When I first started going to the gym a lifetime ago I had no idea what I was doing; except I thought I did. That young, scrawny, version of me thought he had everything figured out and that he knew everything there was to know. I had answers, albeit the wrong ones, for everything. Which lifts to prioritize, how to split, what to eat, what to wear? In fact, I still remember what I told my brother, who did know what he was talking about, when he told me to buy a pair of gym gloves. I said, Tim, I’m not looking to win a pageant!

Boy was I wrong.

For those of us who frequently go to the gym to achieve big gains, weightlifting gloves are more than just an accessory. Gloves provide comfort while lifting your weights, for sure, but did you know that your gym gloves can also increase your muscle gains? They can, so let me tell you how because choosing the right gloves is extremely important. While some guys will give you flak for wearing them, legit bodybuilders and experienced fitness enthusiasts agree that selecting the right pair of gloves is the ultimate game changer in the pursuit of your goals.

Gym gloves that make the difference

Wearing specialized gloves for weightlifting improves your grip when handling dumbbells, bars, and pretty much everything else.  Get some quality gloves and you will notice the difference right away. Training will become more comfortable immediately. You might as well forget that palm sores, blisters, and other painful lesions exist. This is especially important if you happen to work in any field where your hands come into contact with other people on a regular basis. Imagine getting a massage from a masseuse with rough, callused, hands.

No matter how many times you hear the old joke about matching your gym gloves to your purse, get this through your head; weightlifting gloves not an aesthetic choice, they are about function.

Anybody who lifts heavier weights would agree that heavy loads can be really tough on your palms. Keeping a close grip with bare hands or, even worse, inadequate gloves can cause a lot of pain. Nobody likes pain, so once you start feeling it, chances are you will lower the weight in an attempt to get some relief.

Time and time again, I’ve seen people surprise themselves when they get some proper gloves and all of a sudden they are lifting beyond what they thought possible. It makes perfect sense, the less you have to focus on pain the more you can focus on proper grip, form, and muscle activation.

Another significant advantage to using gym gloves is that they protect you from accidents. I know gym accidents are rare, but trust me, when they do occur they can be devastating. Using them will reduce the risk of slips caused by sweat, which are potentially dangerous when performing certain types of exercise. 

The bottom line is this: Gym gloves are not just for show; by enhancing your grip, gloves will increase your loads, help to prevent accidents and protect your palms from developing painful blisters and rough calluses.

Choosing the best pair of gloves

If you’re looking for the right pair of gloves, here are a few tips you should consider:

• Look for gloves that have a long strap for wrist support. This makes maintaining proper technique throughout and reduces the chance of hurting your wrist.
• Gloves should be padded to provide maximum cushioning and strain protection. 
• Gloves should have non-slip fabric to keep sliding to a minimum. 
• Avoid synthetic fibers since they will obstruct perspiration. Natural, breathable fabrics will keep your hands dry and your grip more secure.

One final recommendation to our readers: Don’t be THAT guy, wash your gloves. Wash them once a week to avoid foul sweat and gunk from building up. Nobody should have to smell your filthy mittens from across the room.

If you are still not convinced, just give it a try. Once you start lifting with the right pair of gloves you’ll be singing a different tune. I sure did. The moment I put on a pair of quality gloves for the first time was the moment I learned that I knew so much less than I thought I did. The simple act of purchasing a pair of properly fitting gloves will, singlehandedly, change the way you lift.

Trust me on this, you’ll be lifting more, training longer, and seeing more gains.