Why use Weightlifting Gloves, Straps, and belts?

Weightlifting Gloves

The pros:

1. Gloves protect hands from calluses and blisters

2. Gloves provide grip: Sweaty hands can make it tough to keep a good grip.

3. Gloves provide stability and wrist support: gloves can create a strong base of support around your wrists.

The cons:

1. Gloves can be stinky and bacteria can grow

2. Gloves can aggravate skin issues

3. Gloves can be habit forming

Once you start wearing gloves, you could become dependent on them. If you always feel that you need gloves to work out, you may never increase your grip strength naturally.

Recommendation: wrist supported gloves

Wrist Straps

Wrist straps help you lift more weight as the material strap wrapped around your bar and wrist helps to redistribute the weight away from your palm. This allows you to lift heavier and for longer to reach your muscular failure as your strength often overtakes your grip strength capacity. Wrist straps are best for heavy deadlifts, lat pulldowns, and rows.

Recommendation: padded wrist straps

Lifting Belt

Lifting belts can be useful once you can lift (squat or deadlift) around 1.5 times your bodyweight. Some lifters may benefit from using a belt at lower weights, while others may prefer to wait until they can lift more. A weightlifting belt stabilizes the spine and the surrounding muscles, enabling you to lift with a more neutral spinal posture. This can reduce the risk of injuries and strains, particularly when pushing your physical limits.

Recommendation: Self-Locking Weight Lifting Belt