Jun 26, 20205 min read

Best Training Gloves

Updated: Jun 22, 2021

Introduction | Benefits of training gloves | The 10 Best Weightlifting Gloves

man wearing training gloves and holding a dumbbell

I want to make one thing explicitly clear from the get-go. You are not, I repeat NOT, a nancy if you wear training gloves. I only mention it because that’s what the boys started calling me at the sted’ed gym I trained at as a teen when I rocked up in a pair of York netted – netted not knitted! – training gloves my mum bought me for my birthday. ‘A real man trains bare fleshed,’ the carpet-carrying behemoths taunted.

So as not to offend mum I would leave the house sporting my netted – netted not knitted! – gloves but when I got within a hundred metres of the gym I quickly unsheathed.

What I’ve since learned is, there’s no shame in wearing training gloves – anyone who tells you otherwise is a fool. Training gloves can enhance the exercise experience and improve performance.

Before we take look at some products I’m going to discuss, in brief, how we can use training gloves in our sessions (I won’t offended if you go ahead and skip my spiel).

1: Lo-ng row sessions

Whenever I decide to row 15,000-plus metres I always strap on a pair of gloves. Why? Well I find that after an hour of rowing, suffused in slippery sweat, my forearms are fatigued which makes gripping the ore quite the challenge. Training gloves are a simple and effective way of mitigating this problem. They prevent slipping and reduce hot-spots developing on the palms thus allowing me to focus on covering the distance in a reasonably respectable time.

2: Hammer training

In my other article – Training Hammers – I included a small range of training gloves for the simple reason that, 10 minutes of swinging a hammer can feel like you just given a cheese grater a hand job (excuse that). Yeah I’m all in for rough and tumble, but I don’t want Freddy Krueger hands after every session – my other passion, besides exercising, is spanking the plank (aka playing the guitar). Believe me when I say, fingering the G string in no fun when your hands are in tatters. This irritating eventuality doesn’t occur when you slip on a pair of gloves.

3: Kettlebell sessions

Much the same with the training hammer, a prolonged kettlebell sesh will trash the hands. If you think I’m over exaggerating spend twenty minutes interchanging continuously between swings and single arm cleans into presses. Let’s put it this way, piano practice and high-fives will be off the menu for a week. Which is no fun.

4: And finally urban training

I don’t know about you but I love to conclude a run with a play in the park. Pull-ups and hanging leg raises on the swings, press-ups and burpees on the AstroTurf, alternate bar-jumps on the seesaw. You can’t beat it! But the pleasure of urban training (as I like to call it) can be somewhat dampened without gloves. No one likes rusty hands and plastic grass sores on their knuckles. Not going to happen when you’re gloved up.

Right, if I have you convinced regarding the merit and worth of training gloves, and how they can support us during exercise, below you will find some excellent examples. All of the products below satisfy the following criteria:

- Over 100 customer feedback reviews

- No less than 4 star rating

- Built to endure not to break

The 10 Best Weightlifting Gloves

1: OMERIL weightlifting gloves (£10)

Product Information (click image for availability)

The strategically placed mesh outer fabric offers excellent breathability while the ergonomic design improves comfort and feel.
OMERIL's weightlifting gloves feature an integrated full length wrist strap that enhances wrist stability during heavy lifts.
The non-slip design with multiple padded contact points provides a further level of hand protection.

5 stars with over 800 reviews

2: Grebarley Gym Gloves (£13.99)

Product Information (click image for availability)

Grebarley's rough and ready super durable all-purpose weightlifting gloves have been designed for those spit and sawdust lifters out there.
Crafted from high quality materials these gloves promise to last a life time.
The non-slip raised palms improves protection and grip.

4.5 stars after over 1600 reviews

3: Atercel weight lifting gloves (£10.99)

Product Information (click image for availability)

Atercel's innovative palm design maximises grip while reducing soreness around contact points.
The glove design is inspired by scientific research conducted on how people use gloves during weight training. Thus they offer superior comfort and a super snug fit.
The Atercel glove is made from lightweight, breathable and stretchy material which increases flexibility and sensitivity.

Nearly five stars with 1850 reviews