Sport tuning your power rings
We have found that with increased exposure to ring dips and muscle-ups (getting on top of the rings), people experience abrasions on the upper part of the arm.
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The CrossFit community is full of innovative contributors. In fact, in one way or another we are all contributors. Tyler Hass found a void in the modern fitness toolset and brought gymnastics rings to a mass market (http://www.ringtraining.com/).
It is our opinion that one should not need to “set” the rings before attempting action on them, as is often necessary with the power rings. By setting the rings, we mean turning the buckles on the straps to face inward before attempting to get on top, so that they end up on the outside in the dip phase in the muscle-up rather than pinched between the straps and the upper arms, where they tend to cause nasty abrasions.
Custom webbing remedy for the buckle issue:
1) Purchase climbing webbing in the desired length for hanging the rings.
2) Purchase four D-rings.
3) Remove the red webbing from the power rings by cutting the sewn loops.
4) Cut a single line of webbing into two even lengths and burn the cut ends to keep them from fraying.
5) Run one end of the webbing through both D-rings and tie with a double figure-eight loop around the D-rings.
6) Run the finished webbing and D-ring through the rings and over whatever you are affixing them to (pull-up bar, beam, etc.), so that the webbing is one large circle.
7) Thread the free end of the webbing through both D-rings and back through one D-ring.
8) Tighten, test, and go.
Use caution and brains with this setup. While it is secure, be smart and limit your exposure to compromising positions (inversions and the like).
Remove the red webbing from the power rings by cutting the sewn loops.
Cut a single line of webbing into two even lengths and burn the cut ends to keep them from fraying.
A) Run one end of the webbing through both D-rings and tie with a double figure-eight loop around the D-rings.
B) Run the finished webbing and D-ring through the rings and over whatever you are affixing them to (pull-up bar, beam, etc.), so that the webbing is one large circle.
You can use this setup with any rings—if they have a hoop, you are good to go. We have phased out the power rings from our gym and replaced them with more favorable wood or—even better—Lexan ones. Lexan rings can be purchased through American Athletic, Incorporated (AAI) for about seventy dollars. Lexan rings clean up well, have a good feel, and are super lightweight and less bulky than steel hoops. Add your custom webbing to the Lexan ring setup and you are good to go.