Wear gloves when lifting weights?

yayamom3
yayamom3 Posts: 939 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
When I started lifting in January, I asked my 16-year-old son if I should buy a pair of gloves. He told me gloves were stupid. (He takes a daily weights class at school and no one there wears them.) I took his advice. At first, I was kind of proud of the calluses. They are a great reminder of my hard work and progress so far. Now, they're really starting to hurt. So my question is, "Do you or don't you wear gloves when lifting, and why or why not?"

Replies

  • Rage_Phish
    Rage_Phish Posts: 1,507 Member
    i do not
    wife probably wishes i did
  • giantrobot_powerlifting
    giantrobot_powerlifting Posts: 2,598 Member
    edited April 2016
    I don't because they slacken grip and I loose tightness and even if you have gloves on, callouses will still develop. Better to manage the thickness of your callouses. An emory board just out the shower can do wonders for those things. If they get to thick, Xacto knife to trim them down and then the emory board.
  • ew_david
    ew_david Posts: 3,473 Member
    edited April 2016
    I do not. I found them to be more interfering than helpful. I use chalk, but only for deadlifts.
  • singingflutelady
    singingflutelady Posts: 8,736 Member
    I don't wear gloves
  • mamasmaltz3
    mamasmaltz3 Posts: 1,111 Member
    No I don't. I don't want them slipping or interfering with my grip. Also, I compete and they are not legal. Sounds like you need to groom your callouses. Just get a nail file or pumice stone and file them down a bit. Your grip may be causing some of the issue as well. Chris Duffin has a video that he talks about callouses and grip on YouTube.
  • StealthHealth
    StealthHealth Posts: 2,417 Member
    Nope. Liquid chalk (for dead lifts only).
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    No gloves...learn to grip the bar properly.
  • ShodanPrime
    ShodanPrime Posts: 226 Member
    No gloves. Proper grip is part of proper lifting.
  • yayamom3
    yayamom3 Posts: 939 Member
    Wow, so glad I asked this question! Dead lifts are what are causing the pain. So obviously I'm not using the proper grip. Will spend some time on YouTube this evening. Thanks everyone!
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    edited April 2016
    deadlift-grip.jpg

    images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRKcaXUi5zIHLdwpy1os_C-3HBVzCn_XTsqGmtz1IDvYNq3mguy

    most people have issues because they're trying to "palm" the bar...
  • astrampe
    astrampe Posts: 2,169 Member
    edited April 2016
    I do, I hate having rough hands - I can lift like a construction worker - doesn't mean I have to have hands like a construction worker...
  • StealthHealth
    StealthHealth Posts: 2,417 Member
    Investigate different grip types and experiment a little - also, consider a mixed grip for dead lifts. Many people find these help.

    cs192rt8rdx8.jpg
  • mamasmaltz3
    mamasmaltz3 Posts: 1,111 Member
    I was wrong, it wasn't a Duffin video. It's Mark Rippetoe.

    http://youtu.be/_ZBmiQm4MF4
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    astrampe wrote: »
    I do, I hate having rough hands - I can lift like a construction worker - doesn't mean I have to have hands like a construction worker...

    You shouldn't really have issues if you're gripping the bar properly.
  • mamasmaltz3
    mamasmaltz3 Posts: 1,111 Member
    e2nwh3svf7br.jpeg


    I been training for powerlifting for two years and this is the extent of my calluses. I don't have to file them either.
  • McCloud33
    McCloud33 Posts: 959 Member
    Sounds like I'll be the lone voice for gloves LOL I started out not wearing them for probably the first 6mo to year of lifting. I got callouses, and like you was pretty proud of them at first. I don't know if it was just fat fingers, small hands, or what but I tried holding the bar as shown in earlier replies and it started tearing my fingers to pieces instead of down on the palm down by the base of the finger. I only use the gloves for Deadlifts as that's the only lift with enough weight to really tear up my hands. Since switching over to wearing gloves, I still have callouses, but they don't build to the point where they tear off like they used to, and I don't get them on my fingers either really.

