Should you use gloves in the gym?

Gloves are used by just about every profession on a daily basis. In the Military I had different gloves for specific tasks (shooting, fast roping, .50 barrel gloves, etc.). In my current job I use the standard Mechanix gloves, or latex depending on what I am doing at the time. Even when I do chores around the house I am wearing gloves. However, until recently I had never tried gloves in the gym. It may seem like a no-brainer for some, but I had just never considered it.

I decided to try the Rogue Mechanix Vented Gloves. Rogue’s website has a large selection of gloves to choose from. I opted for these because of the venting technology and the available reviews. The venting technology includes: palm ventilation with perforated synthetic leather and top ventilation with lightweight breathable mesh. There is no way around the fact that your hands will be hotter wearing gloves than not. That being said, there has never been a point where I was so uncomfortable that I wanted to take them off during a workout.

Why gloves? Depending on the kind of workouts you do, your time-under-tension will vary greatly. If I am doing low reps with heavy weights, I prefer a quick dusting of chalk. Conversely, if I am doing drop-sets, pyramids, or DPT (Dramatic Transformation Principle) I love using gloves. These sets can last a long time and the last thing you want to do is stop and apply chalk multiple times during the exercises. Additionally, as with all gloves, there is an added level of overall hand protection (blisters, pinches, etc.).

Gear Specifications

• Silicone Rogue logo on palm provides extra grip

• Velcro straps for adjustments

• Black/Red/Gray

• S,M,L,XL,XXL

• MSRP $27.95

Sizing

Rogue asks that you measure your middle finger to determine your glove size. Measure (palm side) from where your middle finger connects to your palm.

Small — 8cm

Medium — 8.5cm

Large — 9cm

Extra Large — 9.5cm

Double XL — 10cm

I measured in at just over 9cm (3 5/8 inches) and decided to go with the large. This ended up being the correct answer as the gloves fit perfectly. Rogue is very specific with their sizes, so take the time to measure now and you will prevent a return later.

If you have used traditional Mechanix gloves before, these will be notably thinner. You could use these to lift weights, crossfit, strongman, mud races, or a variety of other fitness activities. It took a little getting used to for me, but I am glad that I tried them out. There are still workouts where I won’t use gloves, but for the most part these guys go in my gym bag for daily use.

Although not as dramatic as lifting straps, gloves can help with lifts and keep your hands from getting chewed up. If you have never tried gloves in the gym before, I recommend giving it a try.  I wish I had tried them sooner. Aside from Rogue Fitness, you can also find gloves on bodybuilding.com, Amazon, or your local sporting goods store.