Callused hands? Protect yourself with the best workout gloves, according to fitness pros

CNN

25-04-2025

If you're looking to get a better handle on your fitness routine, workout gloves might be the answer. Unlike a typical running glove you'd wear to shield your hands from the elements, workout gloves protect your fingers and palms from abrasive fitness gear. 'Anything that involves friction between your hands and the bar is where they shine,' Kollins Ezekh, celebrity personal trainer and founder of Members Only Boxing & Fitness, said. 'I've noticed that for Olympic lifts or serious powerlifting, some people prefer going without them since they want to feel the bar directly, but for general strength training, gloves make a big difference.'
Below, you'll learn exactly what to look for in the ideal pair of workout gloves, which specific models are worth shopping for, and workout ideas that can benefit from a grippy pair of workout gloves.
Harbinger Men's Power Gloves 3.0
'People praise Harbinger for wrist support, comfort and good value for your dollar [since you'll get] good mileage on them,' Adam Shore, naturopathic doctor and health and fitness coach at Brodybuilding Fitness, said.
Harbinger Women's Power Gloves 3.0
He also thinks these gloves offer solid wrist support and durability, making them optimal for heavy lifts. 'To have a balanced profile of comfort, quality and cost-effectiveness, my clients have reported great value in Harbinger,' Shore said.
Bear KompleX 3 Hole Carbon Hand Grips
Less is more when it comes to CrossFit and workout gloves. This option made of durable synthetic carbon fiber offers you everything you need, grip and protection, and nothing extraneous. 'If you're into CrossFit or calisthenics, Bear KompleX 3-Hole Hand Grips are great for pull-ups and bar work since they protect the hands without covering them entirely,' Ezekh said.
RDX Weightlifting Gloves
For maximum comfort and protection during weightlifting, opt for Shore's padded pick. 'The padding stands out from other brands and provides the best overall value for the average gym-goer,' he said. EVA foam padding aside, they're complete with a handful of elements that'll make your hands happy mid-lift: pull-tabs to reveal your fingers on the fly, a hook-and-loop closure for customized support and a cotton towel fabric patch to wick away sweat.
Atercel Workout Gloves
Professional cyclists are on to something by wearing gloves during long rides. All that hanging over a bike's handlebars places undue stress on the delicate skin of your fingers, putting you at risk for calluses. Smooth the ride with these biker-friendly workout gloves, complete with padded foam cushioning, breathable air vents, a towel panel to wipe that sweat off your brow and nonslip silicone gel grips to keep you feeling secure on all types of terrain.Harbinger Men's Pro Wristwrap Gloves 3.0
'If I had to recommend a solid option, Harbinger Pro Wristwrap Gloves are a great pick if you need extra wrist stability, especially for pressing movements or heavier lifts,' Ezekh said. 'They're durable and give good protection.'
Harbinger Women's Pro Wristwrap Gloves 3.0
Not only do these expert-endorsed workout gloves grant you ample wrist support, but they provide four-way stretch to support joint mobility, along with a padded grip to keep you secure.Nike Men's Ultimate Fitness Gloves
Promote range of motion with these minimalist, fingerless workout gloves. 'For something more lightweight, I personally like Nike Ultimate Fitness Gloves because they're breathable and don't feel too bulky,' Ezekh said.
Nike Women's Ultimate Fitness Gloves
High-density foam offers padding without bulk on these women's gloves, while breathable mesh provides ventilation during heavy lifts.Bionic Men's Beastmode Full-Finger Workout Gloves
Despite their full coverage, these gloves are designed to promote range of motion so you can move with proper form. Unlike most brands, they're available in up to 3XL sizing to suit an even wider range of weightlifters.
Bionic Women's Beastmode Full-Finger Workout Gloves
For even more protection against abrasive equipment, go full 'beast mode' with Bionic Women's Beastmode Full-Finger Workout Gloves, which work to prevent calluses and blisters. You'll certainly appreciate their touchscreen compatibility, so you can keep them on while you track your stats (and personal records!) on your phone.
Trideer Padded Workout Gloves
Instead of slipping into the habit of bare-handed lifts, opt for these extra-grippy workout gloves that feature hexagonal silica gel pads for extra grip. Below their layer of traction, you'll experience lifter's bliss thanks to full-palm padding and a wrist strap for support. Breathable fabrics like microfiber and mesh at the back of the hand sweeten the deal for a cooler way to work out. Pull tabs at each finger make on and off a breeze.
Gymshark Legacy Lifting Gloves
