Weighted Workout Gloves: Types and Uses

Did You Know?

According to the facts published by the President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition, less than 5% of American adults participate in 30 minutes of physical activity each day, and only one in three adults receive the recommended amount of physical activity each week. Moreover, only one in three children are physically active every day.

Fitness experts generally suggest the use of hand weights to increase the difficulty level of an exercise. For example, when doing lunge sets, a trainer would advice holding 2 lb. (0.9 kg) hand weights in each hand and gradually increase the amount of weight depending on your stamina.

However, the same workout can be done with weighted gloves lifting gloves to achieve similar results. The weight in the gloves is usually light, but they improvise the exercise moves during cardio exercises, which eventually leads to body toning. Their firm-fitting design provides ultimate comfort. Although the gloves don't help increase muscle mass, and cannot make your muscles larger, they can strengthen your arms.

Weighted gloves add resistance to a workout, while weightlifting gloves provide good grip and can wick away the sweat. One cannot replace the other. They are completely different from each other.

Uses of Weighted Gloves

They help increase the intensity of any cardio workout. An additional weight of about 1-3 pounds during cardio exercises can increase your heart rate by 5 to 10 bpm (beats per minute). This eventually results in more loss of calories.

They tone and strengthen your arms. The gloves help increase your power, speed, and agility.



During certain exercises, when you are not supposed to use your hands freely, the gloves help keep your hands in a static position.

They help improve strength and endurance.

They are good for step or dance aerobics, walking, hula-hooping, zumba (definitely better than the sticks), running, jogging, non-contact shadow boxing, cross-training, etc. You can put them on during training exercises of kickboxing.

By adding (or removing) weights, you can change the level of your workout. As the weights increase the intensity of your workout, you burn more calories. Thus, they help lose weight fast.

The back of your hand is the appropriate position for the weight in the glove. The gloves are so perfectly designed that the weight does not leave its position during jabs, hooks, or upper cuts.

To lose more calories, you can even wear the gloves when you do housework.

Holding weights in hands often leads to sweating. Moreover, they are likely to move around or slip from your hand. Weighted gloves eliminate all these possibilities. The weights don't move. Inserting or removing weights is also very easy because of the well-designed zipper pockets. They are much more comfortable than hand weights.

Materials like leather, neoprene, suede, etc. make them strong and durable. When you are not exercising with weights, you can remove the weights and use those pockets for personal storage.

They are ideal for both men and women. They come with adjustable wrist support.

Different Types

The fabric (lycra, leather, nylon, etc.) used for gloves may differ depending on the design and type of glove. Some have neoprene lining that helps keep hands cool. These are supposed to be the best weighted gloves. The gloves can cover your palms or leave them open (Palm-free gloves). Some are so designed that they leave your fingers open and free. Some come with weights sewn into them, while some come with removable weights. The weight-holding capacity (the size, too) may vary from product to product. Some have hook and loop closure for size adjustment while some have Velcro edges. They may cost $11 - $30. After removing the weights, you can use warm water and a mild detergent to clean the gloves.

Tips for Buying the Gloves

If you are thinking of buying these gloves, you should look for:

Strong, durable, but lightweight fabric.

An easy but enhanced grip, and a non slippery surface on the palms.

Removable weights, preferably 0.50-pound or 0.25-pound weights (not 1 or 2 pound-weights). Usually, the gloves can hold 1-6 pounds of weight.

Form-fitting and tightly-sewn seams.

Adjustable straps around wrists.

If you want your fingers to be free, then look for that particular type.



Avoid online shopping if you have exceptionally Fit Four weight lifting gloves small or large hands. You should try different pairs before buying. You can get the gloves at a sporting goods store.

Customer Reviews

Before buying gloves, don't forget to take a look at the customer reviews. Some customers have reported that while buying the gloves online, it can be confusing whether a 2 kg set of gloves means 1 kg each or 2 kg each. Some have reported that the gloves come with a 30-day refund offer, but as they start to fall apart after 3 months, you have no other option than buying another pair. So it is better to pay the extra and buy good-quality gloves.

Everlast, Beachbody, Altus, Harbinger, J-fit, GoFit, Gold's Gym, PowerMax, Power Systems, etc. are some of the popular brands of weighted gloves. Turbo Jam Kits and Gaiam Yoga Burn Workout Kits come with gloves (or if you want, you can buy them separately).

During any workout program, you should begin your workout with gloves after performing a 10 minute warm-up without putting the gloves on. Depending upon your age and fitness level, you may perform 20 to 60 minutes of cardio, three to five days a week. The intensity (moderate or vigorous) of the workout may vary from person to person. You should consult your trainer for proper use of weights in the gloves.