MG crew · Bodybuilding · The mirror and the pump.
Updated October 2026 · 5 min read
“My palms are tearing up on heavy sets. Do I need gym gloves, and what should I look for?”
I train with gloves on pressing and machine days, and I’ve trained without them for years, so I can tell you what they’re good for and what they’re not. Gloves protect your palms and support your wrist. They don’t make you stronger, and they’re not the right tool for every lift. Here’s how I choose a pair, and how I use the Might&Glory Heavy Duty gloves.
- Gloves protect your palms from bar knurling and calluses, and a built-in wrist wrap adds support on pressing days.
- Look for a leather palm with padding, a mesh back for the UAE heat and a fit that doesn’t bunch.
- Size by the circumference of your flat hand just under the knuckles.
- For your heaviest pulls, straps or grips hold the bar better than gloves do.
What gym gloves do and don’t do
- They protect your palms. A padded palm sits between your skin and the knurling, so you get fewer blisters, tears and calluses on high-volume days.
- They add comfort. On dumbbell, cable and machine work, a gloved hand stays comfortable through long sessions.
- Some add wrist support. A built-in wrap steadies your wrist on heavy presses.
- They don’t add strength. Gloves also add thickness between your hand and the bar, so you lose some bar feel. If grip is what’s holding you back, a strap or a grip is a better tool.
What I look for in a pair
1. Palm material and padding
A leather palm lasts longer than thin fabric and holds up to knurling. Padding should cushion the heel of the hand and the base of the fingers, where the bar presses hardest. Reinforced stitching matters, because that’s where gloves fail first.
2. Ventilation
In the UAE your hands sweat, even in an air-conditioned gym. A mesh back and vents between the fingers let heat and moisture out. Without them, gloves get slick and uncomfortable.
3. Wrist support
A built-in wrist wrap lets you close the glove around your wrist, so you only need one piece of kit for pressing. If you already use separate wraps, a simple glove without a wrap is fine.
4. Fit
A glove should fit like a second skin. Loose gloves bunch and rub, and tight ones restrict your hand. Fingerless gloves keep your fingertips free for a better feel on the bar.
Meet the Might&Glory Heavy Duty gloves
The Might&Glory Heavy Duty Gym Gloves are fingerless training gloves with a goat-skin leather palm and a built-in wrist wrap.
| Feature | Heavy Duty gloves |
|---|---|
| Palm | Goat-skin leather with ribbed padding |
| Back | Breathable mesh with vents |
| Cut | Fingerless |
| Wrist | Built-in wrist wrap |
| Stitching | Reinforced |
| Sizes | S, M, L, XL |
| Price | AED 80 |
What size should I order?
Measure around your flat hand just under the knuckles, not including your thumb. If you are between two sizes, take the larger one.
| Size | Hand circumference (cm) | Hand circumference (inches) |
|---|---|---|
| S | 16.5 to 19 | 6.5 to 7.5 |
| M | 19 to 20 | 7.5 to 7.9 |
| L | 20 to 22 | 7.9 to 8.6 |
| XL | 22 to 24 | 8.6 to 9.5 |
Which lifts are gloves good for?
- Good: heavy pressing and pulling, dumbbell work, cable work and machines, especially when you do a lot of reps.
- Use with care: deadlifts and heavy rows. The padding makes the bar feel thicker in your hand, so many lifters switch to straps or grips for the top sets.
- Skip them: when you want maximum bar feel, for example on warm-up deadlift sets when you’re building grip.
Gloves, straps, grips or wraps?
| What it does | Best for | |
|---|---|---|
| Gloves | Pad the palm and protect your skin | High-rep pressing, cables and machines |
| Straps | Lock your hand to the bar | Heavy pulls when your grip gives out first |
| Grips | A pad between hand and bar, quick on and off | Pull-ups and rows with more bar feel |
| Wrist wraps | Support your wrists | Heavy pressing and overhead lifts |
I explain how to choose between straps and grips in my straps vs grips guide.
Looking after your gloves
- Let them air-dry after a session. Don’t leave them in a hot car or a closed gym bag.
- Wipe sweat off the leather palm and keep them away from direct heat.
- Close the wrist wrap before storing them so the Velcro doesn’t catch other kit.
Four mistakes to avoid
1. Buying the wrong size. A loose glove bunches and rubs, and a tight one restricts your hand. Fix: measure around your flat hand under the knuckles.
2. Wearing gloves for everything. You lose bar feel on lifts where grip is the goal. Fix: use them for pressing and machines, and straps or grips for heavy pulls.
3. Skipping ventilation. Sweaty hands slip inside the glove. Fix: pick a mesh back and vents for UAE training.
4. Keeping wet gloves in your bag. They smell and the leather wears out faster. Fix: air-dry them after every session.
Hand protection and grip, in one place
Goat-skin leather palm, mesh vents and a built-in wrist wrap.
Shop now →Might&Glory Wrist Wraps · 45cm
45cm wraps if you want separate wrist support.
Shop now →Might&Glory Heavy Duty Lifting Straps
Heavy duty straps for your heaviest pulls.
Shop now →Might&Glory Lifting Grips
Lifting grips for rows and pull-ups with more bar feel.
Shop now →
Shop weightlifting accessories →
Express UAE delivery in 1 to 2 business days, cash on delivery and a 14-day exchange on unworn items. Free delivery over AED 350.
Questions people ask me
Do I need gloves for the gym?
No. Many lifters train without them. Gloves help if your palms blister or tear, or if you want extra comfort on high-rep pressing, cable and machine work.
Are gym gloves better than straps or grips?
They do different jobs. Gloves protect your palms. Straps and grips help you hold the bar when your grip gives out first, so they’re better for heavy pulls.
How should my gym gloves fit?
Snug, like a second skin, without restricting your hand. Measure around your flat hand just under the knuckles and use the size chart. Between sizes, take the larger one.
Are fingerless gloves better?
Many lifters prefer them because your fingertips stay free for a better feel on the bar, and your fingers stay cooler in the heat.
What are the Heavy Duty gloves made of?
A goat-skin leather palm with ribbed padding, a breathable mesh back with vents, reinforced stitching and a built-in wrist wrap.
Keep going
- Straps vs grips for back day: Abdulla’s guide
- Bella’s wraps guide
- Jabbar’s Heavy Duty tee review
- Everything for bodybuilding: the Bodybuilding hub
Abdulla is an illustrative MG crew character created for our brand. The coaching here is written by the MG Activewear team.
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