Looking for the perfect workout gloves to take your gym sessions to the next level? Whether you’re into heavy lifting, general fitness, or specific training like CrossFit and cardio, choosing the right gloves is key. In this guide, we’ll cover everything from the importance of fit, material, grip, and wrist support to help you prevent injuries and improve your performance. Discover the benefits of using gym gloves and the way to find the perfect pair for your fitness needs, so you can train effectively and comfortably.
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Benefits | Types | Features | Maintenance and Care | Conclusion | FAQs
Have you finally started your fitness journey, sticking to your New Year’s resolution of getting better?
Well, if you’re hitting the gym regularly and planning your workouts and meals, then you’re already doing more than most.
However, to boost your fitness journey, you need the right gym gear – and this includes finding the best workout gloves!
When I first started lifting weights, I struggled with getting my grip right on the barbell, especially during deadlifts or bench presses. The rod would always feel slippery!
And the abrasion from weights had started making the skin on my palms rough and coarse, which made me feel horrible.
Over time, I learned more about hand gloves for the gym, and so will you! Whether you’re a seasoned lifter or just starting out, the right pair of gloves protects your hands, improves grip, and elevates your focus, helping you workout better.
Aren’t sure where to start? This guide will help you find the best gym gloves so you won’t have to face the same problems I did.
Why You Need Workout Gloves In The First Place?
There are several benefits of wearing workout gloves, including:
1. Enhanced Grip
Have you ever felt like the bar would slip from your hands and fall on the ground? Or worse, your face Gym gloves give you a secure grip, preventing weights from slipping from your palms. They’re important because:
- They provide a non-slip surface to securely hold onto the weights or bars during exercises like pull-ups or deadlifts
- They strengthen your grip, making every lift safer and enhancing your overall workout experience
Check out the resistance band workout routine you don’t need gym gloves for!
2. Protection
One of the things most active gym-goers struggle with is the calluses on their hands post-workout, particularly in T-bar rows and bicep curls. The grazing against the equipment makes your skin rough and uneven, sometimes even giving you blisters. This is where workout gloves give you protection:
- They act as a protective layer, reducing friction and preventing calluses and blisters
- They shield your hands from wear and tear because of regular workouts
Learn more about performance fabrics and how they protect you during tough training sessions.
3. Sweat Management
It’s not just the equipment that causes slipping, it’s also your sweaty palms. When you’re working out, your entire body is overheated, leading to sweating even in your palms. Because of wet palms, you won’t be able to grab onto a bar for lat-pull downs or squats properly. You need workout gloves because:
- They feature moisture-wicking materials, dispersing the sweat and quickly drying your palms to keep your hands dry and maintain a firm grip
- They allow you to maintain a firm and steady grip on equipment during intense workouts
Explore moisture-wicking gym t-shirts for better sweat management during workouts!
4. Support
During push or pull movements that involve heavy weights, your wrist is at risk of twisting up. This could happen during incline dumbbell curls, reverse curls, cable crossovers, wrist curls, triceps push-downs, and many other exercises. In case your wrist is unstable, you could experience cartilage-related injuries. Gym gloves give you support because:
- They come with wrist supports to stabilize wrists during heavy lifts
- They decrease the risk of injury and enable you to lift heavier weights while being safe
Check out the complete triceps workout routine to build those titan arms.
4 Types Of Hand Gloves For Gym According To Your Workout
Not everyone’s lifting weights at the gym. When choosing your workout gear, consider your routine and exercise requirements. This is why you need to know the different types of gym gloves to choose the right ones according to your workout:
1. Weightlifting Gloves
These gloves are perfect for anyone focused on strength training. They have padding in the palm area, which provides cushioning. They also feature wrist straps for extra support and stability, which is great for heavy lifting, especially during EZ bar exercises, barbell upright rows, and dumbbell back exercises.
Not a fan of the gym? Check out these 5 home exercises instead!
2. Gym Gloves
General gym gloves are multi-functional, which means you can use them for several different kinds of workouts. From machines to free weights, they offer padding and flexibility, helping you do all kinds of workouts such as cable workouts, kettlebell exercises, lunges, push-ups, pull-ups and more.
Check out 5 chest exercises to get sculpted!
