Updated: 05/07/2021 15:16:38
Expert: Diana Dubrovskaya
*Review of the best according to the editors of expertology.ru. About the selection criteria. This material is subjective in nature, does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before purchasing, consultation with a specialist is required.
For decades, the fashion for a healthy lifestyle has been captivating residents of big cities and small towns. People of all ages actively include at least one workout per week in their schedule. Yoga, Pilates, powerlifting, tai bo, pole dancing, aerobics, Nordic walking - all this is just a small part of modern fitness trends.
Each type of load has its own differences and requires high-quality sports suit, shoes and other equipment. It is important to buy not only beautiful accessories, but also tools that make the practice process easier. The right accessories reduce the risk of injury, so choosing them needs to be taken seriously.
Most joints and ligaments that form them need protection. The wrist joint and hand are involved in virtually all types of fitness, so it is important to protect them. Previously, athletes used elastic bandages, but it was inconvenient. The bandage could unwind at the most inopportune moment; it could be overtightened or loosely wound, which reduced the effectiveness of training.
Manufacturers of sports equipment and equipment easily solved this problem and began producing gloves for sports. Today there is a huge assortment on the market and choosing a model and brand on your own is quite difficult.
How to choose the best sports gloves?
Getting good grip
Leather or suede is the best in terms of grip. If grip is the most important aspect in your eyes, look for gloves with leather palms.
The glove should be leather on the inside and on the side that touches your hand. The skin should touch the inside of your hand because this secures the glove in place. The glove should have a good grip, not only on the side that touches the bar, but also on the side where the glove touches your hand.
Tip: A glove with a full leather palm works well for gripping barbells and also for handling kettlebells.
The thinner and softer the leather, the more grippy it is, so keep that in mind.
However, there is a catch
Thin gloves are good for gripping, but they wear out faster. This is the sacrifice you will make to get a good grab opportunity.
Warning: Do not purchase gloves with felt or similar material inside.
They may slip off your hand. The grip goes both ways, it should grip inside and outside, which is why I love leather.
Safety adjustable end
Velcro or some kind of wrist wrap to secure the glove to your hand is a must. The last thing you want is a glove that slides and opens on your wrist while you're lifting.
Tip: Look for gloves where the closure strap is below the wrist. Gloves where the strap is too high tend to slip off and will not secure well.
Some people just need more support.
The best sports gloves are designed for heavy lifting and have built-in wrist bands.
Wrist wraps aren't as important if you lift moderate weights or don't feel much pressure on your wrists when you lift weights, so decide which style is right for you.
Recommendations for choosing fitness gloves
When choosing gloves, you should pay attention to:
- Material (cotton, neoprene, leather, leatherette).
- The type of fitness you plan to do (to reduce hand slipping when doing yoga, cotton or neoprene gloves are suitable, and for working with barbells and weights it is better to choose leather ones with special inserts).
- Size.
- The presence of a fixator for the wrist joint.
- The appearance of the gloves does not affect the functionality, but will complement your look and provide additional pleasure from training.
Gloves are made for both professionals and beginners. Each manufacturer focuses on its audience and has its own advantages and highlights. We analyzed the market and prepared for you a rating of the best brands of fitness gloves.
How to choose the size of sports gloves?
Each weightlifting glove manufacturer uses their own sizing chart, so choosing the right size can be a challenge.
Some gloves are unisex, which makes it even more difficult to choose a size.
Take a soft measuring tape and measure your index finger from palm to tip. Also measure the span of your palm, at its widest point. Then measure around your entire palm.
Write down these measurements and keep them with you when you shop.
Manufacturers of athletic lifting gloves may use any of these measurements to determine the size you need.
Advantages and disadvantages of use
Many “experienced” athletes who started training back in Soviet times are skeptical about gloves for training. In those years, even magnesium was not available in every gym, so veterans of strength sports were accustomed to lifting without additional equipment.
In fact, such equipment has a lot of advantages:
- Strengthening your grip . Working with your own body weight on the bar involves heavy loads on the wrist joints and hands. Gloves for pull-ups on the horizontal bar allow you to grasp the apparatus more tightly and increase the number of repetitions.
