8 Best Workout Gloves 2022

Experts within the Good Housekeeping Institute have a long history of evaluating products within the fitness industry, including workout apparel, exercise equipment and related appliances, as well as fitness accessories used in gym settings. While editors and analysts did not expressly test each product on this list within our labs, we evaluated manufacturing details on each of the products selected to better understand their design effectiveness. Our picks are also among the top-selling options available online and maintain a minimum 4.5-star review status based on thousands of verified reviews from previous shoppers. Additional consideration was paid to product price ranges. Whether you’ve been lifting for years or are just now adjusting to blisters as a weightlifting newcomer, our picks for the best weightlifting gloves will supercharge your weightlifting efforts for ease and comfort.

In determining which pair of gloves are best for your workout needs, weigh your chosen pair against the following considerations before purchasing:

• Fit: The most common complaint that weightlifters have about using gloves is that they do not fit well, thus canceling out any chance of creating a better grip for the user. This is especially true for women, where unisex gloves may be simply too large, triggering chafing and a poor grip on weights overall. If gloves are too small, they’ll restrict your mobility and may equally impact your ability to grip weight safely. If fit is proving to be an issue for you, choose a pair of gloves that are manufactured in a size range that can ensure the fit isn’t too small or too tight across your knuckles, your palms, or the circumference of your wrist.
• Material: Depending on your specific routine, a more lightweight glove may not be the best choice. A majority of weightlifting gloves are made with spandex and similarly forgiving materials, which is entirely safe to use with dumbbells and most workout machines, and can easily be removed after a sweaty workout. However, if your routine is more strenuous and leans heavily into strength training over endurance routines, gloves made from bulkier materials like leather and neoprene can better protect your hands against the stress of lifting heavy weights.
• Construction: How are the gloves designed, and does the design offer the most protection and benefits for your chosen weights? If you’re deadlifting or strength training aggressively, you’ll need to select a full-fingered design that can provide more support, including options that reinforce a wrist binding. Backless gloves and fingerless designs are better for endurance lifting, pull-ups, and weight-related exercises like rowing.

It’s a highly debated topic among fitness experts, but for the most part, weightlifting gloves are seen by medical professionals as a solution only for those dealing with skin conditions that affect their hands. Anyone dealing with eczema, for example, should be careful to avoid exposing at-risk skin to further bacteria — which is a common concern with shared gym equipment that may not be sufficiently sanitized between uses. Gloves can be a necessary solution for anyone who finds their skin sensitive to highly-trafficked surfaces, keeping issues ranging from warts and hives to prophylactic allergies in mind.

Gloves may better support ligaments and muscles in your wrist, and may prevent some discomfort while boosting your grip if properly fitted — but you should remember that calluses are your skin’s natural reaction to weightlifting. Believe it or not, wearing gloves is barred by fitness authorities like the U.S. All-Around Weightlifting Association as those who lift weights are expected to work on their grip naturally over time. While calluses and blisters can be uncomfortable, you shouldn’t worry entirely if they occur; keep from picking them and your body should naturally resolve them over time. Gloves come in handy when related conditions (which you may discuss with a healthcare provider!) may trigger chronic calluses or blisters.

In his role as Health Editor, Zee Krstic works hand in hand with analysts in the Good Housekeeping Institute to highlight consumer-facing input from leading health experts; he interweaves doctors’ and healthcare providers’ expertise into shopping guides to better educate readers. He also independently reviews new products in the wellness and fitness space for Good Housekeeping, having done so previously for Martha Stewart Living and Cooking Light, where he first fostered a strong background in nutrition and holistic fitness.