Weight lifting glove reviews

Lofteren

chalk

Lofteren

I was using some Under Armour unpadded gloves for a while, more to avoid germs. I stopped wearing the gloves because I sweat a lot and the gloves weren't drying out between workouts. I use straps for any heavy pulling exercise, otherwise my grip fails before I finish working the intended body part. I prefer leather straps. I recently purchased some cloth straps with neoprene wrist cushions and those are working well.

Just develop your grip. Having strong hands is convenient anyway.

Platform_Heels

I used to use gloves but I could never find a pair that wouldn't rip after the first washing. So for the past few months I don't use them. Yes, there are some exercises that I do where I wish I had them because they really help stop the slip when lifting heavy. With that said I did just buy a pair of Versa Gripps Pro weight lifting strap hooks for when I want to go up in weight but know it's going to be too much without straps.

Ely82010

I use Bionic gloves for ladies; I have very small hands so men's gloves are too loose for me. I don't like calluses and the gloves actually improved my grip. I have OA in the dumb/wrist joint so the palm of my hands is not flat and the padding in the gloves helps a lot, but I still have to use wrist straps to keep the wrist firm and protected.

RatherBeFishing

Found this on the web:
Gloves Kill Grip Strength – thicker bars are harder to grip. Gloves add inches to the bar which will kill your grip strength on pulling exercises like Deadlifts, Rows or Pullups. And if you can’t hold it, you can’t lift it.

They don't weaken your grip they make it harder to grip the bar. Making it harder doesn't mean it weakens your hands.

whitebalance

If you're getting callouses, you're doing it wrong.

^^^^ this

Mark Rippetoe has a video on you tube that shows how to grip the bar to prevent callous development. I'd recommend it to anyone who lifts.

I do what he says, with the result that I get callouses on my fingers instead of my palms. I'm still using an overhand grip and I haven't managed to eliminate bar movement totally. But the kicker is that weight lifting gloves wouldn't prevent those callouses anyway! Chalk all the way for me.

Galatea_Stone

I wore gloves for a long time, but my hands would swell, and they would become uncomfortably tight. If I got a pair that was looser, it destroyed my grip. It didn't seem to matter which brand, either.

I've been lifting for a while now without gloves. I massage my hands after a workout, right across the fold, and I don't seem to be developing a lot in the way of callouses. I am really red across my hands for a few hours after lifting, but massage seems to work for me. That and gripping the bar so nothing feels pinched. If I feel a pinch, I reset.

OP, I have nothing against gloves and there are plenty of people in my gym who use them. If they fit you well and you don't lose circulation or grip ability/strength, then go for it. Every hand is different, and people are going to like different brands based on how their hands are shaped. The only truthful advice I could give is you're going to have to go through a few pair to figure out which ones you like.

shmerek

Ya I don't really get the gloves make your grip weaker thing, I can see how using a wrap would obviously not allow your grip to strengthen but not gloves. Can someone explain the logic behind the theory of how gloves weaken your grip i.e. stop your grip from getting stronger?

I wear gloves for all my lifts except the heaviest of deadlifts and rope climbing. On the bodybuilding forum those against gloves seem to be of the troglodyte variety giving reasons like "they aren't manly" etc

SezxyStef

I personally haven't tried gloves...

trying to stay away from them but just cause I hate wearing anything on my hands. Even in a cold January in Canada I hate wearing gloves...hands feel icky.

I use chalk now...recent development. I like it (but I am at my home so I don't care about the mess)

I have callouses on my hands and work in a business environment but everyone knows I lift so I guess they expect it.

usmcmp

I use chalk now...recent development. I like it (but I am at my home so I don't care about the mess)

Try liquid chalk. Almost no mess (except it grinding off your hands onto the bar).

amybg1

I have a pair that I've never used, they are a pair of Tempo Fitness gloves - I like to have them on hand just in case for some reason there's a power outage at the gym which so far has never happened but my end of the city has weird power outages occasionally, especially in the winter and sometimes your skin sticking to cold metal vs wearing gloves...I'd go for the gloves. I LOVE my calluses though, mine never get big either and like a previous poster said, I like to lift without them because of some RL situations - I'm not opposed to them I just think you might want to try with and without, use chalk if your palms get particularly sweaty, etc.

