MG crew · CrossFit & Functional
Updated October 2026 · 3 min read
“I tore my hands on pull-ups last week. Do I need grips?”
Maybe, but start with your hands. Most rips come from calluses catching on the bar during high-rep sets. Here’s how we look after our hands, and when grips, gloves and wrist wraps earn their place.
- Keep calluses filed flat so they can’t catch and tear.
- Chalk keeps your grip dry; grips add a pad between hand and bar on high-rep work.
- Gloves protect palms on kettlebells and sleds but take away bar feel.
- Wrist wraps for handstand push-ups, push press and the front rack.
Why hands tear
On a high-rep set your hands slide and twist on the bar. A thick callus catches, folds and tears. It’s rarely about strength; it’s about friction and calluses.
Hand care first
- File calluses flat once a week, so there’s nothing raised to catch.
- Chalk lightly to keep hands dry; too much builds up and grabs skin.
- Don’t over-grip on kipping or high-rep pull-ups; a hook grip that lets the bar rotate is easier on the skin.
- If you tear: clean it, cover it and give it time to heal before you go back to the bar.
Lifting grips
Grips put a rubber pad between your palm and the bar, so the pad takes the friction instead of your skin. Good for high-rep pull-ups, toes-to-bar and heavy pulls. They take a little getting used to on the rig.
Gloves
Leather-palm gloves protect the whole palm on kettlebell swings, sled pushes and farmer’s carries. On the rig they add bulk and take away feel, so most athletes prefer grips or bare hands there.
Wrist wraps
Your hands aren’t the only thing working on the rig. Wrist wraps support the wrist on handstand push-ups, push press, jerks and when you catch a clean in the front rack.
What we use, movement by movement
- High-rep pull-ups and toes-to-bar: grips or chalk.
- Kettlebell swings and carries: chalk, or gloves if your palms are sore.
- Handstand push-ups, push press, front rack: wrist wraps.
- Heavy deadlifts in a WOD: chalk, and straps on the heavy sets.
What we put in our bag
Pebbled rubber pad, slim wrist strap. Saves your palms on the rig.
Shop now →Might&Glory Heavy Duty Gym Gloves
Leather palm for kettlebells, sleds and carries.
Shop now →Might&Glory Wrist Wraps · 45cm
45cm, strong support. For overhead and front-rack work.
Shop now →Compression Sports Socks · Crew Length
Crew length. Saves your shins on rope climbs and box jumps.
Shop now →
Everything for your hands and wrists on the CrossFit & Functional hub. Free UAE delivery over AED 350.
Questions people ask us
Grips or chalk for pull-ups?
Chalk for most sessions. Grips for high-rep sets or when your hands are already sore.
Will grips weaken my grip?
Not if you use them for high-rep or heavy sets and train without them on lighter work.
Should I wear gloves for pull-ups?
Some people like them, but gloves add bulk on the bar. Most athletes prefer grips or bare hands on the rig.
Do I need wrist wraps for front squats and cleans?
Not always. Many athletes use them on heavy sets or when the front rack bothers their wrists.
I ripped my hand. When can I train again?
Keep it clean and covered, and wait until the skin has healed before going back to the bar. If it looks infected, see a doctor.
Keep going
- Shamil on knee sleeves vs knee wraps
- Layla’s women’s functional training guide
- Back day: Abdulla on straps vs grips
- Everything for functional training: the CrossFit & Functional hub
This guide is general training information, not medical advice. If you have an injury or ongoing pain, talk to a physiotherapist or doctor before training.
Shamil and Layla are illustrative MG crew characters created for our brand. The coaching here is written by the MG Activewear team.
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