10 Best WOD & Gymnastic Grips: Reviewed, Rated & Compared

WOD & Gymnastic Grips Compared

What Are WOD Grips And Why Are They Useful?

Exercise grips can be used in all aspects of the workout process, including pull-ups, high bars, rope climbing, and more.

When exercising, whether in an intensive program like CrossFit and competitive gymnastics or a casual workout, you may find yourself stopping often to apply chalk to your hands because of the sweat that is accumulating on your skin. A quality pair of grips can help. 

WOD grips are useful because they protect your skin from sweat and friction. There are many variations of these grips, including full finger coverage vs strapping around the base of the fingers, palm coverage material, and even additional wrist support.

Wrist support can be a simple strap to keep tension on your palm or it can go a step further to support the tendons and joints. This helps to protect from injury, especially during the high intensity maneuvers of gymnastics.

Some WOD grips offer a finger dowel that produces a gap between your palm and the finger holes. This helps to prevent pinching and provides a gripping point for the crease in your fingers, which helps to keep the grips in place. 

Factors and Features to Consider When Buying Hand Grips

Material

The material that your hand grips are made out of is one of the most important factors to keep in mind. The thicker and more durable the material is, the longer the grips will last, but a good pair of gloves should also be made out of material that is comfortable to wear.

For both durability and comfort, leather is one of the best choices available. A good pair of leather hand grips will be both incredibly durable and comfortable during extended use.

Buckle Vs Velcro

The way the grips are secured into place comes down to your personal preference. Buckle grips are more secure and less likely to come undone during your routine, making them more popular among high level athletes. Velcro grips, however, are easier to adjust and more comfortable on the hands and wrists.

Size

Before you purchase a pair of hand grips, make sure you are buying the right size. To determine your hand size, take a ruler or tape measure and measure the length from your middle finger to the bottom of your palm.

Compare this measurement to the size charts that the company provides and choose the size that will fit you best.

Brand

Choosing the right brand may not be the first thing you think of, but it is an important factor to consider. The best brands are known for taking meticulous care in choosing the best materials and using the most effective manufacturing processes when making their hand grips.

Choosing to buy from a brand that is well-known and renowned increases your chances of finding the grips that will work best for you.

Customer Feedback

One of the best ways to learn more about gymnastic and WOD grips is to read reviews of customers who have used the grips already.

Customer reviews provide a unique window into just how good the grips really are, giving you valuable information that you may not have found in the product description alone. Before you purchase a pair of hand grips, make sure you read up on a few reviews.

Note: Icons made by Heydon, Freepik, Google from www.flaticon.com are licensed by CC BY 3.0

5 Best WOD Grips Reviewed

1. Bear KompleX Grips

These grips are specifically fashioned for Crossfit. They are made of leather and do not dig into your wrists as you work out. They come with a two finger option as well as a three finger option, so you can pick the one that works best for you and your grip. They also come in multiple sizes, ranging from Small to X-Large.

What makes the Bear KompleX Grips special is its durable triple stitching. You won't experience much wear and tear with these grips because of their heavy duty design. They can help protect  your hands and palms during pull-ups, chest to bar exercises, muscle ups, kettlebell swings, powerlifting, deadlifts, snatches, gymnastics, and more.

On top of this, Bear KompleX Grips has a motto printed on every grip it sells. “Get Better” will be what you see as you perform the last few reps of your set, so you'll be motivated throughout your entire workout. Bear KompleX is all about making you stronger, tougher, and faster, and that’s how their logo will help you “Get Better.”

2. Jerkfit WODies 2in1 WOD Grips

These grips by Jerkfit are handmade USA products designed by athletes for athletes. They are made of high quality, hypo-allergenic latex-free woven elastic and leather, and they absorb sweat and chalk for even better grip.

The WODies grips are designed specifically to provide a natural glide while using bars, so there isn’t any bunching or pinching while lifting or doing pull ups. They breathe very well and prevent your hands from becoming overheated or creating more sweat than your grips to handle.

One really cool feature of these grips is that they are washer and dryer safe, so you can throw them in the laundry after your workout. In addition to 2 color options, the WODies come in several sizing options. The sizes are 3”-3.5” (small), 3.5”-4” (medium), 4”-4.75” (large), and 4.75”-5” (extra-large). 

These sizes are very specific and unique to each person, so it is highly recommended that you measure your hands before ordering - don't make the mistake of guessing! Remember, size is determined by measuring from the base of the palm to the base of the middle finger.

