When doing numerous tasks such as yard work, dishwashing, floor scrubbing, car repair, house painting, and hair coloring, you wear gloves to cover your hands. Therefore, why would you not wear gloves to protect your hands when participating in weightlifting activities? Lifting weights requires intensive use of the hands as you slip weight plates on and off, grip barbells, pass dumbbells, and swing kettlebells. Injury or discomfort, such as an abrasion, does not detract from the enjoyment of these sports.
Suppose you can prefer to wear lifting gloves to avoid developing calluses. In that case, they have several benefits besides protecting your hands. It can also help you break through workout plateaus. The ideal pair of gloves for you will fit into your gym bag, absorb sweat, slip on and off, and protect you from odor. Consider the following seven benefits when determining the need for weight lifting gloves:
Benefits of Gym Gloves
1) Gloves for weightlifting cover your fingers
Lifting heavy loads with inexperienced hands will put a strain on the tendons in your fingers. The middle finger bears the brunt of the force. If the tendons are overstressing, tendonitis symptoms can occur. These symptoms include swelling, discomfort, inflammation, sensitivity to touch, and an inability to bend your finger. Even a minor injury or sensation of pain may affect your workout progress. Gloves for workouts provide additional protection for the hands and fingers. Rather than the weight-bearing on your fingers, the gloves serve as a protective shield. In contrast, the gloves will not allow you to lift heavy loads. They will protect your fingers from undue stress and will assist you in increasing the weight load.
2) Exercise gloves help prevent calluses.
Calluses are tiny rough patches on the palms of your hands that develop as a result of friction. During weightlifting, conflict happens when the handle of the bar rubs against your palms. While calluses are not harmful, they can become painful, crack, or rip open if you continue to exercise without protecting your hands. These injuries will impede your fitness progress because you will be unable to lift with proper form. Weight lifting gloves help prevent the formation of calluses by forming a barrier between your hands and the abrasive workout bars. Other than that, you should maintain your mental concentration on your exercise session.
3) Gloves prevent the need for chalk
Fitness enthusiasts may use gym chalk to improve their grip and reduce sweating. Many gyms, however, discourage or ban the use of gym chalk due to its difficulty in cleaning. Additionally, some people are allergic to chalk dust and can sneeze or cough when exposed to it. If you before used chalk for exercises such as the deadlift but your gym’s policy has changed, or you have an allergic reaction, use a pair of gloves instead. By collecting sweat and helping grip strength, weight lifting gloves remove the need for chalk. Additionally, unlike chalk, gloves are not sticky, eliminating the need to clean the floor after using them.
4) Gloves for weightlifting cut the risk of falling weights
If you exercise vigorously, you can sweat. It is inescapable. Sweating is the body’s process for controlling its internal temperature. Specific individuals either sweat on their hands or use their hands to brush away sweat from their forehead or ears. If your hands are wet, the risk of slipping a barbell or dumbbell increases. Depending on the exercise, the weight can fall onto your foot, leg, chest, or head. Action with each of these areas can result in a range of injuries ranging from mild to severe.
Wearing a weight lifting glove decreases the probability of the weights slipping if the material absorbs sweat, such as neoprene. When you wear a protective barrier during your workout, you reduce the chance of dropping the weight and hurting yourself. Wear gloves if you are using a spotter to keep your buddy from having to catch a falling weight. Pick a glove that will not exacerbate a sweaty condition. For instance, wearing full-handed leather gloves can increase sweating, making you feel uneasy and odiferous. A small glove covering the palm and finger pads allows air to circulate, prevents excess sweat, and maintains a safe grip on the training tool.
5) Workout gloves improve stability
Weight lifting gloves provide stability for the hands, and some also offer additional wrist protection. If you have previously sustained an injury to your fingers, hands, or wrists, this additional protection may be necessary. Even if you are not injured, gloves provide a solid foundation for your lifting movements. The gloves provide a thin yet secure platform around your hands, which helps you maintain a firm grip on the weights for a more extended period. This results in increased stamina, muscular endurance, and grip strength. When gloves are paired with wrist braces, the forearms are stabilised, aiding you in controlling weighted motions and ensuring proper technique.
6) Weightlifting helps you develop your technique during workouts.
Lifting weights is a mental as well as physical exercise. Without attention to the gestures, your technique will suffer, and your performance will suffer. Wearing lifting gloves will help you develop your exercise technique by bridging the gap between your mind and body. For instance, if you are lifting a heavyweight and are concern about developing calluses, sweaty palms, or aggravating an existing injury, your mind is not present at the moment. When you put on a pair of weight lifting gloves and remove these doubts, your mind and body are free to focus on your technique. For instance, rather than compensating for calluses or sweaty hands, you can grip the bar as required for optimal results. By using proper technique, you can also prevent damage to the shoulders, elbows, and knees.
7) Gloves serve as a cushion, alleviating hand pain.
Hand pain may strike or develop over time as a result of years of weight lifting. Additionally, you may be suffering from a chronic physical condition that is affecting your nerves. When nerves become hyper-responsive or overworked, pain in the hands prevents you from having a safe and robust workout session. Weight lifting gloves provide cushioning for this nerve pain, enabling you to continue with your workout. Choose a weight lifting glove that is versatile enough to accommodate a range of movements.
For example, a small pad that slides over your fingers provides a stable surface for push-ups, a non-slip grip for pull-ups, and protection for your hands during barbell arm curls. The best option is a thin glove that does not mess with your grip. In other words, if you want a heavy, bulky glove that adds a half-inch of safety, you can alter the shape of your grip. Besides, a thin pad covering contact points will not add bulk or change the grip on the bar.
