Weighted Glove vs. Dumbbell

Increasing the intensity of your workout is as easy as adding a little weight. However, it can be difficult to determine if weighted gloves or dumbbells are your best option to achieve this. While they both add resistance, they are used for different purposes. So, it is important to understand your goals when deciding which to use.

Round 1...Fight!

Weighted gloves are relatively light, ranging in weight from eight to 20 oz. You can choose to use either weighted boxing gloves, fashioned to withstand the impact of punching a heavy bag, or you can use open-handed weighted gloves, better suited for cardiovascular training. Wearing weighted gloves while practicing boxing can help make your punches faster and stronger. Wearing them while doing cardio can add intensity to your workout and tone your arms quickly.

Pumping Iron

Dumbbells are held in your hands, rather than worn like weighted gloves. They are heavier and typically weigh between 2 and 100 lbs. Dumbbells with interchangeable weight plates can be loaded to even heavier weights. They can be used to perform upper-body exercises like presses, biceps curls, triceps kickbacks, flyes and weighted crunches, and for leg exercises like squats and lunges to build muscle. Dumbbells can also be held during cardio workouts to add intensity, sculpt arms and burn more calories.

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Versatility Weighs In

Dumbbells are much more versatile than weighted gloves. The wider weight spectrum available when using dumbbells allows you to use them for a greater range of exercises. The ability to use a heavier weight with dumbbells also makes them more practical to work more muscle groups. Where weighted gloves are generally only suited to tone the arms because they are lightweight, dumbbells can be used to exercise the arms, back, chest, abs and legs. Also, since dumbbells are held rather than worn, it is easy to set them down and pick them up as needed compared to weighted gloves that usually need to be strapped, unstrapped and adjusted each time you put them on or take them off.

The Right Equipment for the Job

Since both weighted gloves and dumbbells have their practical uses, you need to evaluate your goals when choosing which equipment is best for you. Beginners may find that starting out with weighted gloves is a good way to add some resistance to aerobic exercise until they can build up to heavier weights. Boxers, kickboxers and martial artists may also prefer weighted gloves since they can help improve striking power and speed. Those who wish to work more muscle groups or build bigger, stronger muscles may find that dumbbells are better suited for their needs.


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