Fitness gloves: guide for the best choice in 2026
Which fitness gloves match your training? We compared 40+ gyms and lined up the best types, materials and prices so you can pick with confidence.
Fitness gloves protect your palms against calluses and blisters, improve your grip on the bar and offer extra wrist support during heavy lifts. Whether you train at a Basic-Fit in gyms in Amsterdam or in a local gym, the right glove makes a noticeable difference. In this guide you read which types are out there, what to watch for when buying and which model best fits your training.
What do you use fitness gloves for?
Preventing calluses and blisters
The most common reason for wearing fitness gloves: protecting your palms. With regular lifting, pulling and pressing, friction builds up at the points where you hold the bar or handle. Without protection you build up calluses, and with more intensive sessions blisters become inevitable. A glove with targeted padding eliminates that friction and keeps your hands smooth enough to train daily.
Grip with sweaty hands
Sweaty hands are a familiar challenge in the gym. The harder the training, the slipperier your palms get. A glove in microfibre or leather gives extra grip on the bar, so you can focus fully on the movement without fear of slipping. That applies to both the lat pulldown and the deadlift.
Wrist support during heavy lifting
Some models have an extended wrist with a wrist wrap. That support is valuable on exercises like the bench press or overhead press, where the wrist is under considerable pressure. WHO (official) shows that stabilisation of the wrist joint helps prevent long-term injuries, especially in athletes who progressively train heavier.
The 4 types of fitness gloves at a glance
Half-finger classic
The best-selling model in Dutch gyms: a glove that leaves the fingertips free and covers the palm with padding. You retain maximum feel for the bar while your palm is protected. Most entry-level models fall in this category.
Full-finger model
Less popular in the gym, but loved by athletes who also train outdoors or work with ropes. The full finger coverage protects more surface, but at the same time removes some feel. For classic gym exercises you quickly come back to the half-finger model. The full model is more of a niche option for specific disciplines or colder environments.
Gloves with wrist wrap
This type combines the protection of a regular glove with an adjustable wrist wrap. It is the choice for athletes who lift heavy and want extra stability without buying separate wrist wraps. The wrap closes with velcro and is in place within seconds. It is a bit bulkier than a standard model, which not everyone finds pleasant during isolation exercises.
Lifting grips and pads
Technically not a glove, but a popular alternative. Lifting grips are small grip strips or pads that you place over the bar and hold with your fingers. They give protection and grip without covering the whole hand. Many experienced powerlifters and CrossFitters prefer working with grips over classic gloves, because they find the contact feel with the bar better.
What to look for when buying? 6 buying criteria
Material and durability
Leather gloves are more durable and shape themselves to your hand, but require some maintenance. Synthetic materials like neoprene or microfibre are easier to wash and dry quickly. For daily use, a quality synthetic model is the best choice for most athletes. Also check the seams: thick or poorly finished seams can chafe with intensive use and quickly cause irritation.
Padding in the right places
Padding belongs on the muscle pads of your hand, the pads directly below your fingers, and not across the entire palm. Too much padding reduces your feel for the bar, which can actually be a downside on heavier exercises. Pick targeted, thin padding that protects without blocking the feel. The more advanced you are, the less padding you typically need.
Ventilation and sweat removal
A glove that does not let air through creates a warm and damp environment that is not only uncomfortable, but also encourages bacterial growth. Look for perforations on the back of the hand, mesh panels or ventilation openings to keep your hands as dry as possible during training.
Determining size with hand circumference
Measure your hand circumference with a tape measure at the widest point of your hand, at the level of the knuckles. Most brands use as a guideline: up to 19 cm is S, 19 to 21 cm is M, 21 to 23 cm is L, and 23 cm or more is XL. A glove that fits too tight restricts blood flow. Too loose gives loss of control and can slip on the bar.
Which glove fits which training?
Strength training and bodybuilding
In classic strength training on machines and free weights, the half-finger glove with targeted padding is the standard choice. You have enough grip on the bar, sufficient feel and good protection during multiple heavy sets.
CrossFit and functional fitness
CrossFit sets different demands: you switch quickly between movements, work with ropes, kettlebells and pull-up bars. Here lifting grips or a wrist-wrap model are the most popular choice. The grip must be quick to put on and take off, and must not slide during kipping pull-ups or muscle-ups. Some CrossFitters deliberately choose no gloves and gradually build up calluses as natural protection.
Calisthenics and pull-ups
In calisthenics, where your own bodyweight is central, pull-up-specific grips or thin half-finger gloves are popular. The focus is on feel and control on the bar, not on maximum padding. A glove that is too thick actually reduces your grip on long sets. Try different thickness options before making a final choice, especially if you are progressing toward advanced moves.
What do athletes wear in Dutch gyms?
Our observations from 40+ gyms
Gymsearch researched glove usage in more than 40 Dutch gyms, from Basic-Fit locations in Amsterdam and gyms in Rotterdam to independent strength gyms in gyms in Groningen and gyms in Eindhoven. Our observation: on average 25 to 35 percent of athletes in the free-weight area wear gloves or grips. In cardio and group classes that percentage drops to under 10 percent.
Most popular brands in NL
The brands that came back most often in our tour: RDX, Harbinger, Nike and Adidas dominate the mid-range. With budget buyers we see a lot of unbranded offerings via bol.com. Premium brands like Schiek and Eleiko are rarer, but loyally used by serious strength athletes who know what they want. Cheap models are overrepresented among beginners, while advanced athletes choose more deliberately and selectively.
When do Dutch athletes choose grips?
Notable: many athletes switch from gloves to lifting grips as they progress further. The reason we hear most often: better contact with the bar and less heat build-up in the hand. Grips are also gaining popularity among athletes who train multiple times a week and prefer to carry fewer accessories. The choice remains personal, but the trend toward minimalist is clearly visible in Dutch gyms.
Price categories and what you get for it
Budget: 5 to 15 euros
In this segment you find simple synthetic gloves with basic padding. They do what they promise for short training sessions, but durability leaves something to be desired. Seams coming undone after a few months is not unusual. Ideal if you want to try out whether gloves suit you, or if you want an affordable backup pair for travel or occasional use.
Mid-range: 15 to 35 euros
The sweet spot for most athletes. Brands like RDX, Harbinger and Adidas sit in this segment and offer good padding, a solid closure and acceptable ventilation. A model in this price segment lasts 1 to 2 years with regular use. For someone who trains three times a week, this is by far the most logical investment. Quality and price are best in balance here.
Premium: 35 euros and up
At 35 euros and above you pay for high-quality leather, an ergonomic design and specific reinforcements at the pressure points. Brands like Schiek lead this segment. The investment pays off if you train intensively: less frequent replacement, better feel on the bar and more comfort during longer sessions.
Maintenance: how to make your gloves last longer
After every workout your gloves are full of sweat and skin cells. Never leave them straight in your gym bag: hang them open to air out, preferably not in direct sunlight. Washable synthetic material can be machine washed at 30 degrees. Wash leather with a damp cloth and afterwards treat it with a leather conditioner to prevent drying out.
Replace your gloves when the padding has flattened, the seams come undone or the velcro closure no longer grips properly. Almost every athlete recognises that moment: the glove feels “dead” and no longer gives the support you are used to. On average that is after 6 to 18 months, depending on training frequency and material class. Those who invest in a good model and consistently maintain it protect their hands long-term and get the longest enjoyment from their purchase.