Best Gymnastics Grips In 2023 [8 That Will Not Limit Your Movement]
When doing gymnastics, it's important to have all of the right equipment and safety gear. Mats are important, but so is what you wear. Gymnastics grips can protect your palms without interfering with the movement of your hands.
I looked at some of the best gymnastics grips and found some that are a great buy in the market today.
Contents
Best Gymnastics Grips Comparison Chart
I have also tabulated a comparison chart below for you to quickly see how these grips compare.
| Product | Features | F2Bmom Ratings |
|---|---|---|
 Bear KompleX 3 hole hand grips and gymnastics grips | Primary Use: Gymnastics Material: Leather Type:Curved Sizes (from base of middle finger to palm): 3.75 inches - 5 inches S, M, L | 4.7/5.0 More Details |
 Reisport Ladies Uneven Bar Grips | Primary Use: Uneven Bars Material: Leather Type:Straight Sizes (from base of middle finger to palm): 5.5 inches - 7.25 inches XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL | 4.9/5.0 More Details |
 Gibson Athletic Double Buckle Just Right Uneven Bar Grips | Primary Use: Uneven Bars Material: Leather Type:Skinny Sizes (from base of middle finger to palm): 5.25 inches - 7.5 inches XS, S, M, L | 4.4/5.0 More Details |
 WODFitters Textured Leather Hand Grips | Primary Use: Cross Training Material: Leather Type:Straight Sizes (from base of middle finger to palm): 4 inches - > 4.75 inches XS, M, L | 4.6/5.0 More Details |
 Nastia Liukin Beginner Hook & Loop Grips | Primary Use: Beginner Gymnast Material: Soft Leather Type:Curved Sizes (from base of middle finger to palm): XS, S, M, L | 4.3/5.0 More Details |
 Bailie Buckle Grips | Primary Use: Uneven Bars Material: Leather Type:Curved Sizes (from base of middle finger to palm): 00,0&3 | 4.7/5.0 More Details |
 Nastia Liukin Russian Heritage Double Buckle Grips | Primary Use: Uneven Bars Material: Leather Type:Straight Sizes (from base of middle finger to palm): 00,1,2&3 | 4.6/5.0 More Details |
 Beginner Soft Hook and Loop Gymnastics Grips | Primary Use: Children's Gymnastics Material: Leather Type:Curved Sizes (from base of middle finger to palm): 2.625 inches - 3.75 inches | 4.7/5.0 More Details |
Top 8 gymnastics grips [detailed Reviews]
1. Bear KompleX 3 Gymnastics Grips
I ranked this as the number 1 for beginner gymnasts because of the comfort and utility of these gymnastics grips. The three hole design ensures that they won't slip. The wrist strap with support doesn't dig into your wrist. They are great for parallel bars.
Another key aspect of these gloves is the craftsmanship. Made with superior quality leather, the stitching and design are excellent. The triple stitching ensures that these gymnastics grips won't rip.
While they aren't available in the smallest sizes, these grips are useful for most gymnasts. For palm sizes under 3 inches, consider getting the Venus grips instead. Then, you can get the Bear KompleX when your child gets older.
The small size of these grips are fine for palm sizes under the recommended 3.75 inches, but less than 3 inches is a little iffy. Grips that are slightly larger than you need isn't much of a problem, and can even make them more useful because they give you a larger surface to work with.
These are leather grips so you have to break them in a little before they reach peak performance. As soon as you break them in, you'll feel the comfort that made these our top performers.
2. Reisport Ladies Grips with Dowels - Best gymnastics Grips For Bars
I liked the Reisport gymnastics hand grips for bars because of the sewn in dowel that added to the grip and performance. The hook and loop closure provides a comfortable fit as well.
If you're a female gymnast and you're tired of getting rips in your palms or you don't want callouses, consider these model.
Some gymnasts felt that they had problems with the dowel when doing skills like kips that require forward motion of the wrist. However, with proper chalking, this can be avoided.
