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Choosing grips guards and not sure which ones?

Have you been doing CrossFit for a while and starting to realize that you can't go on without palm protection?
Then you are in the right place and we will try to advise you today on which grips guards might be ideal for you and what to watch out for when choosing.
It’s important to mention at the beginning that learning to work with grips guards can also take a few training sessions, so we recommend not condemning them immediately and returning to the “old proven option” where you didn’t use them and had torn palms daily, because if we look at, for example, the CrossFit Games or most of the coaches at your gym, most of them will be using grips guards and will also gladly advise you on how to use each type.

There are two main types of grips guards: fingerless and with fingers. Previously, grips guards were used that had a hole for the fingers, but the current hit is precisely the fingerless grips guards, which are simple to use and very practical even for other exercises than just gymnastics.

  1. Fingerless grips guards (aka no hole grips).

    grips guards, which are produced by a whole range of brands - Picsil, Victory Grips, BearKomplex, Workout
    They are very practical, easy to use and you will get used to them relatively quickly.
    Definitely get advice on how to use grips guards and how to handle them before first use.
    grips guards work on the so-called hooking onto the bar, thanks to which you hold nicely on the bar and they take care of the grip for you

  2. grips guards with finger holes (three-finger or four-finger)

    grips guards, which are still available, but are not as trendy anymore. They are made by brands such as Victory Grips, Picsil, BearKomplex, and even WORKOUT.
    With grips guards, it is necessary to have the right size and do not be afraid to go for a size slightly larger.
    grips guards work on the principle of a so-called wave, which you hold onto the bar with and thus have double protection, as the grips guard is bent twice at the grip point. In this case, you need the bend to be larger so that you can comfortably hold onto the bar or rings and the “wave” is not too small.
    grips guards can also be used as fingerless by simply flipping the grips guard over the bar. However, we do not recommend this variant for fingered ones, as it significantly reduces the life of the grips guards.

TOP Fingerless grips Guards and WHY?

PICSIL RX

  • grips that hold well on the bar, perfectly protect your palms and are very affordable
  • relatively long-lasting
  • They are mainly intended for lighter athletes up to 85 kg, great for training and competition
  • Good for all exercises on the bar, on rings and even with kettlebells
  • magnesium helps when using them

PICSIL FALCON

  • grips that hold well, very well protect the palm
  • longer life of the grips guards, as they are thicker than RX grips
  • they are mainly intended for “heavier” athletes weighing over 85 kg, but will serve you perfectly even if you are lighter, great for training and competition
  • magnesium helps when using them
  • good for exercises on the bar, on the rings and for working with kettlebells

WORKOUT 2.0 - white

  • grips that hold well, protect the palm well and are made of pleasant material
  • the thickness of the grips is standard, thus they have a classic lifespan
  • these grips are very pleasant on the hands and are often chosen by women, although men also wear them. The same type of grips guards can be seen on many CrossFit Games athletes
  • with the use of magnesium, the grips are even better and hold well on the bar
  • they are good for exercises on the bar and on the rings, when working with kettlebells they are very good, especially thanks to the pleasant material

VELITES Quad Ultra Hand no chalk

  • special grips guards that hold well without magnesium and protect the palm well
  • it is a slightly thicker grips guard
  • grips guards are popular among both men and women, the specialty here is the fact that they are used without magnesium and you need a clean bar to fully utilize the grips guards, so we recommend completely cleaning the bar from magnesium before using them, so you can fully use them
  • they are great on the bar, and also serve well on the rings

Victory Grips TACTICAL

  • we already know well the grips guards from the brand Victory Grips, which have a great grip
  • the grips guards are not among the thickest, thus they protect the palms adequately, but with a large number of repetitions, slight “wear” of the palm may occur
  • they find use among lighter as well as heavier exercisers, due to their thickness they will probably last longer for those who are lighter
  • they can be used with or without magnesium
  • they are great on the bar, on the rings and also when working with kettlebells

BearKomplex Black Diamond

  • great grips guards from the brand BearKomplex, which was also an official brand of the CrossFit Games
  • the grips guards have a great grip and therefore hold really well
  • the thickness of the grips guards is not very large, so you can feel the bar better in your hand
  • more suitable for lighter exercisers, but will serve in both cases, the lifespan will again be somewhat smaller
  • with the use of magnesium, even better grip
  • they serve well both on the bar, on the rings, and also when working with kettlebells

TOP FINGERED grips GUARDS AND WHY

Most manufacturers produce the same types of grips guards in both fingered and fingerless variants, therefore you will find most grips in both options. We have therefore selected just a few specialties, which have the best feedback and here we highlight them:

Victory Grips TACTICAL (3-fingered)

  • these are grips guards that hold well and are among the top
  • the thickness is not very large, but it serves both heavier and lighter athletes
  • they have a better grip when using magnesium
  • great for exercises on the bar, rings, and working with kettlebells

Victory Grips X2

  • similar to the white WORKOUT 2.0 grips guards
  • previously, these were among the most popular, they hold well on the bar when using magnesium, protect the palm well, and are very comfortable
  • suitable for both heavier and lighter exercisers, we often saw them immediately on several CrossFit Games athletes
  • great on the bar, rings, and working with kettlebells

PRICE RANGE OF grips GUARDS

As for the price, it varies greatly among grips guards. We can find excellent grips guards ranging from 590,- to almost 2000,-
For us, it depends on how much you want to invest in grips guards and of course, how well they fit you.TOP 5

  1. Fingerless Picsil RX (price = 839,-)
    - best price/performance ratio
    - probably the best-selling grips guards
  2. WORKOUT 2.0 - white (price = 590,-)
    - a very high-quality grips guard at a very good price
    - perfect for anyone who wants to try their first grips guards, and does not want to spend extra money
    - we have tested them many times and can confirm that they are really great products
  3. Fingerless Picsil Falcon (price = 869,-)
    - great price/performance ratio
    - one of the most popular grips guards especially among heavier exercisers
    - long lifespan
  4. Victory Grips Tactical (price = 1625,-)
    - one of the most expensive grips guards, but they are made of very high-quality material that holds perfectly
    - people often choose them precisely because they have great experiences with them and do not mind a shorter lifespan
  5. BearKomplex Black Diamond (price = 1560,-)
    - again, these are more expensive grips guards, but they are also a very well-known brand and serve excellently

PERSONAL EXPERIENCES

Martin Pavliš - CrossFit L-2

I personally had the opportunity to try a whole range of grips guards. However, Picsil RX grips guards, which have a great grip, lasted relatively long and are not too expensive, suited me the most. Therefore, I did not mind when I had to change them approximately every half year.
It is important to say that there were hundreds of repetitions on the bar every week, so the grips guards really took a beating.
I believe they will serve practically everyone, just you need to know how to use grips guards. I have recommended them to dozens of people and almost all of them were very satisfied and stayed with them.

I was also very satisfied with the Victory Grips Tactical grips guards, which I used for almost a year and a half and all exercises were done great in them. The revolution came when fingerless grips guards started to become trendy and as for practicality, they definitely have the upper hand.

When using grips guards, you need to realize that their lifespan will largely depend on how you take care of them, how you leave them sweaty in a humid environment, and how many repetitions you do in them. Therefore, it is clear that they may last differently for everyone.

instagram.com/martinpavlis98

We believe this article has helped you in choosing.

We are happy to answer your questions via email, phone, social networks or we can advise you during a personal visit to our store.

Team WORKOUT