You’ve probably heard that weightlifting gloves are a must-have for serious lifters. So, you hit the gym and strap on a pair of gloves without thinking twice.
What if weightlifting gloves simply aren’t all they’re cracked up to be as a workout aid?
Most gloves aren’t well constructed, which means you’ll need to replace them often. With all the finger holes, straps, and stitching, they tend to not last very long—especially with constant use. This is just one of several issues that we will explore.
Here are 5 reasons you might want to rethink lifting gloves as part of your go-to gym gear, and the scoop on a better alternative.
Gloves are a haven for sweat and bacteria. When the two combine, the result is a stinky mess. Washing gloves won’t necessarily get the smell out, since woven fibers tend to trap odors. And if you go with leather gloves, forget about it.
Leather can’t be washed or submerged in water—only spot treated. The best you can hope for is to take the edge off funky smells and stains. And we know you don’t want to be that guy at the gym, driving others away with your odorific gear.
Weightlifting gloves often have thick padding in the palms, which many brands claim protects your skin from blisters. But padding often comes at the expense of grip.
A glove that’s overly padded can make it difficult to get a secure hold of the bar. This puts you at risk of injuring yourself due to improper form or—worse—dropping your weights.
Your grip should feel natural and not strained. If you can’t imagine working out without some kind of aid, invest in a quality product that doesn’t compromise your grip on the bar.
Dealing with calluses is a hassle. Some people wear them like a badge of honor, but these annoying areas of thickened skin can be painful and can detract from your workout. Calluses that become infected can make it impossible to grip anything—including a barbell—until the callus is healed.
Don’t buy into the common claim that weightlifting gloves prevent calluses. Traditional workout gloves don’t usually provide enough cushioning to prevent calluses. On the contrary, because they increase friction, gloves can actually lead to the formation of calluses.
If you use hooks or straps for certain exercises, weightlifting gloves are cumbersome. Every time you want to transition from pulling to pushing exercises, you have to stop and change your gear. That means peeling off sweaty gloves, changing up your equipment, then trying to get sweaty gloves back on again.
To avoid constantly changing gear, many lifters end up lumping together all their pulling exercises—like deadlifts, shrugs, and cable rows—before moving on to pushing exercises, like bench presses and chest flies. You don’t need gloves dominating your workout routine.
Excessive sweating is known to cause heat rashes and other skin problems. One condition that’s particularly common in weightlifters is pompholyx eczema (also called dyshidrotic eczema). It mostly affects the hands and feet, causing painful, fluid-filled blisters, especially on the edges of the fingers and the toes.
By trapping sweat and keeping moisture against the skin, gloves can contribute to outbreaks of pompholyx eczema, dermatitis, and other skin conditions. If you rely on gear to help you grip the bar, pick a product that lets your hands breathe.
Versa Gripps are in a category of their own. These innovative grips take the place of gloves, straps, hooks, and wrist supports. They’re the only accessory you need for weightlifting.
Here’s what sets Versa Gripps apart from traditional workout gloves:
Versa Gripps are the best grips for weightlifting, bar none. Our team wanted to design an all-in-one product that helps you achieve your weightlifting goals.
It’s why we put so much thought and effort into designing a premium product that helps enhance mind-muscle connection, so you can harness your full lifting potential.
Find your perfect pair of Versa Gripps, and train better.
