The pros and cons of using gym gloves
Weight lifting has its own set of gear and gadgetry to make the process safer and the effects better. There are belts and bands, specialized weights, cushioned Kettlebells and dumbbells, and numerous machines to make weight lifting personalized to the individual’s needs. When it comes to the attire of a weight lifter, gym gloves are a bit of a controversy. Some weight lifters will sear that you must have gloves in order to safely lift and control your weight. Others will claim that gym gloves pose a risk to the person working out, some lifters will just stick to chalk. Who is right? This article will consider a few arguments from both sides.
Gym gloves can help you control the weight
Apart from your form on a weight bench, there is the ability to hold the weight without it turning in your palms. If you have the right set of gym gloves, the diamond meshing of the weight bar and the fabric of the gym gloves will work together to keep the bar from rotating during a set or from slipping from the palm of the hand. Keep in mind that you will still need to be able to push the weight and that it is not a miracle solution to having a firm grip on your bar, but it helps.
Ensure that when you purchase gym gloves that they have some coarseness to the palm side of the glove.
Gym Gloves can cause the weight to slip
While the proper gym glove can help to secure the weight, there are many gloves which are not intended for use in a gym. You cannot simply pick up a pair of biker gloves, leather gloves, or fingerless gloves and deem them to be gym gloves. You will end up hurting yourself. Only gloves such as Gold Gym wrist wrap gloves are designed for weight lifting. When you use leather gloves and other solutions which do not have the engineering towards weight lifting, then you run the risk of the weight slipping. This is due to the fact that leather gloves are primarily smooth, there is nothing abrasive to keep the bar on your palm. If anything, you add a lubricant factor to your palms and increase the risk of dropping the weight.
You have to see fingers for safe gym gloves
Gym gloves have the tips of the fingers exposed for a reason. Primarily, it is to provide airflow to the rest of the hand and minimize sweating. Even though the hand is in a glove, it is sweats too much it can reduce the functionality of the glove and increase the risk of injury. Gloves which do not have the finger tips open allow for higher levels of sweat, and as most gloves do not have abrasive material on the fingers, it leads to a higher risk of slipping.
Gym Gloves help minimize pain and increase proper form
The right gym glove can help with both wrist and thumb support. When doing hammer curls you need to have the top bridge of the thumb protected. Also, when doing wrist curls it is essential that you have support on the wrists to reduce the risk of the hands snapping back and you breaking or straining your wrists. Of course, this goes hand in hand with knowing how much weight you can handle, but if you have gym gloves which minimize the negative force on the wrists and thumbs, you are more apt to keep the proper form and will be less likely to become injured from not doing the exercise right.
Are Gym Gloves safe?
Yes, but only if they are used properly. There are a few factors which go into the gloves that a person wears. A person must be able to flex the fingers easily, the gloves must grip the weight, and their must be support on the wrists and thumbs for the gloves to be effective. Additionally, the thickness of the gloves will play into the effectiveness against pain and strain. Many weight lifters have multiple sets of gloves for various activities in the gym. Bar presses need thicker gloves, thinner gloves can be used for general purpose, and then you can have nylon or non-padded gloves to go with your apparel (not really any purpose apart from looking good).
Before you commit to using gym gloves in your routine, check the comfort of the gloves on a lighter weight. Gradually build the weight and ensure that there is no slippage, pain, or weaknesses in the support before going on to your regular workout.