'For those looking for a vegan-friendly option, some brands offer synthetic leather gloves that hold up just as well as traditional leather ones, and I think they're a great choice,' Ezekh said. Instead of paying a premium for genuine leather, save a couple bucks with these poly-blend faux leather workout gloves, offering ample stretch. Their Velcro closure allows for easy one-handed adjustment, while their padded palms and breathable mesh layers contribute to your comfort and overall enjoyment of upper body day.
Uqooqfa Weightlifting Gloves
If you're looking for the benefits of workout gloves without having to generate excess body heat, consider these highly minimalist grips made of flexible rubber that serve as a solid glove alternative. While they don't offer the wrist support of a traditional glove, you'll love the way these grips provide maximal traction without the excess fabric around your hand. When it comes to breathability and temperature regulation, this option is unmatched. Fit
Your workout gloves will only offer benefits if they're sized correctly. 'Given that your hands will become 'pumped' from gripping, as any muscular region would when working out, you want to make sure there's a bit of play between your hands and the material,' Shore said. 'This is simply to avoid completely restricting blood flow once your hands become pumped with blood.'
To find your ideal fit, measure the circumference and length of your hand, then cross-reference those dimensions with the sizing chart on the specific model's product page. Shore adds that the proper fit shouldn't be much larger than other gloves you would wear in other contexts. 'But they should be just [roomy] enough to account for the moderate expansion of your hands.'
Padding
Padding won't only help offset some of that friction, but it can help contribute to your overall comfort during a grueling workout. 'In my opinion, the best gloves have padded palms to ease pressure on my hands while lifting and a solid grip, especially if I'm doing heavier sets,' Ezekh said.
Grip
Get a grip on a heavy set with the helping hand of a workout glove. 'I personally like gloves with a rubberized or silicone grip because they keep the weights from slipping, even when my hands get sweaty,' Ezekh said.
Breathability
When you're working out, the last thing you need is a bulky layer to promote even more sweat production. 'Breathability is huge for me too,' Ezekh said. 'I can't stand gloves that feel too hot or make my hands sweat more than they need to. That's why I look for ones made with mesh or lightweight fabric to keep things cool.'
Adjustable straps
Your workout gloves don't only act as a barrier between your hands and the bar, but they can actually serve as crucial wrist support for added safety. 'Adjustable wrist straps are another key feature I always check for since they give extra wrist support, which helps during heavier lifts,' Ezekh said.
The following FAQs have been answered by personal trainer Kollins Ezekh and health and fitness coach Adam Shore.
What type of exercises are workout gloves best for?
What type of exercises are workout gloves best for?
Workout gloves fare best for movements with heavy pushing and pulling actions like weightlifting, pull-ups, pulldowns, kettlebell training and rowing, according to Ezekh. If your hands tend to produce sweat while you work out regardless of the movement, Shore notes they'll be beneficial any time you're gripping equipment.
Do workout gloves help prevent calluses?
Do workout gloves help prevent calluses?
Ill-fitting workout gloves might fold into the skin and contribute to calluses, according to Shore. Our experts agree that if they fit properly, your workout gloves may help reduce calluses but won't completely prevent them. That said, wearing gloves can help prevent blisters.
What is the best way to wash workout gloves?
What is the best way to wash workout gloves?
To remove bacteria and odors, Ezekh recommends hand washing your workout gloves in cold water with mild detergent or turn them inside out and soak them in water and vinegar. Then, Shore suggests letting them air dry since placing them in the dryer can shrink or damage the material.
For this article, we consulted the following experts to gain their professional insights.
Kollins Ezekh, celebrity trainer with clientele including Shay Mitchell and 'Aladdin's' Mena Massoud, and founder of Members Only Boxing and Fitness
Adam Shore, naturopathic doctor and health and fitness coach at Brodybuilding Fitness
CNN Underscored has a team of writers and editors who have many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products, and they ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when relevant to make certain we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item.
The writer of this story, contributing editor and writer Marissa Miller, has 15 years of experience testing and reporting on all things health and wellness, while also serving as a certified personal trainer from the American Council on Exercise with a specialization in orthopedic exercise. For this article, she spoke to two other personal trainers to gain their professional insights on how to select the best workout gloves.