3. ProFitness Leather Cross Training Grips

The ProFitness Leather Grips are designed specifically for cross training, which means they're an awesome pick for CrossFit. They're also extremely affordable, so if you're on a budget, these are definitely worth considering. 

These grips are sold with a lifetime warranty. Like other WOD grips, they protect your hands and palms from ripped skin, cuts, scrapes, and calluses. They prevents slippage from very heavy bar lifting thanks to the textured leather, and the convenient hook-and-loop straps make these more comfortable for lifting heavy weights.

They also help to keep a safe grip when doing exercises like high rep pull ups, ring dips, toes-to-bar, bar muscle ups, kettlebell swings, and more - all of which would otherwise be tough on the hands. 

Considering the low price, I'm pleansantly surprised that these come with a lifetime replacement warranty. My only complaint is the limited sizing options. Sometimes it's possible to find multiple sizes, but oftentimes, Large is the only size available. 

4. Nicholas Hill Leather Grips

If you're looking for WOD grips for CrossFit that offer decent wrist support, consider the leather grips by Nicholas Hill. They are made with 12” long straps that are 3” wide, providing incredible support from the wrist up.

The padding is thicker than most other grips on the market and it's clear that these are designed for durability. The grips are punched with more expensive circle holes rather than cheaper square holes specifically for the fingers, which allow for an entirely new level of comfort. 

They have double stitched 2.5” elastic thumb loops that can be adjusted and pulled into any position for the most comfortable grip. One thing I really love is that Nicholas Hill offers a 90-day trial for its grips, and if you aren’t satisfied, you can send them back for a full reimbursement with no questions asked.

5. Mava WOD Grips

The Mava WOD grip gloves have 4 colors to choose from, including black, blue, pink, and red. These extremely durable gloves are made with neoprene and are reinforced with split leather as well as a silicone layer.  That means whatever you're lifting will not move unless you open your palm deliberately.

I'm loving the materials used with these grips. The silicone layer adds extra grip and comfort while working out or CrossFitting, and the neoprene acts as an anti-sweat layer, keeping your hands dry and your grip strong.  

Something unique about these gloves is their oversized wrist straps. They offer the utmost stability for your wrists, which is an obvious benefit when handling massive weights. The sizing ranges from X-Small to X-Large, so you shouldn't have any trouble finding the right size. 

The price is right with these ones; similar to the ProFitness option, this is an awesome choice for anyone on a budget. Another perk from Mava is that if you aren’t satisfied with your gloves, you can send them back within 30 days for a full refund. 

5 Best Gymnastic Grips Reviewed

1. Reisport Men’s High Bar Grips

Moving on to gymnastics-specific grips, let's start with a highly-rated product that gymnasts everywhere have relied on: the Reisport Men's High Bar Grips.  

Reisport provides the most popular gymnastic grips in the world.  These Swiss-made grips are constructed with three finger holes and a small rubber dowel.  They have a hook and loop closure, and come in 6 sizes: xx-small (up to 6"), x-small (6-6.5"), small (6.5-7"), medium (7-7.5"), large (7.5-8"), and x-large (8" and up).

These come with a 30-day warranty, so if you're not happy with your purchase (this is very unlikely) just reach out to the manufacturer within the first month of owning them. 

Honestly, these are worth every penny. They provide support and grip for the most complex of gymnastics moves and are incredibly durable. They are used by the world’s top gymnasts, and that’s not just a coincidence.

2. Ginnasta USA Power Double Buckle

Ginnasta Gymnastic Grips are, as their title states, American made. They come in these specific sizes: 0 (5 3/8″ – 5 3/4″), 00 (5″ – 5 3/8″), 000 (4 5/8″ – 5″), 1 (5 3/4″ – 6 1/8″), 2 (6 1/8″ – 6 1/2″), 3 (6 1/2″ – 6 7/8″), and 4 (6 7/8″ – 7 1/4″). This wide range of sizing options means that anyone can wear theses grips comfortably.

They come in a narrow grip or a regular grip option, making them more suitable to your exact needs as a gymnast. The grips break in in approximately 30 minutes at least according to the manufacturer, and the leather will not stretch over time.  Depending on your preference, Ginnasta grips come with single or double buckle as well as Velcro.

