Weighted Glove Versus Dumbbell

One of the reasons that strength training is such an effective method of exercise is that the wide array of available equipment lets you vary your workouts while still engaging all of your target muscle groups. Sometimes, this variety creates confusion as to which piece of equipment is better suited to your ultimate training goals. For example, the use of weighted training gloves may be a better fit for some styles of strength training, while dumbbells suit other styles of training. Select the best equipment based on your goals.

  1. Arms Race

    • Each piece of strength-training equipment can be used to work out a variety of muscle groups, but each primarily engages the muscles of the arm. These muscle groups include the biceps, triceps, forearms and deltoids. The resistance provided by either dumbbells or weighted gloves engages these muscles through arm curls, extensions, raises to the front and side, presses, flyes, swings and, in certain cases, speed training for martial artists and competitive fighters. Either piece of weight-training gear can also be used for exercises that engage all the other major upper-body muscle groups, including the pectorals, the latissimus dorsi, the trapezius, the abs and the obliques.

    Show Some Glove

    • Weighted training gloves are ideally suited to exercises that require rapid arm movements, making them perfect for competitive fight training, martial arts practice and noncontact, noncompetitive boxing-style workouts. The weighted glove gives your upper extremities increased resistance without having to worry about maintaining your grip on a piece of free-weight equipment. The gloves are made from a breathable material that prevents sweat from accumulating between the glove and the palm. The gloves come in a variety of preselected weights, ranging from a few ounces to several pounds.

    Dumbbells’ Smart Side

    • Dumbbells are best suited to performing complex, methodical weight-training exercises instead of quick, explosive movements. Dumbbells can be used for a variety of upper-body, lower-body and total-body exercises such as chest flyes, shoulder presses, rows, curls, side bends, squats, lunges, deadlifts and calf raises. A dumbbell comes at a preset weight and features a grip handle with weight attached or molded on both ends of the handle.

    Side by Side

    • The biggest advantage of weighted gloves is that they leave your hands free from having to maintain a grip through your exercises. While you can engage in effective speed-based exercises, the relatively low weight doesn’t make weighted gloves a suitable fit for weight training, but does make them good for athletic training. Dumbbells are a better fit for traditional weight training where the goal is to build muscle mass and increase strength.