Protect Your Hands While Weight Lifting

Next to back injury probably one of the most common injuries in weight lifting is injury to the hands. Even when lifting with perfect technique the hands take a lot of abuse when weightlifting and it is very ironic that where weightlifting has been shown to actually prevent or in some cases reverse arthritis in some joints like the elbows, knees and shoulders, it can cause arthritis in the hands. With over 50 bones in the hand, hand pain is certainly quite common among weightlifters.

But most hand pain that is the result of weightlifting can be avoided with the use of proper protective equipment like weightlifting gloves.  Weightlifting gloves are designed to prevent hand injuries and ensure a better grip on weightlifting gloves. Basic weightlifting gloves offer simple protection from blisters and calluses and give a surer grip on the bar. They are inexpensive, usually less then ten dollars, and probably made of leather with a stretch material like spandex for a sure fit around the wrist.

They do not differ that much form other sport or driving gloves. Moving up in quality (and price) are what are usually called “performance” gloves, that are like the basic or standard weightlifting gloves with the added feature of some type of additional support for the wrist. They may also have some padding in the palm for additional comfort. Then there are weightlifting gloves that have built in hooks or straps as an additional safety feature. Lifting straps prevent hand and wrist pain and also allow more reps and longer workouts. For serious lifters there are professional weightlifting gloves.

These are made for anyone who trains with heavy weights more than 5 days a week. They have adjustable wrist supports, padding, rubber cushions and reinforced no-slip areas in the palms. They will provide the maximum protection support and comfort for the more than casual lifter and sell in the 30.00 to 40.00 range.


 If you already have arthritis in the hands and wrists, there is a new series of gloves on the market specifically designed to improve the grip strength of people with hand arthritis and allow them to keep lifting. Made of neoprene rubber with thicker hand pads then in most performance gloves and specialized wrist supports, these gloves act like shock absorbers for the hands while weightlifting. These gloves are recommended by fitness trainers over standard weightlifting gloves for any lifter, not just those with arthritis.

The padding and support of these gloves allow a lifter to do more reps and work out longer because of increased grip strength and less hand pain.