Other than a false sense of security, the other reason why I don't wear them is my body temp isn't "normal" and I overheat easily/body heat production shoots up in the cooler months dramatically and stabilizes in the warmer months and I'm in the middle of those 2 stages right now. So no gloves=I can spread my...hotness

random_user75

If you're getting callouses, you're doing it wrong.

^^^^ this

Mark Rippetoe has a video on you tube that shows how to grip the bar to prevent callous development. I'd recommend it to anyone who lifts.

I'll have to dig this up. I recently started getting callouses as I increased weight but didn't find it surprising. I figured, if I have a callous just from wearing a wedding ring or using a chef's knife (I cook for fun, not for work), why not weights? That said, I can easily believe there's something off with my grip, what with my fabulous newbieness.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTqNSgCmM2s


There's also one on managing callouses, you can youtube that yourself.

Thanks. I'll ponder grip during tomorrow's session.

Edited because I wasn't paying attention to where the cursor was.

Lofteren

Ya I don't really get the gloves make your grip weaker thing, I can see how using a wrap would obviously not allow your grip to strengthen but not gloves. Can someone explain the logic behind the theory of how gloves weaken your grip i.e. stop your grip from getting stronger?

I wear gloves for all my lifts except the heaviest of deadlifts and rope climbing. On the bodybuilding forum those against gloves seem to be of the troglodyte variety giving reasons like "they aren't manly" etc

Gloves don't make your hands weaker but they limit the amount you can grip while you are wearing them. They also aren't allowed in any type of lifting competition (powerlifting, olympic lifting, strongman, not sure about crossfit). So, if your goal is to develop a large deadlift, clean, snatch, etc.... it is better to use chalk than gloves. If you're just someone who likes to "work out" and aren't training for anything I don't see a problem with wearing them. Although when guys wear them I usually think they should just grow a pair. I guess I'm a troglodyte for not worrying about my pretty hands.

nicki_lynne

My issue is with slipping. My hands / fingers slide right off the bars. Especially with hanging leg raises - I can not complete my sets before slipping. I must have oily skin. I'm not to concerned with calluses except that they make rowing and some higher rep weighted exercises more difficult to complete with higher weight / intensity. I would try chalk but it is not allowed at the gym.

LeanButNotMean44

I have never worked out at a gym that allows chalk, so I use gloves (men's Harbinger - I have large hands for a woman).

rxstronger

No, I don't use these them. Because I always preferred the best gloves. And my suggestion is first seen that review(glove review) then chooses the best one.

rxstronger

No, I don't use these them. Because I always preferred the best gloves. And my suggestion is first seen that review(glove review) then chooses the best one.

EvgeniZyntx

Lol at the RX spam.

Gloves can both reduce grip (receptor sensitivity, additonal slip surface, fit, diameter...) or improve grip (reduced pain, etc...). My hands are relatively soft right now, but I get a lot of abrasion, cuts and other damage from climbing sometimes and gloves may help.
I prefer to be gloveless for basic lifts but do try to use gloves in some upper body outside workouts or tough mudder training.
I use the mechanix gloves. I'd buy them again.

flabassmcgee

I don't see why anyone would be outright against gloves. I use a cheapo pair I got at Five Below. I've found it helps me with gripping rather than hindering.

Soundwave79

Great thread. I'm looking for new gloves that have ample padding in the palms. Ever since I started Body Beast 4 weeks ago my palms have been screaming in pain from bearing the weight of the dumbbells. I'm currently looking at these:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00Q8NK6MU/ref=gno_cart_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATH51J1IZT4F9

or these:

http://www.amazon.com/Weightlifting-Gloves-Crossfit-Workout-Training/dp/B00LQU0BWK/ref=lh_ni_t?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A1YOF8JIB3M9EK

Anyone have either of those and care to share a review? I'm leaning more towards the Combat Grip model.