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Do you need gym gloves?

To glove or not to glove while working out in the gym. We look at the pros and cons of gloves.

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Written By: Nirmalya Dutta | Published : June 25, 2014 2:05 PM IST

gloves 1This is a topic that has divided gym-goers from the beginning of time (or whenever mankind decided the best way forward was to lift heavy weights) should you use gym gloves or not? While there are pros and cons to wearing gloves and we'll try to give you an unbiased view:

Pros: Gloves give a better grip and it might allow you to hold dumbbells or barbells properly, especially for heavier weights, especially if the dumbbell handles are old or have rust on them. They also help prevent calluses though most men would want calluses, as they think it's manlier! There are some gloves which come with wrist support which will help for those suffering from wrist injuries or have weak wrists. Many prefer chalk dust to gloves to increase the function but that can get terribly tedious.

Cons: Some argue that gloves can cause your grip to slip for heavier weights and using gloves kills your strength and weakens your arm. That's why gloves aren't even allowed at powerlifting competitions. They can also lead to eczema or other skin conditions because they retain the sweat from your arms.

So to wear a glove or not? We guess it really is a personal choice.

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