- Hygiene . Many people come to the gym every day. Naturally, with a large flow of visitors, bacteria accumulate on the equipment. Even with simple fingerless gloves, the athlete reduces the risk of “catching” a skin infection.
- Safety . During intense exercise, increased sweating occurs. This can cause the barbell or dumbbell to slip out of your palms. Sports gloves help prevent the projectile from falling out of your hands.
- Protection from damage . Training with metal equipment inevitably leads to the formation of abrasions, bruises, scratches, and calluses. Thick gaiters will help reduce the risk of minor injuries and severe roughening of the skin of the palms.
The downside of sports gloves is increased sweating directly under the material. The result may be skin irritation due to bacterial growth. Therefore, it is advisable to wash leggings for the gym before an unpleasant odor appears.
TOP 10 best sports gloves
I have divided this list into gloves for men and gloves for women.
Many gloves are unisex, so be sure and check the sizes carefully before choosing. It's best to always measure your hand, even if you think you know your size, because every manufacturer is different when it comes to sizing.
Scitec Nutrition Red Style Training Gloves
Review: These gloves are ideal for lifting weights because they do several things at once.
They provide grip on the lift, protect your hands and are well ventilated. They are not bulky and soft but still protect your hands and create a better grip. My favorite feature is how ventilated they are and how they keep your hands dry and cool.
The most unique feature of these gloves is that they are full finger gloves that offer protection for the entire hand.
pros
- Less bulky
- Well ventilated
- Adds grip without adding too much volume.
- Protects hands without being overly soft.
- Full finger weight lifting gloves.
These gloves are flexible, protective and highly ventilated without adding bulk.
Skott Evo 2 Gloves
Review: These gloves are softer and more durable than most others. They are a little expensive, but these gym gloves are worth it if you lift weights.
These high quality weight lifting gloves will last longer than others and will save you time and money in the long run.
They are padded, which makes them a favorite, but the extra padding can challenge your grip. However, this is the choice of experienced heavyweights.
pros
- Ample padding and good wrist support.
- More durable than others - good for heavy loads.
Minuses
- Some may find them overly soft.
These are the best gloves for lifting weights because they are well padded and provide excellent grip.
Sports gloves TORRES, art.PL6047XL
Review: These are one of the best weightlifting gloves. They have decent wrist support, padding that protects your hands in key areas of the palm and offer excellent grip and still allow you to feel and maintain dexterity.
They fit well and will last longer than other brands, even signature ones.
pros
- High quality material, will outlast other branded gloves.
- Padded layer in strategic positions on the palm.
- The gloves have a hoop support on the wrist.
Minuses
- The gloves will be large, especially for women.
These are the best gloves for weight lifting with wrist support and well placed cushioning.
Fitness gloves, cycling gloves, OneFit, PNX17
Review: These gloves have an open top that keeps your hands well ventilated and cool.
They have just enough cushion for comfort without getting in the way of your grip.
I love the extra wrist support they provide and their hand protection.
pros
- Open top design - keeps hands cool and dry.
- Affordable.
- Strategically placed palm padding.
- Built-in wrist support.
Minuses
- As a rule they run larger.
These athletic gloves are ideal for high-intensity CrossFit workouts.
REX NORDIC gloves
Review: These are a favorite for several reasons. They are durable, have leather palms and some extra wrist support, making them the best pair of gloves for heavy lifting.
They are also durable and made from quality material. This is a quality product that will not disappoint.
pros
- Adjustable wrist bands.
- Leather palm and inner skin.
- Exact size chart
- Soft palm and breathable mesh
Minuses
- Minor complaint - there is no hook or tag to remove the gloves after training.
This is one of the best weight lifting gloves with wrist support.
Trec Wear Leather Gloves
Review: These gloves include wrist support and real cowhide. These are perhaps the best weight lifting gloves with wrist support.
The wrist wrap is long and supportive, and the pad is well positioned.
pros
- Built-in wide wrist hoops, not just closure or adjustment - it's an actual wrap that goes multiple times around the wrist.
- Two loops for removing gloves.