3. CrossFit Gloves
CrossFit gloves are ideal for intense workouts. This is because they provide you with durability, excellent grip, and reliable protection, especially during dynamic movements such as rope climbs and kettlebell swings.
Build explosive strength with rope slams!
4. Cardio and Endurance Gloves
If your workout routine includes a lot of cardio or endurance training, look for gloves that give you breathability and comfort. These gloves will help you maintain performance over longer sessions.
Try these 5 Hyrox exercises when training for endurance or functional improvement.
6 Key Features to Consider In Your Gym Gloves
There are several factors that play a role in making your workout gloves the best ones for you. Keep an eye out for:
1. Material
When it comes to choosing the right workout gloves, the material is crucial. For instance, leather gloves are great for you if you need a tough and steady grip. On the other hand, if your workouts remand a lot of wrist movement, then going for neoprene or silicone gloves is better. This is because they provide more flexibility and breathability, improving your overall workout.
Check out what to look for when buying gym shorts.
2. Fit and Comfort
You need to make sure that your gloves fit well. They should neither be too tight and compressive, nor too loose. They should be fit enough to stay in their place on your palm, while giving you enough space to move your fingers easily.
Check out what to look for when buying a sports bra.
3. Grip Enhancement
Always look for padded palms when buying workout gloves for pulling up or lifting weights. This is because the extra padding improves your grip and prevents the equipment from slipping.
Check out why you need compression pants when working out.
4. Breathability
To avoid getting too hot and uncomfortable, go for gloves with mesh panels or tiny holes in the leather that let air flow through. This breathability helps keep your hands cool and comfortable, especially during warm weather or intense physical activity.
Ladies, wear a high-impact sports bra when working out to ensure proper support and breathability!
5. Durability
When selecting gloves, it is important to choose well-made options that can endure regular use, especially during workouts. Durable stitching and high-quality materials extend the lifespan of your gym gloves. They also provide essential support and protection during intense exercise, enhancing your workout experience.
Learn more about extending the lifespan of your gym gear.
6. Wrist Support
When performing exercises such as deadlifts, inner chest exercises, or triceps kickbacks, gloves with built-in wrist wraps give you wrist support. This support helps you maintain proper form and technique, especially when lifting heavy weights. Wrist wraps also prevent wrist hyperextension or strain, common during curling movements such as preacher curls or forearm exercises. These gloves improve your overall workout performance by stabilizing the wrists, reducing the risk of wrist injuries.
Maintenance and Care of Workout Gloves
Taking good care of your gym gloves is important to maintain their health. After each use, air dry them to avoid any unpleasant odors. Also, follow the manufacturer’s instructions and hand wash them in cool water with a mild detergent. This will help your gloves maintain their shape and functionality to support you during your workouts.
Conclusion
When picking out gloves for your workouts, think about the exercises you do at the gym. For instance, if you’re into Calisthenics, go for pull-up gloves that offer a steady grip and can handle some serious wear and tear.
These features are important because they help you maintain a secure grip and protect your hands during pull-up sessions.
The right gym gloves protect your hands, improve your grip, and ensure wrist alignment, allowing you to perform safely. Always consider your workout requirements and the features that’ll facilitate your training routine.
And remember, with the right workout gloves, you’ll feel confident enough to achieve every goal you set your mind to.
FAQs
The best gym gloves for you are the ones that suit your training requirements. If you’re strength training or pulling up, get gloves with built-in support straps and padding for wrist stability and a firm grip. If you need gloves for general workouts, look for gloves that provide flexibility and palm protection. Make sure the gloves you get fit you well, enhance your grip and are durable as well as breathable.
The right gym gloves should be well-fitted but not overly tight. They should give you enough room to move your fingers and thumbs comfortably without the fabric bunching up. In addition, the gloves should be snug enough to not slip when you hold the equipment during lifts. They should also have enough padding to protect your skin without hindering your grip. And most importantly, they should stay in place while giving you wrist stability during your workouts.
Although it depends on your preference, most people consider leather to be the best material for gym gloves. This is because leather provides a firm grip and withstands wear and tear. However, neoprene is also a good option. It absorbs the shock of weightlifting and is flexible enough so you can move your wrist easily. If your workouts are intense, go for gloves with mesh inserts and synthetic fabric blends as they offer moisture-wicking and breathability, quickly drying the sweat from your palms.