What sets Ginnasta grips apart is their dowel stitching.  It is machine sewn, and the quality of the thread used is double the weight of industrial standards. All in all, these are quality grips that any gymnast can benefit from. 

3. Bailie Dowel Double Buckle Grips

Bailie grips only come with a double buckle closure, so if you're not a fan of this design, you'll have to go with another option.  They come in a range of sizes, including 00 (5″ – 5 1/2″), 0 (5 1/2 – 6″), 1 (6 – 6 1/2″), 2 (6 1/2 – 7 1/4″), and 3 (7 1/4″ – 7 3/4″).  

These grips are recommended for more experienced gymnasts, specifically those who have used dowel grips before. The grips themselves are virtually weightless (about 10 ounces), so they won't hinder your performance. 

They break in very easily, but be warned, the leather is not as durable for elite gymnasts.  Several customers have mentioned that their grips have lasted a few months before needing new ones because their caliber of gymnastics was too high for the grips to keep up with.

4. Gibson Athletic Double Buckle

The Gibson Athletic Grips are made of very high quality leather and secure at the wrist with a double buckle closure.  Gibson is an American made brand, so this is another great choice if you want to represent the USA.

Be aware that these gloves are only made for hands measuring up to 6.75”-7.25”. There are smaller options as well, but you won't find a size larger than 7.25". That means if you have larger hands, you might have to consider grips that come with XL or XXL sizing options.

One thing I love about these is that they are incredibly easy to break in, and they’re designed for girls who prefer to have a narrow grip over the palm.  They are great for females just starting to use grips as well, and they can help you to venture into more advanced gymnastics. 

While they are typically purchased with a double buckle, they are conveniently available with a single buckle or in Velcro. For this reason, these are preferred by many young, aspiring gymnasts. All in all, the Gibson Athletic Bar Grips are highly respected as starter and rookie gymnastic grips for training female gymnasts.

5. Reisport Ladies Hook and Loop

Reisport offers not only one of the best gymnastics grips for men, but for women as well. These Grips are manufactured in Switzerland and use top quality leather. They come in 6 different sizes, from XX-small to X-large.

The construction is very similar to the men's grips, with two finger holes and a small rubber dowel that is sewn and glued to the grip. The palm area of the grip is 2 inches wide, which might be too large if you have extremely small hands. Otherwise, the range of sizing options means that most people can comfortably wear these. 

Not only are these some of the highest quality grips to make the list, but they're also some of the most expensive. Keep that in mind if you're on a budget, but if you're not, then any gymnast can benefit from the buying grips from this reputable brand. 

Comparing Hand Grips For Different Fitness Regimens

WOD Grips for Crossfit

CrossFit handgrips are important for any aspect of your CrossFit routine.

During the intensive aspects of this workout, you are likely to feel discomfort in your hands and wrists due to the friction and strain on the palms from the lifting, pulling, and sweating.

CrossFit grips are a great solution to this problem because they provide palm protection from the rough bar and rope that your hands are exposed to. As our skin sweats, it becomes susceptible to abrasions and other issues like blisters, calluses and cuts. WOD gloves can help.

WOD handgrips provide a good level of protection to the palms for the intense demands of CrossFit. The WODies 2-in-1 grip is a great option if you want more wrist support than the standard handgrips provide. WODies grips offer full palm protection for those highly intensive activities when you need that extra hand coverage.

Using gymnastic grips for CrossFit is a possibility because there is overlap in the demands of these workouts, but there are some differences that are worth pointing out. CrossFit often doesn’t require as much wrist support, so purchasing a more expensive grip with lots of wrist support won't do much for your CrossFit exercises. 

Gymnastics Grips

Gymnastics generally involves situations where grip can affect the likelihood of undergoing a serious injury, so having a strong grip is a necessity. Gymnastics grips are similar to CrossFit grips, but there are a few key differences.

There is a larger selection of gymnastics handgrips to choose from, ranging from beginner gymnastics grips to simple handgrips to high bar grips. Each has its own application in gymnastics training.

A lot of gymnasts use chalk, but chalk isn't always enough to ensure a firm grip. If you can think back to the last time you watched a professional gymnast, chances are, you saw some sort of grip on their hands, and there are 2 big reasons for this. 

The first is that it protects their hands from blisters and skin damage from the rough gym equipment. The other is that the leather that the gymnastics handgrips are generally made out of help the gymnast maintain contact with the bars or equipment that they are using, despite any sweat that is on the palms.

