How to Break in Gymnastics Grips

Leather gymnastics grips are tanned using a tanning agent that, once dried, leaves the leather stiff and therefore uncomfortable when first worn. It is important, albeit an annoyance, to break in hand grips before jumping into your routine, but considering the following tried-and-true techniques for taking some of the guess work out of breaking in and prolonging the life and safety of the new grips.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

1. Nix the water technique. Professionals do not recommend using water to soften the leather as it can deteriorate and stretch it beyond repair.

2. Give the grips plenty of breaking-in time. In general, it takes a good month for them to get there.

3. Break in the grips. Begin by turning the finger holes so they face upwards and the dowels are towards you. With the leather wrapped around the dowel, roll the entire grip down to the wrist cuff. Repeat this process, only this time roll the grip in the opposite direction. Keep repeating in both directions until the stiffness is reduced to your liking.

4. Work on the finger holes. If they are too small, use a piece of sandpaper to file them to a larger size that feels more comfortable. It is not recommended to buy grips with finger holes that are too large, but if necessary, then use wrap tape through the finger holes until a better fit is achieved.

5. Begin practicing with the grips. Wear them for slow under swings and gradually build up to full swings as they become more comfortable.

6. Follow the sizing chart when buying the grips. Purchasing oversized grips that slide down too far on your arm to avoid the discomfort of the grips on your wrist defeats the purpose of the grips all together.