What are gymnastic grips used for?

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On April 4, 2025

Have you experienced hand burn when performing pull-ups, muscle-ups or weightlifting? Maybe blisters, calluses or ripped skin have appeared after an intense workout session due to friction caused by pulling up against a pull-up bar, kettlebell or gymnastic rings, leading to frictional discomfort, which in turn causes training pain or may force early cessation of training sessions.
Gymnastic grips are here to help. These small but powerful workout equipment serve as a protective barrier between your hands and the equipment. Helping prevent blisters, reduce grip fatigue, and build grip strength. No matter whether it’s CrossFit, calisthenics, bodybuilding or functional fitness you practice, having the appropriate pair can allow you to train longer with greater results while protecting against injuries on your palms.
In this guide, we’ll explore what hand grips for fitness are and their essentiality, along with how to select an ideal grip type that meets your individual needs. If you want to take your workouts to the next level while safeguarding your hands, read on.

What Are Gymnastic Grips?

Gymnastic grips are hand protection gear designed to assist athletes in maintaining a safe grip while protecting against blisters, calluses and skin tears. Made from leather, synthetic fabric or carbon fibre materials, they typically feature finger holes and adjustable wrist straps to keep the grips secure over the palms of hands – as well as finger holes that help secure them during use.

Gymnastic grips are indispensable when exercising with pull-up bars, gymnastics rings, barbells or kettlebells. Their presence reduces hand fatigue, improves grip strength and minimizes friction to make long-term holding onto bars or weights much simpler. Gymnastic grips also offer protection from hand injuries during workouts such as pull-ups, muscle-ups, deadlifts, CrossFit WODs or callisthenics routines that require repeated hand contact with equipment, causing friction that could potentially result in painful hand injuries – gymnastic grips are designed specifically to minimize this friction to protect them allowing users to hold onto these items over longer.

Gymnastic grips act as protective shields for your hands, cushioning them from impact and helping ensure that they receive adequate support and comfort during workouts. Without grips, the skin takes all of the impacts, which could cause calluses, torn palms, and reduced training performance, however, it comes with increased grip support, greater comfort, decreased risk of injury and improved training performance. The ideal gymnastic grips can make an immense difference to any workout experience! Whether it be CrossFit athletes, gymnasts, weightlifters or fitness enthusiasts, having appropriate gymnastic grips can make a noticeable difference to their workout experience no matter if that means CrossFit athletes, gymnasts, weightlifters or fitness enthusiasts; having suitable gymnastic grips can transform how much they get out of their workout experience.

Key Benefits of Gymnastic Grips

1. Protects Your Hands from Pain & Injury

When grasping a bar, your skin inevitably comes into contact with it, potentially leading to calluses or blisters – and potentially even ripped skin! Gymnastic grips provide a layer between your hands and the bar, protecting against painful injuries caused by friction between them.
Tip: Grip can save your hands if they frequently get blisters or rough skin.

2. Helps You Hold on Tighter

Sweaty hands can make gripping difficult; gymnastic grips provide extra traction so that pull-ups, kettlebell swings or lifting heavy weights don’t slip during pull-ups, kettlebell swings or heavy lifting exercises.
Bonus: With better grip comes more reps and improved performance.

3. Reduces Hand Fatigue

Your hands often get tired before your muscles do. Gymnastic grips help spread the pressure across your hand, so you can train longer without discomfort.
Tip: If your hands give out before your arms do, it’s time to try gymnastic grips.

Types of Gymnastic Grips & How They Compare

There are four main types of gymnastic grips. Each one has different features.

Two-Finger Grips: Best for Pros

What they are: These grips only cover two fingers, leaving the rest of your hand free.
Great for: Experienced athletes who need more flexibility.
Best for: Gymnastics and CrossFit experts.
It’s not great for beginners since they don’t protect much.

Three-Finger Grips: Best for Most People

What they are: These grips cover three fingers, offering a bit more protection.
Great for: Both newbies and seasoned athletes.
Best for: Pull-ups, muscle-ups, and bar exercises.
Drawback: They are a little bulkier but still a good all-around choice.

Full-Hand Grips: Best for Maximum Protection

What they are: These grips cover your whole palm for full protection.
Great for: Heavy lifters or anyone who gets blisters often.
Best for: Weightlifting, CrossFit, and bar workouts.
Drawback: They can feel a bit restrictive at first, but they offer the best protection.

Fingerless Grips: Best for Quick Workouts

What they are: These grips don’t have finger holes so you can slip them on and off quickly.
Great for: Fast workouts where you change grips often.
Best for: CrossFit, kettlebells, and quick training sessions.
Drawback: They don’t protect as much as the other grips.

How to Choose the Right Gymnastics Grips: A Beginner’s Guide

Selecting the right gymnastics grips is essential for enhancing your performance and preventing injury during your workouts. The wrong pair can cause discomfort, slip off, or fail to protect your hands properly. Here’s a simple guide on what to consider when choosing the best gymnastic grips for your needs:

1. Material Matters

Gymnastics grips are made from various materials such as leather, synthetic fabric, and carbon fibre. Each type has unique benefits:

Leather grips are durable, mould to your hands over time, and provide a traditional feel. They’re perfect for those who prefer a longer-lasting and more supportive grip.
Synthetic fabric and carbon fibre grips are lighter, more flexible, and tend to have a quicker break-in period. They are ideal for those who want something softer and more adaptable to their hands right away.

2. Finger Holes vs. No Finger Holes

Grips come in both finger holes and no finger hole options. The choice depends on your comfort and performance needs:

Finger-hole grips offer more control, stability, and a secure fit, making them a good choice for more intense movements.
Hole-free grips provide full hand coverage and are easier to put on and take off. These are a great option for those who prefer less restriction on their fingers.

3. Wrist Strap Type

The wrist strap is essential for securing the grips in place during your workout. There are two main types:

Velcro straps are easy to adjust and quick to remove, making them convenient for those who need to take off their grips frequently.
Buckle straps provide a firmer, more secure hold but can be time-consuming to put on. If you prioritize a strong, lasting fit, buckle straps might be the right choice.

4. Grip Thickness

The thickness of the grip is another important factor:

Thinner grips provide a better bar feel and allow more tactile feedback, which is important for activities like gymnastics or callisthenics, where precision is key.
Thicker grips offer more palm protection, reducing the chances of blisters and hand fatigue. They are particularly beneficial for high-rep workouts such as pull-ups, muscle-ups, or kettlebell swings.

5. Size Matters

Wearing the correct size is crucial for comfort and performance. Most brands provide size charts to guide you in choosing the right pair. Here’s what to consider:

If the grips are too small, they won’t provide adequate coverage and protection.
If they’re too large, they might bunch up, causing discomfort and affecting your grip strength.

6. Type of Workout

Different workouts demand different types of grips. Whether you’re doing CrossFit, weightlifting, callisthenics, or gymnastics, you’ll want to select grips based on the specific demands of your routine:

For CrossFit or high-intensity training, a balance of durability, comfort, and hand protection is key.
If you’re training in gymnastics, consider specialized grips designed for the bars and rings, which offer maximum support and protection for your hands.

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