A common question I get as a trainer is “Should I use gloves when I’m weightlifting?”
Now I’ll be the first to tell you a purist would say absolutely no and they’ll likely give you a long list of reasons why many of which are valid.
And back in the day I too was of that mindset. Gloves were for those that didn’t want to get their hands dirty (I’m trying to be kind here, lol)
But as I’ve gotten older and perhaps a bit wiser my thought process on it has changed.
If you’re a regular reader of our articles you know that strength training has numerous health benefits, including increased muscle endurance, metabolism and body balance.
Weightlifting includes various exercises including the “Big 5: The Bench press, Deadlift, Squats, Shoulder Press, and Bent Over Row.
It can also include things like bicep curls, upright rows and lunges just to name a few.
One of the things people struggle with in all of that especially as they get older and things like arthritis start kicking in is being able to hold onto the weights or bar.
Which is why now I say if you want to use gloves, then by all means do so!
If a person can enhance the effectiveness of weight training by wearing appropriate gym apparel and lifting gloves why wouldn’t you use them?
As I said though trainers are divided into two groups according to their opinion on the benefits of wearing gloves during weightlifting.
And it many cases it comes down to age and experience. The majority of the experienced trainers and weightlifters favor wearing gloves during exercise.
Now you may be wondering why else one should invest in weightlifting gloves…
Firm Grip
I’ve already mentioned this and I’m reiterating it because this is the biggest benefit to wearing gloves.
Sweaty hands can be extremely dangerous during certain lifts like deadlifts.
Simply put gloves give you a firmer grip over the weight bar and being able to hold onto the bar makes things safer.
This means you’ll be able to do more weight AND be less likely to drop the weights which increases safety.
The fabric of gloves prevents excessive sweat on the palm of the hands, strengthening the hand's grip.
Prevents Open Callus Wounds
A purist would say if you don’t have calluses you aren’t really working out. And I still have mine going back decades.
Heck I’ll prolly still have them long after I’ve been buried they are so deep.
Callus wounds are bumps and rough patches on the skin. The leading cause of these wounds is friction and prolonged localized pressure, for example on the hands.
Repeated sets of weightlifting can result in open callus wounds that can be uncomfortable and painful. This can be prevented by wearing gloves while exercising.
Wrist Support/Comfort
Training gloves have many different designs to enhance support for hands and wrist.
Some brands like the one’s I recommend (EVO2) have added a Velcro strap to their gloves that provide additional support to the wrists. Something I’ve found very beneficial as I’ve gotten older.
The belt wraps around the wrist, making the weightlifting more secure and stable.
These specially designed gloves reduce the risk of injuries in the gym and rehabilitate ongoing wrist issues of many weightlifters.
Sweat-free Hands
Wearing gloves makes the hands sweat-free so that you can train comfortably. During strenuous weightlifting, glands secrete sweat on the hands. This may cause severe injuries due to heavyweights slipping from the hands.
Slippery hands may also result in losing balance. Such bad experiences deter individuals, especially beginners, from continuing further training.
Bottom Line
Strength training is a vigorous activity that requires a lot of effort and perseverance from an individual.
Always try to wear protective gym gear, including comfortable clothing, gloves and shoes during weightlifting.
These will save you from mishaps in the gym and boost your confidence after shedding unwanted body fat.
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