Weighted Workout Gloves

Workout Glove Description

Although you may picture workout gloves to be similar to large boxing gloves, they are a totally different product. Weighted workout gloves are fairly thin gloves that pull on over your hands and strap around your wrist area. Small weights, often between one and two pounds each, are in the gloves.

The gloves leave your fingers free, allowing you to manipulate your hands. Some gloves allow you to adjust the weight amount, while others have the weights sewn into the gloves. Common weight amounts are between one and six pounds, with the weight distributed evenly between your two hands.

Features to look for in gloves include:

• Lightweight fabric
• Removable weights
• Strong construction
• Adjustable sizing

Amp Up Cardio Routines

Weighted workout gloves are not meant to be used in actual boxing, with a punching bag or in any type of contact sport. Instead, they are meant to increase the level of difficulty during cardio activities. Use weighted gloves when doing the following:

• Walking
• Jogging
• Running
• Step aerobics
• Dance aerobics
• Shadow boxing (non-contact)
• Kickboxing (during training exercises)
• Crosstraining

Gloves are often handier than carrying two pound weights during lunges or other toning exercises, allowing you to keep your balance more easily. You also will not worry about sweaty palms holding onto slippery weights.

Several popular fitness experts have recommended or developed weighted workout gloves for use in their workouts. Two of these, Turbo Jam and Yoga Burn Kit, include the weights with exercise DVDs and accessories.

Turbo Jam Sculpting Gloves

The popular exercise expert Chalene Johnson has added a set of sculpting gloves to her Turbo Jam series. The gloves are meant to be used with the Punch, Kick & Jam 50-minute workout video. They can also be worn when doing many of the other Turbo Jam DVDs.

If you order the entire Turbo Jam Maximum Results package, the gloves are included; otherwise, you can purchase them separately.

Yoga Burn Workout Kit

The Yoga Burn Workout Kit comes with a pair of non-slip gloves with 12 weights. Unlike many other gloves, which are used in combination with an aerobic kickboxing or other type of high energy cardio routine, these are meant to be used to increase the difficulty of a yoga workout.

Use the gloves while you watch yoga expert Rodney Lee instruct a partner on proper form and technique while wearing the weighted gloves.

Purchase Weighted Workout Gloves

You can buy weighted workout gloves from a number of retailers. If you have unusually small or large hands, it may be prudent to try several pairs on before you buy, at a sporting goods retailer or specialty store. Otherwise, consider trying some of the following gloves:

• Premium Weighted Glove Pair: These open palmed gloves allow the exerciser to adjust the weights in half pound increments.
• Everlast Weighted Glove: A crosstraining glove with open palms that are weighted to one pound in each hand; they are made with Neoprene lining to keep hands cool.
• Ironman 2-lb Aero Gloves: Finger slots and Velcro closure make these gloves able to fit most people’s hands.

Fitness First offers several varieties of weighted gloves. From a Neoprene set to a set with Lycra to flexmetal, the gloves all offer different features. Pick out the one that suits your needs best.

Toning, Not Strengthening

Weighted workout gloves are most frequently used for toning moves and cardio. Strength training, such as bodyweight exercises or weight lifting, still needs to be done if you want to increase muscle mass. Gloves will help increase endurance and tone your body, but will not make your muscles larger or bulkier. If that is your goal, speak to a fitness expert on starting a strength training program.