Should you use Weight Lifting Gloves for your training sessions?

I think they are of great benefit and wouldn’t dream of working out without them.

Here are a number of benefits of weight lifting gloves:

1. They absorb pressure on the hands. Sore hands may make you cut a set short. Allow the muscle(s) you want to build to take the strain, not your hands
2. This decreased pressure also benefits the wrists. If you’ve ever had wrist pain during or after a workout, cushion your hands to decrease the discomfort
3. No calluses. If you’ve lifted for even a few months without gloves, you’ve probably formed a few calluses on your hands as a result – ouch!
4. Better grip. Hands can get sweaty during a grueling workout, let your gloves remedy this

Even if you don’t have any of the above problems without gloves, I still suggest you use them as you may not be performing at 100% of your potential without the comfort they provide.

So which weight lifting gloves should I choose?

Look out for the following features:

1. Leather or Neoprene – They provide much better grip than nylon ones and will last longer.
2. Fingerless – Your gloves should cover the bottom half of your fingers but not the tips. This allows the glove to ‘breath’ a little and avoids the build up of sweat.
3. Wrist Wraps - A great pair of gloves will have adjustable wrist wraps built into them. Even if you don’t suffer from sore wrists, you’ll really feel the benefit of these.
4. Tight Fit – They need to be a snug fit to provide the best grip. Tight, but not so tight they cut off circulation

So, is there a specific pair I recommend?

Yes, after a little research, I found these beauties.

I used to use harbinger weight lifting gloves but after searching high and low, I really, REALLY like these Valeo Ocelot gloves. Here’s the features:

1. Slow recovery ergo-foam padding provides a superior custom grip
2. Wrist wraps help stabilize wrists during lifting
3. Super soft durable full-grain leather with 3/4 length fingers
4. Machine wash and dry
5. Buy in your own size

Also, they seem like they would last forever. One guy in the Amazon review says he has used 1 pair for the last 2.5 years!

When I discovered these I was drooling, lol. Eager to purchase my own I searched my local Amazon, not a pair in site. I think I might just order them from the US if I can’t get them locally - the search begins!

To a comfortable, productive training session!

Mark McManus

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