Leather Weightlifting Grip Pads

Grip pads sit between the bar and the palm without wrapping the whole hand, and that is exactly why a lot of experienced lifters prefer them to full gloves. You keep the direct feel of the bar and the honest feedback that comes with it, while losing the callus tearing that makes the following week's training unpleasant.

Cowhide is the correct material for the job because it grips a knurled bar rather than sliding across it, which is what synthetic fabric starts doing the moment your hands are damp and the set gets heavy. The pads are cut slim enough to fold into a pocket between exercises, and finger loops hold them in position through a working set without needing an additional wrist strap to keep them from shifting.

They suit deadlifts, barbell rows, pull-ups, kettlebell work, farmer's carries and any session where your hands give out before the target muscle does. Chalk can still be used alongside them if your gym allows it. Leather lasts considerably longer if you let the pads dry naturally after training rather than leaving them balled up in a bag.

• Cowhide leather construction
• Finger loop retention
• Slim, glove-free profile
• Sold as a pair