Buying guide for Best gymnastic hand grips
When you are working out using any kind of bar, your skin can develop calluses. If you continue to work out, those calluses can dry out and rip off, taking strips of skin with them, which is as painful as it sounds. Whether you're doing the uneven bars or CrossFit training, your hands need to be protected. Quality pairs of gymnastic hand grips are designed to do exactly that.
The best gymnastic hand grips are durable and comfortable. They should fit snugly over your fingers and attach securely to your wrists. Hand grips are textured to provide a good grip on the apparatus. Gymnastic hand grips for beginners may not have a dowel that runs along the top of the grips, but an advanced gymnast will want this feature as it helps you move more easily around the bar.
Key considerations
Although most gymnastic hand grips are designed for gymnasts, other individuals can also benefit from a little hand protection, such as weightlifters.
Gymnastic hand grips
Hand grips for gymnastics are more rugged than other types of hand grips. You’ll want grips manufactured using thick leather that conforms closely to your hand as you break in the grips. They also need to have a textured surface that won’t slip from the bar when you are doing hip circles or giants. The preferred wrist strap is a buckle. That way the athlete can be certain the grips will have no way of coming undone in the middle of a difficult move. These types of grips can have two or three finger holes, and you’ll want those holes to be a little small so the grips fit snugly and stay on your hand. Lastly, gymnastic hand grips for advanced gymnasts feature a small dowel across the top of each grip to help with movement around the bar.
Other types of hand grips
Although the fit is important, hand grips that will be used for lifting weights do not have to be quite so snug and secure as those needed when rotating around a bar. However, a pair of hand grips that you use for CrossFit training needs to be a little more versatile because you will be using your hands in a wider variety of positions. The ideal pair will absorb sweat so the bar doesn’t slip in your grasp, be comfortable, and have a secure but easily removable wrist strap, usually Velcro. Often these types of hand grips will have two or three finger holes, but some more closely resemble a glove and feature four finger holes.
Features
Shape
Gymnastic hand grips are available in three general shapes: skinny, straight, or curved.
- Skinny: Skinny gymnastic hand grips are the narrowest in design. They feature the least amount of protection because they are just a thin strip that covers the center of the hand. An individual might prefer a skinny hand grip because it gives the most natural feel when gripping a bar.
- Straight: Gymnastic hand grips with a straight design offer the most protection as they feature a wide bar that covers more of the hand. The downside is that these grips are the hardest to get used to.
- Curved: A curved grip is a hybrid. This grip resembles an hourglass shape in that it is a bit thinner in the middle and wider at the top and bottom. These hand grips offer more protection than skinny grips and more of a natural feel than straight grips.
Wrist straps
The two main types of wrist straps are a buckle, which is more secure, or a hook-and-loop design, which is held together with Velcro. A buckle provides more security and support, but a hook-and-loop fastener can be adjusted to a precise tightness and it is easier to operate.
Finger holes
In general, the more finger holes your gymnastic hand grips have, the more they will protect your hands. A grip with two holes is only two fingers wide, but a grip with four finger holes will cover most of your hand.
Moisture-wicking
Some grips designed for CrossFit have moisture-wicking materials, so your hands won’t slip. Gymnasts use chalk for the same reason.
Texture
The surface of your gymnastic hand grips should have some kind of texture to help you get a better grip on whatever you are grasping.
Flexibility
Hand grips used for CrossFit training need to be a little thinner and more versatile so that you can engage in a wider range of activities.
Carrying bag
If your gymnastic hand grips come with a carrying bag, that is an appreciated bonus.
Washer/dryer-friendly
Some gymnastic hand grips designed for CrossFit training can be machine-washed. Most hand grips, however, cannot be machine-washed, so be certain to read the care instructions carefully when you get your new hand grips.
Accessories
- Wristbands: Even the best gymnastic hand grips will chafe your wrists. Wristbands will help keep that from happening.
- Athletic tape: It can be used to wrap your hand on top of the prewrap. If needed, athletic tape can also be used on your wrist straps or to make adjustments to your finger holes.
- Pumice stone: You can use a pumice stone to keep your calluses smooth so they don’t get caught and cause a rip.
Gymnastic hand grip prices
Inexpensive
If you are looking for a light-duty pair of generic gymnastic hand grips suitable for gym activities like weightlifting, kettlebells, or CrossFit training, you can find what you need for $5 to $10.
Mid-range
For a more durable, better-fitting pair of gymnastic hand grips, you’ll want to look in the $10 to $20 price range. These grips are designed to be more comfortable, and they may come with a free grip bag.
Expensive
If you want something suitable for competitive gymnastics, you’ll want to look at hand grips that are $35 or more.
Tips
- If your gymnastic hand grips are too small or too large, they won’t adequately protect your hands while practicing and performing, and they could become a safety concern.
- Most manufacturers make gymnastic hand grips in four or five sizes. It’s important to understand, however, that sizing is not consistent between manufacturers.
- Hand measurements are taken from the tip of the index finger to the bottom of the palm.
- Consult the sizing chart from the manufacturer to determine which size gymnastic hand grips you need.
- The finger holes in gymnastic hand grips are designed to be small for a snug fit. If they are too tiny, you can widen them with a piece of sandpaper wrapped around a pencil.
FAQ
Q. Do I really need gymnastic hand grips?
A. Athletes who prefer to keep the skin on their hands healthy and free from calluses will benefit greatly from wearing gymnastic hand grips. Besides protecting your hands, grips do what their name suggests: they give you a better grip. You may not need grips right away, but as soon as you are performing moves that involve rotating fully around a bar, you will want a pair. The earlier you start wearing gymnastic hand grips, the easier it is to get used to them.
Q. My gymnastic hand grips are stiff, and it’s hard to hold onto the bar. How do I break them in?
A. Like a baseball glove, gymnastic hand grips need to be broken in before they are comfortable and effective. It’s best to start slowly, breaking your new grips in by doing simple hangs and swings on the rings or bars until they get softer and begin molding to both your hands and the bar.
Q. How do I care for my gymnastic hand grips?
A. You will want to keep your gymnastic hand grips in a grip bag and remember to brush off any excess chalk before putting them away. A grip brush can help you break up some of that caked-on chalk, plus it will roughen up the surface of your grips so they don’t become slippery.
Q. How do I know when it’s time to replace my gymnastic hand grips?
A. Any sign of wear and tear can be a signal that your grips need to be replaced. Typical wear spots are overall thinning of the leather, small tears in the sides, holes near the wrist, stitching that is coming undone, and tears in the Velcro. Additionally, hand grips that no longer fit properly need to be replaced.
