Gloves for lifting..your thoughts

IWILLBelieveAchieveInspire
IWILLBelieveAchieveInspire Posts: 218 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
In the last 7weeks I have really made lifting weights the focus of my workouts at the gym and I am finding my hands are starting to show it. I'm forming calluses on my hands. :( Thinking of getting a pair of gloves to protect my hands better because by the end of my workouts and during, for that matter, those darn dumbbells are hurting my hands. What are your thoughts on using them and can anyone recommend a brand or style they like?
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Replies

  • MissB46
    MissB46 Posts: 143 Member
    I have been using gloves for years but I am actually trying to move away from them as I find they hinder me more than help as they bunch up and I have had various makes and I find them all the same.

    I do however really suffer with sweaty hands (sweaty everywhere....) so I do need some grip aid.

    I have tried some liquid chalk and now just waiting for payday so I can order a bottle and I found the control I had with the chalk was amazing (this was a kettlebell workout)

    I am not really that bothered about calluses tbh
  • RachelRuns9
    RachelRuns9 Posts: 585 Member
    I used them for the first year that I lifted. It was just too painful for me! Also, my old gym had crappy equipment which tore up my palms. Now that I'm used to lifting and also have a new gym with nice stuff, I don't need them.

    When I was using gloves, I preferred this brand. Really comfy.
    femmefitalefitness.com
  • ironanimal
    ironanimal Posts: 5,922 Member
    Make sure they match your purse.

    All they do is interfere with grip, which is something that you need to develop over time if you want to continue getting stronger. Sure your palms are going to hurt in the beginning, but over time you'll adapt. If you do become dependant on gloves, eventually you'll be stuck because you won't be able to hold on to the weight.
  • MagicalLeopleurodon
    MagicalLeopleurodon Posts: 623 Member
    I wore gloves for years and finally noticed they hindered certain lifts. Started chalking and immediately saw a difference!
  • DeltaZero
    DeltaZero Posts: 1,197 Member
    Chalk.
    Liquid Chalk.

    Or doing things to increase grip strength.

    Or, chalk.
  • jimmmer
    jimmmer Posts: 3,515 Member
    And of course, the correct answer is: Chalk!
  • Be4stm0de
    Be4stm0de Posts: 103
    I recommend gloves, if you want to keep from getting callouses and such on your hands. At some point your hands will get used to it if you decide not to use them, however, you will still get callouses. I still use gloves, especially when I'm going heavy... which is Most of the time :)
  • Inkratlet
    Inkratlet Posts: 613 Member
    LOL I'm proud of my callouses! :)

    I do have some Nike lifting gloves but they aren't helpful in preventing sore hands and they don't improve my grip particularly. Haven't worn them in ages.
  • NessaWilde
    NessaWilde Posts: 53 Member
    I'm also considering getting gloves. If I have to stop a workout I want it to be because I'm tired, not because my hands are on fire.
  • tigersword
    tigersword Posts: 8,059 Member
    No gloves. They hurt grip strength. Use chalk, and make sure your grip is correct. Most of the time people hurt their hands because they aren't gripping the bar properly.
  • IWILLBelieveAchieveInspire
    IWILLBelieveAchieveInspire Posts: 218 Member
    Make sure they match your purse.

    Seriously! Not necessary to be sarcastic..it was an honest question and I was looking for 'helpful' advise.


    I guess I will think twice about using the gloves since the others seem to believe they may hinder my grip. I just find some days it hurts to grip the weights because they are so rough. I haven't formed blisters or any open wounds, it's just sore. Thanks to those of you who actually offered some constructive advise for me. ;)
  • ironanimal
    ironanimal Posts: 5,922 Member
    Make sure they match your purse.

    Seriously! Not necessary to be sarcastic..it was an honest question and I was looking for 'helpful' advise.


    I guess I will think twice about using the gloves since the others seem to believe they may hinder my grip. I just find some days it hurts to grip the weights because they are so rough. I haven't formed blisters or any open wounds, it's just sore. Thanks to those of you who actually offered some constructive advise for me. ;)
    Yes, because that was the entirety of my post.

    A little sarcasm never hurt anyone, lighten up.
  • IWILLBelieveAchieveInspire
    IWILLBelieveAchieveInspire Posts: 218 Member
    No gloves. They hurt grip strength. Use chalk, and make sure your grip is correct. Most of the time people hurt their hands because they aren't gripping the bar properly.

    So the thought on this is that I may be holding the dumbbells or bars too tight thus the pain/callusses? Just trying to understand. ;) Also is the purpose of the chalk just to keep my hands dry so i don't have to grip so tightly?
  • GGDaddy
    GGDaddy Posts: 289 Member
    I started lifting 30 years ago. Back then everyone wore gloves, and they seemed to get swole just fine.

    Nowadays nobody wears gloves, and everyone seems to get swole just fine.

    While it's largely a matter of preference, I've done it both ways. Back then I used to love my glove, I felt like it helped me lift heavier.

    Nowadays I love not wearing gloves. I feel like my grip development used to suffer because the gloves were a crutch, and I needed them to get heavy. Nowadays, my hands have become accustomed to no-gloves. Grips are a *lot* easier without the glove getting in the way, and your hands get stronger because they have to.