- Rubber pads on the palm help some people with grip.
Gloves Indigo SB-16-1575
Review: Perhaps the most popular weight lifting gloves are those from this brand. These athletic gloves feature a full-length wrist wrap and are among the best weight lifting gloves with wrist support I know.
pros
- Full Wrist Length
- Leather palms for good grip.
- Thick padding prevents blisters.
- Short fingers.
Minuses
- The gasket may cause slipping.
If your goal is prevention, these gloves will do that and the added wrist support and durability is what makes these gloves a classic.
Gloves for women BIOTECHUSA LADY 2
Review: This brand makes some of the best weight lifting gloves for women. Highly rated gloves are not bulky but are breathable with a comfortable fit that protects your hand.
These are also some of the best gloves, with sizes ranging from XS to XL and there is a size for each hand. They fit well and are comfortable, even for small or petite hands.
The ventilation is top-notch and these gloves won't make your hands hot and sweaty.
pros
- Well made and slightly soft - not bulky.
- Breathable material, will not make your hands hot and sweaty.
- Full range of sizes, from super small to super large to suit all hand sizes.
- Affordable.
Minuses
- They run a little big, so order a size down if you like a snug fit.
These are the best sports gloves for weight lifting. They are well ventilated and are among the most comfortable you will find.
Starfit SU-127 gloves
Review: These are reliable gloves, made by a reputable glove manufacturer. These are standard, medium-duty gloves with a reliable name.
They have good ventilation and the suede palm provides excellent grip on the barbell.
pros
- Suede on palm and inside.
- Short fingers for better grip.
- Adjustable Velcro grip.
- Gel pad on palm and thumb.
Minuses
- No extra wrist support.
They're great for preventing blisters, using kettlebells and squats, but not for powerlifters who need extra wrist support.
KETTLER Fitness Gloves AK-310W-S1
Review: These attractive leather gloves are machine washable and well ventilated. The palms are made of soft leather, which is more durable than others and adds a nice grippy texture.
They don't have wrist support, so I would consider these gloves for light weight lifting, which are ideal for protecting your hands from blisters.
pros
- Soft leather palms, lightweight and comfortable.
- Adjustable Velcro closure.
- Short fingers.
Minuses
- No extra wrist support.
These gloves are great for medium-duty lifting, preventing blisters on rope lifts and pull-ups, but without wrist support.
What are the best gloves for lifting weights?
You want gloves that fit snugly without being restrictive.
Trust me when I say: you need to measure your palm because every brand is different. Always check the size chart and measure your hand before ordering. This is especially true for unisex gloves.
Be carefull!
Some gloves use your index finger measurement, others measure your palm, while others measure around your palm.
It's best to use a soft tape measure to get an accurate measurement along the curve of your palm.
Existing types of gloves
Fitness gloves are divided primarily into men's and women's. Women's ones are smaller in size and often brightly colored. Men prefer athletic gloves with a wrist lock and pads. These accessories are made of neoprene, polyester or leather. To remove moisture and improve air circulation, they are equipped with mesh or perforated.
When doing bodybuilding or fitness, gloves with cut off fingers are used. Models with a wrist lock will be needed when working with heavy weights or performing exercises with a narrow grip. In this case, the clamps can be rigid or tensile. Separately, gloves with weights should be highlighted. These are produced, for example, by Adidas. The average weight of cargo is approximately 0.5 kg. For ease of use they can be removable.
Should you buy gloves for lifting weights?
If you want your hands to be soft and not callous, sports weight lifting gloves are the way to go.
Some may argue that they destroy your grip, while others insist that they help your grip.
Others don't want rough hands and don't welcome cuts.
You have to decide if they are right for you and not worry about what others say in this case. If weight lifting gloves improve lifting, use them.
As I said, some athletes find that gloves prevent them from strengthening their grip. If this happens to you, just stop using them.
If you need wrist support try a couple of wrist lift wraps.
Some other alternatives to weight lifting gloves are hand grips, which only cover part of the palm and provide excellent grip.
Or you can use weight lifting hooks to take pressure off your grip if it's holding you back.
