There are two vital points of contact when training for strength with barbells and free weights. In part 1 of this series, we discussed one of them being your feet where they contact the ground. Today, we will be discussing the other vital point of contact which is where your hands grip the bar or other implement.
In the world of fitness, it has long been fashionable to wear gloves when training. You probably know the type. They are generally fingerless and made of leather or some combination of suede, leather and another more-breathable fabric for the back of the hand. The intent of the wearer is generally two-fold. They are trying to provide a more secure grip and/or protect the hand from developing calluses. While the glove does protect the hand from excessive wear and tear, it does not improve the grip on the bar. In fact, it makes establishing and maintaining a secure grip even harder to achieve since you must squeeze more tightly to make up for the extra material which is now between the bar and your hand. At heavier weights – the kind you will necessarily be using in order to become stronger – the extra material may be uncomfortable to have between your palm and fingers and the bar. It may also cause your grip to be compromised for some people who already have a somewhat smaller hand due to the fact they are now essentially trying hard to hold onto a bar with a larger circumference created by the addition of layers of fabric, leather, and sometimes padding with which the gloves are made. The benefit then of protecting your skin by wearing gloves is outweighed by the matter of your grip being compromised. When your grip is failing, you cannot adequately perform the exercise and make progress, let alone be able to perform the movement safely.
Wearing Gloves While Strength Training
So, are gloves ever okay to wear? Some would say no, unless you make sure they at least match your purse. Personally, I do not wear them while training. I have needed to, though, on rare occasions where my hand has an open wound on the surface of the palm or fingers. More often than not, I have found using athletic tape to protect the injured area does a better job at both providing comfort and enabling me to still maintain a secure grip. But then what about using gloves to prevent ugly calluses – especially for the ladies? While I know my next statements will be unpopular with many, I’m going to say them anyway. If you are a man – I would much prefer the handshake of ugly, toughened, callused hands than from those that are soft and free of the blemishes that accompany hard work and serious engagement. There are few things I find as awkward as shaking the hand of a man whose skin is so soft and tender it’s like shaking a woman’s hand- only fatter. That being said – I truly admire the firm handshake of a woman whose skin has been made tough and conditioned by the regular exposure to serious training. At the same time, a little proper self-care will easily maintain the skin of your hands and keep them from becoming grotesque or damaged and therefore within the realm of social acceptability. I digress, though, since hand maintenance is not within the scope of this blog and will have to be addressed more thoroughly at another time.
Chalk & Strength Training
There is, however, another vital bit of equipment in order to get the most out of your training – chalk. Sometimes also called gymnastic chalk, chalk is often sold cheaply in small blocks and is essential for safe and effective training where a secure grip is critical. This makes it perfect for barbell training, among other fitness-related activities where grip is important. The chalk dries your skin and even provides a small degree of skin protection from the bar. Most importantly, it greatly improves the integrity of your grip. This enables you to train optimally and more safely. The downside of chalk for some gyms is that it is messy. Inevitably, there will be people who are both extravagant and messy about chalk use. Yes, this is obnoxious, but I would rather provide the chalk for everyone’s safety and benefit to their training instead of barring its use altogether because a few dorky knuckleheads insist on applying it excessively and then doing things like clapping their hands as they release plumes of chalk dust into the air.
A final word about chalk – I have found there is no substitute. There are liquids that can be applied that, when dry, are supposed to act like chalk. When I’ve tried them, I have remained unimpressed. The difference between the way these products and actual chalk perform are the difference between shooting a bullet and throwing one. There’s just no comparison. There primary appeal seems to be that they forego the mess usually accompanying chalk usage. In my experience, another bad trade off. So, save gloves as a last resort in the event of damaged hands that otherwise prevent you from training or in the event that you are a hand model and your livelihood depends on smooth, unblemished skin. Otherwise, buy some chalk and use it appropriately. Your training progress and safety are worth the small mess that comes with it.