Choosing the Right Weightlifting Gloves

Just as the perfect running shoe is vital for your regular jogs in the park, the perfect weightlifting glove is necessary for a productive and safe session of strength training. If you lift on even a semi-regular basis, you’ll no doubt understand the need for a great pair. Rough bars cause calluses and heavy weights place great stress on both your hands and wrists. The proper gloves will keep your skin smooth, help you lift more than you would without them, and provide support for weak or arthritic hands and wrists.

Having said all that, there’s really not a “one-size-suits-all” pair that’s perfect for everybody. You’ll want to choose a glove that suits your specific needs  helping you take your training to the next level. I’ve found a variety of gloves that both I (a small but heavy-lifting woman) and several of my clients have tested out. These folks range from a buff guy who lifts massive amounts of weight and does an endless amount of pull-ups, to a woman in her 60’s with arthritic hands and wrists. I’m confident one of these gloves will suit your needs!

GoFit Diamond-Tac Palm Weightlifting Gloves:  These gloves are lightweight and flexible which is ideal for the light to moderate lifter. They have extra padding on the palm in their special Diamond-Tac gripping pattern where your hands meet bars for added protection and easier gripping. I would definitely use these gloves for Nautilus style machines and lifting weights under 30 pounds. They’re a great choice for your average fitness fanatic. Machine washable. Retail Price $14.99

Schiek Platinum Series Lifting Gloves: If you lift lots of weight and need serious support, you’re going to want to go with these babies. Designed for big-time lifters, they’re padded to the max and even offer varying levels of wrist support. A fun feature is their patented “fins’ which assist in glove removal. Machine washable. Retail Price: $34.99 – 39.99

Versa Gripps: It’s hard to even consider these ‘gloves’ per se, but they do perform well in the grip assist department. They’re not made to be soft; they’re made to do a job. Versa Gripps are a self-supporting grip assisting tool which helps prevent grip fatigue and helps make sure your hands don’t give out before the muscle you’re working does. Great for both heavy lifters and those with weak or arthritic hands and wrists. Retail Price: $39.50 – $52.50