The sizes will fit most girls and women. Even though the smallest listed size is 5.5 inches, it's ok to buy gloves that are a little big. Sometimes that's the better option.
Like the Bear KompleX, these gymnastics grips are well made and durable. I had no problems with tearing or broken seams. The wrist strap is comfortable and doesn't dig in. The dowel is a positive and a negative.
Not everyone is comfortable with a dowel and it can make it difficult for other types of exercise. However, these gymnastics grips are specialized for uneven bars and best kept for that skill.
3. Gibson Athletic Double Buckle Uneven Bar Grips
Another brand that is popular is the Gibson Athletic. These two hole leather grips aren't as popular as the Reisport, but they are worth trying.
While the Reisport gymnastics grips are made in Switzerland, these gymnastics grips are made in the USA.
The double buckle closure is tricky to put on by yourself, but once the grips are on, there's no slipping. While Velcro might be tempting, buckles are more secure.
Like most leather products, these gymnastics grips require some breaking in. Once they're broken in, they are very flexible and comfortable. The wrist straps won't dig into your wrists and the holes are well placed. As with most models, some adjustment is required to get the right fit. That includes increasing the size of the finger holes to fit your fingers as needed.
Because of the dowel, they are primarily useful for uneven bars. There was no ripping and the seams are well sewn. Once they are adjusted to be the right size and are broken in, they feel great. They're soft and strong at the same time. Expect to experience an excellent grip with these model.
4. WODFitters Textured Leather Grips
These were the best low price option I have found. They don't have a dowel so they can be used for a wide variety of exercises and skills. That makes them good grips for overall gymnastics use.
If you don't like having to adjust the size of the finger holes in your hand grips, these are a good option. If you're looking for a perfect fit, look elsewhere. The finger holes are large rectangles. That means they fit all sizes of fingers, but they don't fit snugly.
While they are on the cheap side, these gymnastics grips are made of leather. They're designed to reduce slipping, but they aren't too rough. They reduce friction as you go through your routine.
They are designed to be used for a variety of exercises like cross training, kettlebells, powerlifting, and chin ups as well as gymnastics. They're so versatile because they don't have a dowel. Gymnastics grips that comes with a dowel are often preferred for use on uneven bars.
One issue is that the wrist strap can dig into your wrist. Still, it's better that going without hand grips and if you're on a tight budget, these will work for you. I selected them because of the quality to price ratio.
5. Nastia Liukin Beginner Hook & Loop Gymnastics Grips
The Nastia Liukin beginner hook & loop gymnastics grips is a great grip choice for those who just started gymnastics.
They are narrower and smaller than the standard gymnastics grip. The leather is also easier to break in, and the gymnast is able to keep more of their hand on the bar due to the grip type, hence able to feel their swing better.
6. Bailie Buckle Gymnastics Grips
The Bailie buckle gymnastics grip is a superb grip that is often used by higher level gymnast. They are comfortable and secure, thanks to the presence of the buckles.
The leather quality is also very durable. If you swing on the bars often, this dowel grips for gymnastics will be your best bet.
7. Nastia Liukin Russian Heritage Double Buckle Gymnastics Grips
This high performing gymnastics grip, thanks to the durable quality leather, are recommended for Elite gymnasts who are frequently breaking or over stretching their grips.
It has a double buckle wrist closure and a sewn on, leather wrapped dowel, providing the ultimate comfort and wrist support.
8. Beginner Soft Hook and Loop
These grips come in the smallest size of any of the high quality hand grips. They're affordable, but they're still made of leather. That makes them solid gymnastics hand grips.
The Venus grips are great for small hands, but they craftsmanship isn't as good as it is with the Bear KompleX. Bear KompleX uses triple stitching. These are ok, but watch the seams and for signs of wear. They can tear if you use them a lot.
The Velcro closure is easy to fasten and remove without help. The finger holes are adequate for most hands. They are actually round, unlike the WODFitters hand grips which are rectangular and less comfortable.