Gymnastics grips for beginners are often simple palm grips with a wrist closure to keep it from falling off. When shopping for the best grips available, stay weary of cheap gymnastic grips; these will use a less than acceptable quality of material that won't last very long. This material will also become stiff and not function properly for the range of motion required in gymnastics.

When performing a lot of swinging routines or similar types of maneuvers, you may find that the best thing for you are gymnastics bar grips. These will give you that extra bit of confidence you need to complete the routine without worrying about your grip. 

Weight Lifting Grips

Weight training is an essential part of personal fitness, so ensuring you have the right equipment to successfully complete that training is important.

Weight lifting grips help ensure a good grip on the bar, which will aid in safe lifting during any lifting session. An unsure grip while lifting weights can cause injury to muscles from improper technique while trying to maintain contact with the bar. It can even lead to crushed bones and torn muscles from prematurely dropping the weights.

Lifting bars are rough and textured to allow for a better grip, but this also causes people who lift often to have rough and callused hands. Although not necessarily a bad thing, calluses can make the skin rough and more prone to cracking. Simply using weight lifting handgrips can save the palms of your hands.

Grips for lifting weights often offer full hand protection, and that is something you definitely want to look for. They will provide your palms some much-needed relief from the stress of holding the bar. Wrist wraps for lifting are an added bonus to lifting grips and are sometimes found combined with the handgrips.

Different weight lifting grips feature special materials or wrist support systems, but the best weight lifting grips are ones that fit your hand comfortably and maintain their shape and flexibility during the session. If weight-training grips aren’t your preference, you can go with weight lifting grip gloves. Gloves offer added protection and grip, but they are not as breathable and may not be as durable over time. 

Gym/Fitness/Workout Grips

General workouts and physical fitness can benefit from a set of quality workout grips. WOD grips provide support in the weaker parts of our hands and prevent strains in the tendons of our thumbs and fingers. 

Until the muscles are developed in your hands, you will often feel strain and discomfort, even after casual weight training. Using handgrips will allow you to workout for longer without feeling that strain during and after the exercises.

Textured hand grips provide an excellent addition to your workout equipment that will offer support to the weak parts of your hands, allowing for more reps with less pain.

Pull-Up Grips

From blisters and calluses to cuts and tears, anything is possible for skin damage from a pull-up.

There are a few solutions including chalk, tape, and gloves, but the simplest and most proven solution is a pull-up handgrip. Pull-up grips add a tough surface between your skin and the bar that provides the added friction necessary to relieve stress from your hands. 

Handgrips for pull-ups are necessary to achieve a consistent workout routine. Without them, you would spend more time nursing hand injuries than you would strengthening the muscles that you're trying to target. The best pull-up grips are simple and lightweight. Pull-ups don’t require a bulky brace or wrist support; all you need is a surface to protect your palms. 

Taping the bar might help, but tape degrades with time while a handgrip will remain useful and intact for many workout routines. Pull-up gloves are also an option, but they do not breathe as well and react to chalk differently, so you may have to give up chalk depending on the gloves you're using.

People Also Ask (FAQs)

What is the best brand of gymnastics grips?

Because grips are an essential part of gymnastics, gymnasts are generally very picky about the grips they use - and they should be! There are a ton of different brands and products to choose from, but most gymnasts recommend Reisport, Gibson, and Bailie. 

Which grips are best for CrossFit?

CrossFit grips are great for keeping your palms protected. Although some CrossFitters prefer additional wrist support, others avoid grips that extend down the wrists because these can inhibit movement and flexibility. For that reason, I'd say that the Bear KompleX Grips are best for CrossFit.

Where can I find the best WOD grips for a decent price?

Although it's possible to purchase WOD grips directly from a manufacturer's website, buying on Amazon is usually the better option. You'll find the best prices and the biggest selection on Amazon, and you can usually get your grips delivered within 1-3 days. 

Conclusion

Hand grips are a crucial piece of equipment for any serious athlete to own. They allow you to always maintain a good, solid grip on whatever equipment you may be using.Whether you are participating in gymnastics, weightlifting, CrossFit, or general exercising, owning a good pair of hand grips is almost a necessity. 

As important as it is to own a good pair of hand grips though, there are certain factors to consider before you buy. By following the instructions in this guide, considering what you will be using your grips for, and researching the hand grips that have been recommended, you can easily find a great pair of hand grips.