Essential to gymnastics are grips. Level 4 is usually when most gymnasts start using grips.
Holding power and protection are provided by grips. Good working condition grips require you to know how to care for them.
Here's practical tips for grip care in four steps
#1 Wear and tear inspection
Small tears or weak points can develop causing a safety hazard. Inspect your grips before and
and after each practice, closely examining possible tears in the leather or weak points around the wrist, buckle, or strap. Soft leather that
is comfortable should not be construed as weak. Leather is meant to become soft in order to fit your hand and wrap around the bar. But if the
Ask a coach if leather is wearing thing and you're unsure of inspecting it. A small tear in the leather will continue growing.
continue to grow. We recommend discarding gymnastics grips at the sign of any tear of any size on any part of the grip. It's always better to error in the name of safety.
#2 Nap them with a wrap
Wrapping for 24 hours should be done for new gymnastics grips. With the finger tip edge first, roll the leather around the dowel.
You're essentially wrapping the grips around themselves and then securing them with a rubber band or piece of string. This will break the
making grips flexible from hard leather. Conforming nicely to the human hand is flexible leather. This process should be repeated until the grips
sit against the palm and feel comfortable at rest. This process, once the leather is broken in, can be stopped. One or two weeks of wrapping should suffice.
#3 Dust them
Excess chalk can build up on gymnastics grips after each practice session. The chalk will become compacted into the leather due to the high amount of
pressure between the bar and grips. You don't want leather to become stiff with chalk build up. Excess chalk can be removed by brushing it off.
brushing it off. Similar to a dog brush, gymnasts will use a grip brush with semi rigid bristles. If out of a grip brush
stiff tooth brush would work if you take your time. It's important to stay away from the stitching as the brush could cut or damage it rendering the
grips unsafe. Remember to brush back and forth across the length of the grips.
#4 Safe storage
When not in use, it's important to protect gymnastics grips. A separate bag will keep grips during transport from getting ruined. Any
spill of soda or water on grips can weaken the leather. This is a debated topic but it's better to be safe and keep any doubts from entering. Remember,
a storage bag will keep your other clothing and equipment free of chalk dust from your grips. Separate storage benefits by reducing scent absorption into other items in your backpack or locker.
In conclusion, follwoing these 4 tips will ensure you have a quality pair of gymnastics grips available when you need them.
Holding power and protection are provided by grips. Good working condition grips require you to know how to care for them.
Here's practical tips for grip care in four steps
#1 Wear and tear inspection
Small tears or weak points can develop causing a safety hazard. Inspect your grips before and
and after each practice, closely examining possible tears in the leather or weak points around the wrist, buckle, or strap. Soft leather that
is comfortable should not be construed as weak. Leather is meant to become soft in order to fit your hand and wrap around the bar. But if the
Ask a coach if leather is wearing thing and you're unsure of inspecting it. A small tear in the leather will continue growing.
continue to grow. We recommend discarding gymnastics grips at the sign of any tear of any size on any part of the grip. It's always better to error in the name of safety.
#2 Nap them with a wrap
Wrapping for 24 hours should be done for new gymnastics grips. With the finger tip edge first, roll the leather around the dowel.
You're essentially wrapping the grips around themselves and then securing them with a rubber band or piece of string. This will break the
making grips flexible from hard leather. Conforming nicely to the human hand is flexible leather. This process should be repeated until the grips
sit against the palm and feel comfortable at rest. This process, once the leather is broken in, can be stopped. One or two weeks of wrapping should suffice.
#3 Dust them
Excess chalk can build up on gymnastics grips after each practice session. The chalk will become compacted into the leather due to the high amount of
pressure between the bar and grips. You don't want leather to become stiff with chalk build up. Excess chalk can be removed by brushing it off.
brushing it off. Similar to a dog brush, gymnasts will use a grip brush with semi rigid bristles. If out of a grip brush
stiff tooth brush would work if you take your time. It's important to stay away from the stitching as the brush could cut or damage it rendering the
grips unsafe. Remember to brush back and forth across the length of the grips.
#4 Safe storage
When not in use, it's important to protect gymnastics grips. A separate bag will keep grips during transport from getting ruined. Any
spill of soda or water on grips can weaken the leather. This is a debated topic but it's better to be safe and keep any doubts from entering. Remember,
a storage bag will keep your other clothing and equipment free of chalk dust from your grips. Separate storage benefits by reducing scent absorption into other items in your backpack or locker.
In conclusion, follwoing these 4 tips will ensure you have a quality pair of gymnastics grips available when you need them.
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