I think these gymnastics grips are great for young gymnasts with small hands. As soon as they are big enough for another brand, I recommend making the switch. Otherwise, these are good gymnastics grips if your gymnasts are very young.
Choosing the best grips for gymnastics
Look for decent quality material. I only selected leather products in this list because they perform better. Leather is both strong and flexible, though it requires some breaking in.
Below are some important factors to consider.
1) Type of grips
There are 2 types of gymnastics grips, the dowel and non-dowel types, also known as regular beginner grip. If you just started learning gymnastics, I would suggest you to get the non-dowel grip as shown beside.
These kind of gymnastics grips comes with 2 holes for your fingers. They are commonly used by gymnasts who are just beginning because they are easier to use and also great at preventing blistering.
Non Dowel Grips For Beginners
Dowel Grips (Bucker)
If you are a higher level gymnast doing advanced gymnast skills, I would suggest you to get the dowel grips.
These dowels have rod near the finger holes that helps you get a better grip on the bar.
2) Hook and loop Vs Bucker Grips
Non dowel grips comes in 2 shapes, buckle or hook & loop. Hook and loop grips are easier to put on and hence, the main choice for lower level gymnast. These gymnastics grips can be easily adjusted to fit small wrists.
Bucker grips on the other hand is a solid trustable grip that will not come off easily when used, offering maximum safety to the gymnast and wrist support too. These kind of gymnastics grips are highly preferred by higher level gymnast.
3) Shapes of The Dowel grip
Skinny Grips
Straight Grip
Curved Grip
Dowel grips on the other hand, comes in 3 different shapes, skinny, straight and curved.
"Skinny Grips" are best if you want to have a good feel on the bar during practice.
If practicing on gymnastics bars are your main priority, these kind of grips will be the perfect choice.
On the other hand, the "Straight Grips" follow the Russian design.
These kind of gymnastics grips are good as they covers most of the hand, minimising greatly, the risk of slipping.
Last but not least, the last kind of grip is the curved grip.
Curved grips are the absolute combination of the skinny and straight types, covering most of the hand if compared to the skinny type and a better feel for the bar when compared to the straight type.
Therefore, it is not a surprise that these kind of gymnastics grips are the most popular among gymnasts.
3) Size of The grip
Very important factor. Please pay close attention to the sizing charts on the websites (each company have a different sizing chart) and it is critical that you measure your gymnast’s hand correctly. The chart beside is for the Reisport brand.
The first step is to measure from the tip of the middle finger to the bottom of your palm. Refer this measurement up on the sizing chart. Gymnastics grips generally come in sizes 0-4.
If the finger holes are smaller then your desired size, you can widen them using sandpaper wrapped around a pencil. However, do keep some allowance when widening and not make the finger holes too big as the leather could stretch over time, making it looser after some use.
So what is the best gymnastics grips for me?
While the quality for gymnastics grips varies, the ones on this list are all worth considering. The ones with dowels are best for uneven bars and the others are good multitaskers.
Your best grip may vary from mine. Remember that deciding on the best gymnastics grips to get is a PROCESS that may take some trail and error. Here is how the thought process should go.
1) What level gymnast are you? If you are in gymnastics level 4 or less (Xcel gold or less), go for the non dowel grips like the Gibson Rainbow Gymnastics Hand Grips. This is a great basic beginner grip.
If your gymnastics level is 5 or higher (Xcel Platinum or Xcel Diamond), go for the dowel grips like the Reisport Ladies Grips With Dowels. The sewn in dowel adds to the overall grip and performance.
2) Decide whether to go for buckle or hook and loop grip. Hook & Loop grip on the other hand are easier to put on. A buckle grip on the other hand offers better wrist support and will not come undone easily.
3) If you are going for dowel grips, which shape best fits me better, skinny, straight or curved? Skinny grips give you a better feel on the bar. Straight grips provide more hand coverage, able to avoid rips better.
Curved grips are the absolute combination of the skinny and straight types, covering most of the hand if compared to the skinny type and a better feel for the bar when compared to the straight type.