    Net-net, I think no-gloves is better.
  • snoodled
    snoodled Posts: 57
    I lift weights regularly and never go without my gloves. I have a pair of Harbinger gloves. They are very comfortable. No complaints.
  • IWILLBelieveAchieveInspire
    IWILLBelieveAchieveInspire Posts: 218 Member
    Make sure they match your purse.

    Seriously! Not necessary to be sarcastic..it was an honest question and I was looking for 'helpful' advise.


    I guess I will think twice about using the gloves since the others seem to believe they may hinder my grip. I just find some days it hurts to grip the weights because they are so rough. I haven't formed blisters or any open wounds, it's just sore. Thanks to those of you who actually offered some constructive advise for me. ;)
    Yes, because that was the entirety of my post.

    A little sarcasm never hurt anyone, lighten up.

    No need for me to lighten up. I'm actually very easy going. I'm just tired of peoples sarcastic responses to people's questions. I mean we come here for help or advise and not to be jabbed at. I was looking for advice not sarcasm today.
  • eating4me
    eating4me Posts: 239 Member
    I have to wear gloves. I have an autoimmune disease that causes a lot of pain throughout my body. If I didn't wear gloves, I couldn't lift. So to the people who are making fun of your question: please try not to judge those who choose to wear gloves. You may not know their whole story. I think it's a personal choice, and really depends what your actual goals are. My gloves enable me to push my body much further than if I didn't have them on, so I love them.
  • jimmmer
    jimmmer Posts: 3,515 Member
    No gloves. They hurt grip strength. Use chalk, and make sure your grip is correct. Most of the time people hurt their hands because they aren't gripping the bar properly.

    So the thought on this is that I may be holding the dumbbells or bars too tight thus the pain/callusses? Just trying to understand. ;) Also is the purpose of the chalk just to keep my hands dry so i don't have to grip so tightly?

    You're most likely gripping the bar in such a way that you're compressing skin. Of course it depends on the lift, but you should review the way you grip the bar on a lift-by-lift basis and make sure you are using best practice. It's not the tightness of the grip, it's the path the bar lies across your hand.
  • IWILLBelieveAchieveInspire
    IWILLBelieveAchieveInspire Posts: 218 Member
    No gloves. They hurt grip strength. Use chalk, and make sure your grip is correct. Most of the time people hurt their hands because they aren't gripping the bar properly.

    So the thought on this is that I may be holding the dumbbells or bars too tight thus the pain/callusses? Just trying to understand. ;) Also is the purpose of the chalk just to keep my hands dry so i don't have to grip so tightly?

    You're most likely gripping the bar in such a way that you're compressing skin. Of course it depends on the lift, but you should review the way you grip the bar on a lift-by-lift basis and make sure you are using best practice. It's not the tightness of the grip, it's the path the bar lies across your hand.

    Ahhh ok...thanks so much for the helpful information. I'm learning something new each day. ;)
  • SunofaBeach14
    SunofaBeach14 Posts: 4,899 Member
    If you use gloves then buy very tight ones. My experience is that gloves that fit properly will help your grip and will help your hands. I still use them occasionally for dead lifts but chalk, if your gym allows it, is the better choice.

    As for the other comments, trash talk is just trash talk, get accustomed to it if you're going to start lifting. For the most part, it's in good fun.

    Good luck!
  • rachnh
    rachnh Posts: 12 Member
    If you decide to go with gloves, make sure you check them out good, I ended up getting a pair of Harbinger because hubby uses that kind and I have used his a few times, but on the women's there is a sew line at the thumb crease that I didn't realize was there and it hurts my palm more than not using the gloves half the time.
  • FindingAmy77
    FindingAmy77 Posts: 1,268 Member
    not sure what kind to recommend but I totally need them. I keep getting some blisters from lifting
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    I hate calluses and like my hands soft, so I use them.
  • harlanJEN
    harlanJEN Posts: 1,089 Member
    I use them - I totally don't want calluses / rough hands. They can interfere with grip strength, but I'm ok with that. When I deadlift, I do use chalk.

    So! Depends on your goals. If by wearing them you will continue to lift and progress - then wear them!!!
  • husseycd
    husseycd Posts: 814 Member
    As an aerialist I have massive callouses, especially when I'm really training on the lyra. Silks don't give the same callouses, but having them does help with grip. I try to make sure they're smooth for my husband's sake, but otherwise wear them proudly. :bigsmile:
  • IPAkiller
    IPAkiller Posts: 711 Member
    Make sure they match your purse.

    All they do is interfere with grip, which is something that you need to develop over time if you want to continue getting stronger. Sure your palms are going to hurt in the beginning, but over time you'll adapt. If you do become dependant on gloves, eventually you'll be stuck because you won't be able to hold on to the weight.
    ^^^THIS
  • BlueBombers
    BlueBombers Posts: 4,064 Member
    I always wear gloves when I lift. I actually wear a men's pair, not quite sure on the brand at the moment. I also own a pair of women's gloves but I find they are too thin and have no grip and I much prefer my men's pair....have had them for years and love them.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
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  • shazbox1
    shazbox1 Posts: 175 Member
    I use my cycling gloves. They have never given me a problem.
  • fbmandy55
    fbmandy55 Posts: 5,263 Member
    I got some at target for $9. I always use them because my hands get dry and callously if I don't.

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