  • chunky_pinup
    chunky_pinup Posts: 758 Member
    I have lupus and Behcets disease, and if I want to lift, I have to wear gloves. When I go without, my skin flares terribly. I can still have some semi-bad skin flares even with the gloves, but it does help significantly. As far as grip? Not so much…it’s kind of bothersome, but better than being sidelined for weeks because the skin is falling off my hands. If you have skin sensitivity issues, gloves help a lot. If there’s no issue besides callouses (which you do still get with gloves), then you might want to look more into how you’re gripping the bar, as opposed to what to cover your hands with.
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    I wear gloves - gives me better grip, the ladies in my life prefer not to be scratched to pieces and if you need calluses for people to know you lift you are doing it wrong.
  • KDar1988
    KDar1988 Posts: 648 Member
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    deadlift-grip.jpg

    images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRKcaXUi5zIHLdwpy1os_C-3HBVzCn_XTsqGmtz1IDvYNq3mguy

    most people have issues because they're trying to "palm" the bar...

    Dumb question but that must also apply to dumbbells as well?
  • astrampe
    astrampe Posts: 2,169 Member
    I also play a lot with kettlebells, mine are all cast iron....Snatching 36lbs of rough cast iron definitely requires gloves - nothing to do with grip there....
  • nordlead2005
    nordlead2005 Posts: 1,303 Member
    I've been lifting for over 1 year and I have small hands and I have no problems with callouses. I don't think anyone would think I lift weights based on my hands. Gripping the bar right and chalk will go a long way in reducing wear and tear on your hands.
  • quiksylver296
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,439 Member
    I tried them, and threw them out. I didn't like the negative effect on my grip, especially during deadlift. I just file my calluses with a pumice stone once in awhile after my shower. I haven't had any issues.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    astrampe wrote: »
    I also play a lot with kettlebells, mine are all cast iron....Snatching 36lbs of rough cast iron definitely requires gloves - nothing to do with grip there....

    I haven't had a need for them doing the same said movement.

  • MostlyWater
    MostlyWater Posts: 4,294 Member
    I used to when I first started, and I had some cool ones. Then I started to Spin 3 times a week and my wrists got really weak so I needed to wear wrist supports, and it got to be too much stuff to wear so I don't wear anything any longer !!!!
  • Keladelphia
    Keladelphia Posts: 820 Member
    I don't wear gloves for weightlifting. I don't find that my hands get very callused from weightlifting but they do from high volume gymnastics movements (pull-ups, muscle ups etc.). Daily hand maintenance is my savior. I use a ped egg to shave them flat and I make sure to keep them moisturized; between that combo I rarely have issues anymore.
  • quiksylver296
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,439 Member
    JoRocka wrote: »
    astrampe wrote: »
    I also play a lot with kettlebells, mine are all cast iron....Snatching 36lbs of rough cast iron definitely requires gloves - nothing to do with grip there....

    I haven't had a need for them doing the same said movement.

    Me, either.
  • Yivs_87
    Yivs_87 Posts: 246 Member
    I did. And I will once I return to weight lifting.

    First couple of weeks I didn't and as my skin is quite sensitive I ended up with horrible painful calluses.
    I did go through 2-3 pairs of gloves until I found the "right one" - fit properly, was comfortable, gave me good feel of the bar, and was able to protect my palms.
  • tryasimighty
    tryasimighty Posts: 131 Member
    I do, I get callouses doing housework though and blister very easily! I have tried several pairs of gloves and have a favourite so if you do wear them bear that in mind, they can make a huge difference in your ability and comfort if they are not right. They also have slightly padded palms which for me makes push ups etc more comfortable. I am about the only one in my gym that does though!
  • rontafoya
    rontafoya Posts: 365 Member
    No. What's better are wrist wraps for support, especially if you are using heavy weights and especially heavy dumbbells.
  • jessef593
    jessef593 Posts: 2,272 Member
    I don't, mainly because I'm proud of my calluses. It's your body adapting to the hard work you're putting in. You can use gloves if you'd like too, but they are known for putting uneven pressure across your hands which could mess with stability. Same as using a bar pad when squatting.

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