Grip Gloves

SToast started this discussion · 4/22/2015

I've been thinking of getting some grip gloves for pole. I have carpal tunnel and arthritis in my hands (from years of dog grooming) so sometimes maintaining my grip is hard. I've told myself that getting gloves is cheating but now I'm thinking I'm just being too hard on myself. Anyone have gloves they use and a brand they really like? I do hand strength exercises (thank you SV lessons) but I'm getting frustrated with my limitations on tricks. My hands are always the weak point. I have a 50mm pole and went with the larger diameter because the smaller ones actually made the pain worse. Any suggestions on gloves or anything else to help would be greatly appreciated.

13 replies

Serzi · 4/22/2015
I'm interested in seeing the responses to this because I've also been considering getting some pole gloves. Hand-grip just ain't what it used to be and, although I wouldn't intend on using them all the time, it may be beneficial for trying new moves or to take some of the strain off during my workouts. The first shoulder-mount I got was with the aid of a friend's gloves, but that's the extent of my use with them. If anyone could give a review on what glove brands they've used and how to properly size them when ordering online I would greatly appreciate it. Any other info too! :)
AllysonKendal · 4/22/2015
I got mighty grip gloves in a size medium, I Used a friends Smalls but they were hard to get on and off and hurt a but between my fingers. I don't have large hands, I'm tall and have longish fingers but I'm usually a size small latex glove at work. I do like them because I too got my first shouldermounts with them. Then I got the muscle memory to do them without gloves.
Phoenix Hunter · 4/22/2015
I love my mighty grip gloves. period. dont always have to use them but when I do need them they are a miracle. buy them directly from mighty grip because they have excellent customer service. if they break or are the wrong size they are very generous about replacing them. measure your hands according to the guide on the website. non-tack gloves are great for static pole and you can even do spins in them , althought spins puts much more wear and tear on them. the tack gloves are good for spin pole. the tack gloves do not slip on the pole AT ALL. so this can be terrible on a static pole where you may want to slide your hands into position. I own both pairs. I have had to replace my non tack gloves a couple of times. I wore them alot and they ended up ripping at the seams. my new non tack gloves are much sturdier. I believe they are the Pro-grip non tack gloves. much more durable I think. my tack gloves are holding up well and I have had them for over a year. why suffer if you dont have to? get the gloves and try it. I wear them because of hyperhidrosis that sometimes cant be controlled even with prescription antiperspirants on my hands. it is not cheating and it will allow you to pole for much longer. I found that wearing them makes me extra sore because I am able to pole longer and develop my strength. it helps to wear your dry hands or mighty grip or whatever underneath the gloves so your gloves dont get too sweaty while poling.
Legs4Days · 4/23/2015
Love mine with tack strips from MG. Joel and everyone there is awesome!!
Might Grip · 4/24/2015
Hi Legs4days, thank you very much for your kind words. Much appreciated. Mighty Grip gloves are a training aid and protective covering the hands to help prevent calluses and also to help build upper body strength. We will always exchange gloves (at our expense) gloves that do not fit correctly. It is difficult to purchase over the Internet such items as gloves so we offer this exchange service.
Wcox · 4/24/2015
I have MG gloves. I found them helpful when I was having a really slippery day.I don't use them often but sometimes u like to use them when I'm learning a new move until I have gained some muscle memory. I thought they were quite inexpensive and keep them with me anytime I pole just in case I want to try something with them on :)
Mike Burns · 4/26/2015
Phoenix Hunter, I didn't know that about Mighty Grip replacing gloves that break. I threw away a dozen or more sets that fell apart in under a year. I though that was just par for the course. Typically, the end of life cycle was to use them for a week or so with giant gaping holes just to get a little more use out of them. I've tried 25+ alternatives for reducing the insane amount of sweat that I get on my hands wile poling (or just typing this response). You name it, I've tried it (and just about every possible combination). With Mighty Grip gloves, I usually buy several pairs at a time because I go through them so quickly (having had numerous pairs last less than a week). All that to say, Mighty Grip gloves truly are the greatest solution I have ever tried. They form a physical barrier between my sweaty fingers and the pole (which is kinda gross when they finally come off) and I gladly spend money on this brand of grip gloves. Without them I might as well use baby oil as a grip aid for all the success I've had with other "solutions". With them, I feel like a tree frog!
Phoenix Hunter · 4/26/2015
Mike, I'm not sure of the policy of replacing gloves but if they rip right away they have replaced them. I'm not sure if that applies for normal wear and tear. yes, mine have all eventually torn and I still used them with tears too. hahahaha! I feel that the gloves are cheap about $19 and it that lasts a few months then that's not a bad deal. dry hands,etc can end costing more than that. yes, so I'm not sure if they will replace gloves that have some mileage on them. dont want to mislead you but I've had mine replaced because I had a pair that tore on their second use.(that is not normal) and their new pro-skin gloves are alot sturdier I think. :)
Phoenix Hunter · 4/26/2015
and yes, they have been the best solution for my hands too, which sweat while I'm typing too! I've tried all the products known to mankind and every combination of them. tite grip followed by dry hands is somewhat helpful. I must start applying the tite grip and hour before poling, then every 30 mins. then dry hands while I pole. Prescription Drysol is wonderful but you have to apply it at night. the gloves have been my easiest solution too. and no, my sweaty hands have not gotten better with time and strength. people kept telling me that but it is complete bullshit for me. maybe not for others, but if you sweat like I do it is not a strength issue, it is hyperhidrosis and it does not go away. for some people the sweating does get better.
Mike Burns · 4/26/2015
Phoenix Hunter, I have certainly had the experience of gloves falling apart on the first day of use. They're such a treat to use that I guess I didn't even mind paying the $20/pair for new ones. I find that they will last a month or so of three or four 1-hour long classes/practice sessions per week at an intermediate level (shoulder mount, caterpillar climb, iron-X, handsprings, brackets, etc.). I just went to MightyGrip's website and saw those Pro-Fit gloves come in both varieties (with and without tack). I didn't even know they existed until today. Got a pair on their way to me now! I usually get the kind with tack, even though it makes spins on static impossible. I tend to focus on moves that display more strength and less movement. I had great success with the full finger gloves as a physical water barrier between my fingertips and the pole but I do prefer fingerless because I can still FEEL the pole. I still don't have any "perfect" solution for sweat that will drip from my fingertips but beeswax-based products give the right effect. Obviously, they require a lot more time cleaning off the pole afterwards so I try to avoid it unless I'm really having a bad day.
Mike Burns · 6/13/2015
I LOVE the new gloves! I've got about 20 hours of abuse on them now and they're holding up like a champ.
Might Grip · 6/13/2015
Great. Yes, the Pro Gloves are a step up but I believe the extra few dollars are well worth the life extension of the gloves. Also, have more protection for those in need. Thank you very much for your feed back, it is greatly appreciate. Joel
Phoenix Hunter · 6/13/2015
Yay!!! I really like the pro gloves too Mike :) they are more durable I beleive.