’ve probably considered: parallettes. These simple bars unlock a wide range of exercises, from push-ups and L-sit to handstands and planche progressions. But here’s the million-dollar question: should you go for wooden parallettes, heavy-duty metal ones, or a new-school hybrid design?
In this blog, we’ll break down the differences, compare features like stability, grip comfort, portability, and price, and help you decide which parallettes are perfect for your training goals in 2025. Spoiler alert: there’s a clear winner, but it depends on your needs.
Before diving into the comparison, let’s quickly touch on why parallettes are a must-have tool for athletes of all levels:
Simply put, parallettes are like the Swiss Army knife of calisthenics gear. If you’re starting your training setup from scratch, you may also love our Calisthenics Starter Pack, which includes jumprope, parallettes, and wrist wraps for a complete training toolkit.
Weight: ~0.9 kg
Load capacity: ~150 kg
Best for: Beginners, travel, light bodyweight training
Wooden parallettes are a solid entry-level option for casual or travel workouts. But if you’re serious about skills like planche or weighted calisthenics, you’ll hit their limits quickly.
Weight: 6+ kg
Load capacity: 300 kg
Best for: Gyms, heavy athletes, maximal stability
Metal parallettes are beasts of stability, but they sacrifice portability and comfort. Best if you train in a fixed home gym and don’t mind their bulk.
Weight: ~1.3 kg
Load capacity: 250 kg
Best for: All-round athletes, home & park training, travel-friendly progressions
Hybrid parallettes tick almost every box: stability, grip comfort, portability, and load capacity. They’re the most versatile choice for beginners and advanced athletes alike.
No matter which type you choose, parallettes open the door to an incredible range of movements. Here are just a few:
👉 Pro tip: hybrids are especially useful for handstands (stable + comfortable grip) and planche training (stable but portable enough to use outdoors). If you love training while traveling, check out our Best Travel Equipment for Calisthenics blog to see more portable tools that pair perfectly with parallettes.
Yes, but they’re less stable. If you’re practicing balance-heavy moves, hybrids or metal are safer.
Technically yes, but carrying 6+ kg in your luggage isn’t fun. Hybrids are the sweet spot for portability.
Absolutely. By providing a neutral grip, especially on wooden handles, parallettes keep your wrists in a more natural position and reduce strain compared to floor exercises.
Parallettes are one of the smartest investments you can make for calisthenics. Wooden models are light and cheap but limited. Metal versions are ultra-stable but bulky and uncomfortable. Hybrid parallettes combine the best of both worlds: wooden comfort with metal stability, in a lightweight, portable design.
If you want gear that grows with you, whether you’re working on your first push-ups, chasing a handstand, or adding weights to your push ups, hybrid parallettes are the clear winner in 2025.
Check out the Wild Dynamics Hybrid Parallettes, designed in Europe, athlete-tested, and built to unleash your inner wild.
👉 Explore our full Calisthenics Collection for more equipment to level up your training.