Top 5 Best Weight Lifting & Workout Gloves For Women: Review How To Protect Your Palms
If you haven’t heard of gym gloves before, you might have seen women in the gym using them and thought they are just for boxing. But there are many reasons why girls choose to wear gloves for all kinds of workouts.
Gloves can protect your wrists and palms from injury during bodyweight exercises, weightlifting and even whilst using cardiovascular machines.
The best part:
They also help to prevent skin from getting sore and drying out. Having suffered from dry skin, especially on my hands, I know how much the pain can get in the way of a good workout.
For this reason, gloves are a great way to stop dry skin and wrist or hand pain from getting in the way of your workout. They improve your grip, absorb sweat and make gym sessions more comfortable.
Top 5 Best Women’s Gym & Weightlifting Gloves Reviewed
1. Mava Sports Cross Training Gloves with Wrist Support
Our Verdict: Best Overall
The Mava Sports gloves are bestsellers and great for a whole range of exercises. They are the best women’s workout gloves for CrossFit because of their versatility. Made from leather, and with the option of enhanced silicone palms, the material is long lasting and reliable.
Leather is one of the best materials for workout gloves because it is extremely durable and, in addition, silicone is great for absorbing excess sweat.
With the silicone palm protector, you will be able to enhance your grip during chin ups and pull ups, even when you are sweating from a heavy workout. They also protect your palms from calluses.
The four-finger design keeps the gloves in place while supporting your fingers when using dumbbells and kettlebells, which can often tear the skin. The added protection can also be a big help if you are using a climbing rope or battle ropes.
Unlike a lot of other gloves, they have a breathable backless design which means you can keep them on for the entirety of your workout without overheating. You can move between different exercises during a CrossFit workout, barely noticing the gloves.
For weightlifting, these gloves also have an attached wrist wrap, which is essential for heavy weights, to prevent strains or sprains. Serious injuries to the wrists can bring your weight training to a total stop for several weeks, so it is important to consider a proper wrist support if you are lifting heavier weights.
The extra wide wrist support can be adjusted to your desired stiffness for more support or more flexibility.
They are easy to put on and adjust, with a Velcro strap, and come in a number of sizes, from X-small to X-large for both men and women. The sizing chart will help you to find the best match.
What’s more, these versatile workout gloves come in a variety of colours to match your gym attire!
Pros:
- Leather and silicone material
- Durable
- Optional silicone palm padding
- Integrated wrist wraps
- Breathable
- Variety of size options for men and women
- Variety of colours
- For beginners and advanced
Cons:
- Not machine washable
2. RIM Sports Gym Gloves
Our Verdict: Best for the Gym
These women’s gym gloves are a top-rated choice and the best for gym because you can use them with a range of different machines and weights.
They are lightweight so you won’t feel like your hands are overheating and you will be able to move between exercises efficiently without having to take them on and off.
In the gym, I like to move between lifting weights, rowing and cycling. These gloves are helpful for different kinds of machines and weights as they are flexible and allow for mobility whilst still protecting your skin from rubbing.
They also work as great training grips because of the no clip contact pads on the palm, which help you to hold on to heavy weights without sweat affecting your grip.
The thick and comfortable palm padding is great for lifting weights like dumbbells, and you can move from cardio exercise machines to weights without having to change gloves because of the breathable design.
They have a mesh back, which helps to keep you cool, and are made of 100% leather and spandex meaning they are both durable and flexible.
Further aiding flexibility, the gym gloves feature a diagonal Velcro strap, which makes them easy to take off and put on, whilst still feeling secure. It also allows you to bend your wrists and hands more easily without the gloves themselves moving too much.
Customers have found that the flexibility makes them a great fit for fitness classes like body pump.
Coming in a range of different sizes and colours, you’ll be able to find a version that suits you and fits well. Although the smaller option is a good fit for people with very small hands, who often struggle to find gloves that aren’t loose, some customers have found that the finger sockets can be tight until worn in.
They are hand washable, but some customers have also found that black dye can come off onto the hands when the gloves are wet.
