Are you looking for a cross-fit product that will provide enough friction to hold on to the pull-up bar? It’s not unusual to see weightlifters “chalking up” in order to reduce the chance of weights slipping off their hands. But there’s one very obvious problem with chalk, and that is that it goes everywhere and makes a big mess in the gym. Plus, it leaves rust on the bar if not cleaned properly. That’s why most gyms don’t want to deal with it and don’t allow it all together. Luckily, there are several products on the market that can increase your grip and enhance your performance.
Pull Up Bar Wax
Pull-up bar wax is a wax-based product developed with athletes in mind, as it allows them to increase grip and workout efficiency. This product is formulated with resin and a blend of essential oils that create the perfect combo for fighting the bacteria left on the pull-up bar. It does a great job at increasing friction between bar and hand, which in return makes the grip more secure and slippage less likely.
Just take it with you to any weightlifting-friendly or powerlifting-friendly gym and apply it directly on the pull-up bar and you are set to complete more repetitions. No need for tape, grips, or messy chalk, as the pull-up bar wax instantly improves your grip while protecting your hands from ripping.
Liquid Chalk
Rock climbers often use liquid chalk because it keeps the hands from sweating. Athletes also use it as an alternative to chalk in gyms and situations where chalk usage is restricted. Liquid chalk doesn’t make as much of a mess as regular chalk does, plus, it leaves less residue on rocks, bars, and equipment. The main benefit of using liquid chalk is that it’s an effective and affordable solution that lasts much longer than chalk.
Pull Up Bar Grip Tape
Pull-up bar grip tape is a product used in professional training rooms for athletes that need to either wrap their hands with it or wrap the tape around the pull-up bar surface where they want to increase the grip. Using pull-up bar grip tape increases the grip and prevents your hands from ripping. This is a strong adhesive that is usually made from a rigid backcloth. You can easily attach it to tricep ropes, curl bars, pull-up bars, and other gym attachments. Or just brace your ankles, wrists, and fingers and other joints with a pull-up bar grip and your hands will be protected. Plus, you’ll be able to complete repetitions much more easily!
What Can I Use Instead of Chalk for Lifting?
While chalk powder is the most popular product for sports like weightlifting, bouldering, and rock climbing, but there are also a number of other solutions that can help you protect your hands from slipping while lifting weights. We recommend you use a liquid chalk alternative, which is usually the go-to product if the chalk you’re using makes a little more mess than you would expect.
Liquid grip products are usually more expensive than regular chalk but they make no mess whatsoever. Another reason CrossFit athletes use liquid grip is that most gyms allow patrons to apply this sort of product on the equipment.
Additionally, other popular alternatives are chalk balls and chalk blocks. Chalk balls are formulated with pure magnesium carbonate that is put into a small bag made from a thin material. Athletes roll the chalk ball around their hands, while the material allows the loose chalk to escape through the small holes of the material. The bag can also be refilled once you’ve used up all the chalk.
Unlike chalk balls which contain loose chalk, block chalk contains a chunk of magnesium carbonate which you will need to break apart in order to use it.
Can I Use Baby Powder Instead of Chalk?
No, it’s not recommended that you use baby powder instead of chalk for weight lifting because it will actually make the bar more slippery. Baby powder contains talcum powder or cornstarch, which are two ingredients that won’t ease your job when it comes to weightlifting. Talcum is actually used as a solid lubricant, while cornstarch is used as an anti-stick agent for medical products, so it’s definitely not a good idea to use these as solutions for friction.
Another common mistake people make is that they apply school chalk to increase the friction between the hand and the grip. Using school chalk won’t help you because this is a water-soluble carbonate rock that becomes slippery the exact moment it gets dry. School chalk can neither make your grip more secure nor slippage less likely.