Thread: Gloves? To use or not to use...that is the question.

not to use.... they hurt your grip strength.

maybe on shrugs it may be worth it, but only on extremely high weight exercises. other than that it definitely prevents grip strength gains.

personally, i never use... but the above example is the only time id think about it.

I've been thinking of getting a pair of gloves, because my olympic bar is one of those fucking shiny silvery ones, and my hands slip apart when going heavy on bench press. It's up to you, whatever feels more comfortable, just go for it. Don't forget to neglect grip strength training.

The difference in possible grip strength is negligible. This is a matter of comfort, period!

I've gone with and without. I now prefer with for the fact that it prevents some callous build up.

It's completely a choice of comfort IMO. Do not let the fact that you'll gain more one way or the other. It's crap.

I personally have never used gloves. I actually prefer getting callouses. Because in the long run, you will have a much more comfortable grip without gloves getting in the way, and you won't have to worry about the rough bar and weight hurting your hands. It is all in personal choice, I don't really believe there are any true advantages or disadvantages of using or not using them.

I use gloves only when I chin up(pull up) with heavy weights especially in winter, otherwise my calluses at the base of both middle fingers tend to crack open huge and it would take months to heal.

In summer, I can do it alright without gloves though I have to use a file now and then to rub them away. Again otherwise, my wife never let me touch ....oops, never mind

If you are a chick who wants to have pretty hands, then buy some gloves. If you are a real man who likes the feel of the raw weights in his bare hands, and who likes to get pimped out callouses that the bitches will love, ditch the gloves.

Between lifting weights and playing guitar, my hands are plenty calloused. This is not a bad thing; you get used to it and it is no longer an issue after a few weeks.

yea i like callouses too, kuz my friends think my jobs for pussies

no gloves for me

I dont mind the callouses, but the girlfriend hates them, bit scratchy on her bits apparently, so gloves it is. mousturising heaps will help if you are going no gloves but dont want them too nasty.

I never use them..

Used to, along with belts and neck pads. Got rid of them all.

Ditch the gloves, if you use them you will depend on them and then when you forget them one day your hands will hurt like a bitch. Once your hands get used to it, you wont have any desire to wear gloves.

One of my friends wears the gloves with the extra wrist support, I tell him they are for men with limp wrists.

No gloves for me, but I am anti-gear.

I use gloves with wrist protection. 'Bitches' don't like callouses. Especially not when massaging (...). Besides, your wrists can definitely use the extra bit of protection.

Gloves don't hurt grip strength. Straps do.

It's all about comfort. I hate massive callouses and touching a cold iron bar after warming up in the winter.

Originally Posted by Pylon

Used to, along with belts and neck pads. Got rid of them all.

Ditto. Now I have neck bruises and hand callouses, and I love it.

Any recommendations for a pair? Or does it matter that much...?

I use them, have to! They hurt like hell if I don't.

Originally Posted by MWpro

If you are a chick who wants to have pretty hands, then buy some gloves. If you are a real man who likes the feel of the raw weights in his bare hands, and who likes to get pimped out callouses that the bitches will love, ditch the gloves.

Between lifting weights and playing guitar, my hands are plenty calloused. This is not a bad thing; you get used to it and it is no longer an issue after a few weeks.

Thats the dumbest thing I've ever heard. I really gotta prove how manly I am by not wearing gloves and tearing my hands up. I bet all the cool kids will think I'm so tough.

I am a no-glove man myself. I love my callouses.

I have been using gloves lately, but I have lifted without. They both are the same to me.

I use them - and like it

I used to use them, the cheap ones that would stain your hands from the dye in the leather. I now prefer to go without.

I had a pair of gloves that I sparingly used a few years ago when it got really cold in my cellar (home gym), but I lost them and now I don't have any. I remember buying them at Olympia Sports for only a few bucks, the kind with exposed fingers. I'd recommend something like that. However, you might want to just skip the gloves and get used to doing it without any. That's what I've done.

The last time I used gloves was because I had to after my hand started bleeding as a result of busting open a callus doing deadlifts... And yes, I cleaned the bar when I was done... That was about 10 months ago or so though..

I use gloves and I have no problem with it.

I dont believe they impact on grip strength at all - ultimately how can soft leather gloves somehow support the weight you are holding? Now straps, thats different.

I started using gloves because I had problems with my hands getting messed up with pull ups. I dont miss the callus's I used to get.

I once read a thread on here about people doing deadlifts in shorts and cutting up their shins and saying it was a badge of honour. In the same way I dont believe doing anything that injures you (not matter how small) is particularly bright and with that in mind I deadlift in sweat pants to protect my legs. One final point, I shake hands a lot in my job with professional people and I know they found it unusual to shake hands with me in the past when I had callus's so - its another reason why I'm glad I now use gloves.

Just do whats right for you and dont be bullied by people wanting to show how 'macho' they are. Just my opinion

i used them when i first started lost them and never looked back

Originally Posted by JonnyStead

I use gloves and I have no problem with it.

I dont believe they impact on grip strength at all - ultimately how can soft leather gloves somehow support the weight you are holding? Now straps, thats different.

I started using gloves because I had problems with my hands getting messed up with pull ups. I dont miss the callus's I used to get.

I once read a thread on here about people doing deadlifts in shorts and cutting up their shins and saying it was a badge of honour. In the same way I dont believe doing anything that injures you (not matter how small) is particularly bright and with that in mind I deadlift in sweat pants to protect my legs. One final point, I shake hands a lot in my job with professional people and I know they found it unusual to shake hands with me in the past when I had callus's so - its another reason why I'm glad I now use gloves.

Just do whats right for you and dont be bullied by people wanting to show how 'macho' they are. Just my opinion

I just don't feel comfortable with them on. I like to have my skin on the iron.

Originally Posted by ReproMan

I just don't feel comfortable with them on. I like to have my skin on the iron.

There is nothing wrong with that. I think Stead was talking more to the people trying to come off all tough because their hands look like shit. Chicks do not dig scar tissue, the same as most chicks do not like huge muscles. To say otherwise shows that you do not pay attention to the world around you.