Pros:
- Leather and spandex long lasting material
- Palm cushioning
- No slip padding
- Diagonal Velcro strap for flexibility
- Breathable mesh back
- Various size and colour options
Cons:
- Finger sockets can be tight
- Dye can run when the gloves are wet
3. Harbinger Women’s Flexfit Weightlifting Gloves
Our Verdict: Best for Weightlifting
Designed specifically for ladies, these are the best women’s weightlifting gloves because of the extra padding. They feature an adjustable wrist closure which offers support to the wrist. However, you might want to consider a wrist wrap for heavy weights.
The gloves are made from durable dry leather and nylon and are machine washable, which is definitely a bonus when weightlifting as your gloves will absorb a lot of sweat from your hands, just like your workout gym towel would.
As well as being machine washable, their antimicrobial material guards against odour and staining during your workout.
The extra support for weightlifting comes from the TechGel cushioned palms and thumbs which conform to the shape of your hand and relieve pressure from weights. This pressure reduction is also what helps to protect your skin against calluses. But some customers have found that the cushioning isn’t enough to make lifting heavy weights comfortable on the hands.
Having said that, Harbinger is a trusted brand in the weightlifting world and they make quality products designed specifically for weightlifting. The wrist closure is fastened with secure Velcro for a tight fit. There are also three size options but, for those with smaller hands, some have found that even the smallest size can leave gaps between the fingers.
Despite being designed for weightlifting, these gloves are not stiff like wrist wraps and provide the movability you need for a range of exercises.
They are lightweight and bend naturally thanks to the BiFlex layers integrated into the palm. Finally, they have a couple of colour options coming in purple or white.
Pros:
- Adjustable wrist closure
- Designed specifically for women
- Machine washable
- Odour and stain resistant
- Leather and nylon material
- Three size options
- Two colour options
- Trusted weightlifting brand
- TechGel padding to ease pressure from weightlifting
Cons:
- Some customers have found the small option to be too loose around the fingers
- Padding might not be enough for heavier weights
- Might not offer enough wrist support for heavier weights
4. Mimi Grip Power Pads Women Gym Gloves
Our Verdict: Best Grip
For those of you who are looking to do a lot of weight training with a bar or dumbbells, these are the best women’s gyms gloves for grip.
They feature rubberized pads and dots which provide traction when you are working with a bar, allowing you to focus on your form and not worry about losing your grip.
Designed especially for girls, they come in sizes from X-small to medium. However, you might be looking for more colour options, or something more neutral, as these gloves are only available in pink.
Some customers have also found that the sizing does not fit all, especially if you have larger hands.
In spite of this, the easy to adjust Velcro wrist strap provides support and a comfortable secure fit if you can get the right size for your hands. The gym gloves are made from leather and spandex material but are not machine washable.
This could be a problem as gloves can get hot and sweaty and, although they are made from breathable material, they might not be as airy as other options such as backless gloves or those made with mesh material.
The wrist closure, combined with the rubberized pads, provide a decent support for the wrists and palms, which is essential for weightlifting.
Because of the thickness of the padding, you might want to take them off for other exercises and, if so, they are easy to remove with the built-in finger tabs.
Pros:
- Leather and spandex durable material
- Rubberized pads and dots for grip
- Thick padding for support
- Made for women
- Secure fit
- Strong Velcro strap
- Warranty
- Easy to take off
Cons:
- Not machine washable
- Some customers have found that the Velcro strap wears out quickly
- Only comes in pink
- Sizes don’t fit all
5. Fit Four Weightlifting Gloves
Our Verdict: Best for Beginners
If you are not used to the feeling of a gym glove and are worried about overheating, this top-rated lightweight option is the best for beginners.
These gym gloves act as a callus guard to protect the most sensitive area of the palm, without covering the whole hand, keeping you cool.
They offer an improved grip when weightlifting, rope climbing or working out with kettlebells whilst not impeding your movability. The minimalist four finger design and hexagonal shaped silicone pads allow for maximum movability, so you can use them with all exercises and gym equipment.
If you would rather continue your workout without them after weightlifting, they are easy to take off meaning they you’re not wasting your gym time. Being the smallest option in this review, they also take up hardly any room in your gym bag.
They are made from long lasting materials, like leather and silicone, as well as moisture absorbing microfibre. The thin material means that you can still feel the weight whilst protecting your hands from damage.
Available in a range of different sizes for both men and women, from XS to XL, the gloves are a snug fit thanks to compression which keeps them tight to the hand. They also come in 4 colours, black, blue, green and pink to suit different styles.
Pros:
- Leather, silicone and microfiber material for durability
- Enhanced grip for weightlifting
- Easy to take off
- Suitable for multiple exercises
- Variety of colours and sizes
- Breathable
- Lightweight
- Compression fit for secure feel
- Flexible
Cons:
- Don’t protect the whole hand
- No wrist supports
How Do I Choose the Right Gloves for Me?
Each one of the options in this review offers the basic benefits of using gym gloves: protection for your skin and increased support for weightlifting and other workouts. The same way the right type of lifting straps offer several good reasons for using them, so does the right type of gloves.
But they also have individual strong points which might make one of them the best option for you. Keep in mind that these things are all made for your safety and protection - and by saying that, I also mean it will be best to also use a wrist wrap - in addition to their individual strong points.
If you are specifically looking for gloves that will support you during weightlifting, try something with extra padding like Harbinger Women’s Flexfit Weightlifting Gloves. Or if you are looking for more grip for bar weights try the Mimi Grip Power Pads for extra traction.
For those who are looking for an option which can cover a range of different exercises, including CrossFit, the Mava Women’s Training Gloves are the best all-round option. They are also great if you need extra wrist support.
Similarly, if you like to use a lot of different machines in the gym, the RIM Sports Gym Gloves are also a very versatile option.
A lightweight option is the Fit Four Weightlifting Gloves. These are perfect for beginners as you’ll barely notice the difference when you have them on.
What To Look For In A Good Pair
Material is a key feature to check when you are buying gloves. The most durable options are leather and all the gloves in this review are made with leather so you don’t have to worry about lack of durability.
Added wrist support is a bonus if you are planning on lifting heavy weights. However, some ladies have found that having wrist supports and gloves separate is more convenient for different exercises - so keep a pair of wrist wraps for CrossFit in your gym bag too.
The problem with this is that not all gloves are designed to be combined with a separate wrist support and there can be some overlap so, if you regularly use them together, you might want to get gloves with wrist support attached.
Obviously, your main goal is to protect your skin from calluses and blisters.
If you are particularly prone to dry skin or calluses, look for gloves with extra padding to keep your hands protected no matter how intense your workouts are.
Benefits Of Using Workout Gloves
There are a number of benefits associated with using workout gloves. As well as protecting your skin from blisters and calluses during exercise, workout gloves can shield your wrists and palms from strains and sprains.
With this protection, you will be able to lift more weight and maintain your form every rep. With better form and enhanced performance, you’ll see results more quickly.
Having dry and painful hands always puts me off going to the gym and makes my workouts a lot less enjoyable. For this reason, workout gloves are essential for keeping on track with your workouts and not letting pain get in the way of your progress.
By reducing hand and wrist soreness after working out, gloves help you to recover more quickly and get back in the gym. They are useful with a range of different machines and equipment routines such as punching bags, cardiovascular machines, to powerlifting.
Conclusion
All the options in this review have different strengths and offer a range of benefits, so you can pick the gloves that work best for your needs.
In my personal opinion, the best overall option is the Mava Women’s Weightlifting Gloves. They offer strong support with an integrated wrist wrap whilst still being breathable and flexible, meaning you can use them for a lot more than just weightlifting.
These gloves are more lightweight than options like the Harbinger Women’s Flexfit Weightlifting Gloves, but offer more support than thinner materials like the Fit Four Weightlifting Gloves, giving you the best of both types of glove.
Give the Mava Women’s Weightlifting Gloves, or any other option in this women’s workout glove review, a try and see what you think for yourself. Your hands will thank you!
Last Updated on July 14, 2020
