Grip Gloves Black: Get a Better Mat Hold in Pilates Class
By MoveActive USA | Grip Socks & Accessories for Pilates, Yoga | Published: 2026-10-31
Category: How-to Guides
Learn how to use Pilates grip gloves for a steadier mat hold, especially with sweaty hands. Follow a simple fit, wear, and care routine to keep your grip reliable.
Quick answer
Wear your Grip Gloves - Black snug but not tight, press through your palms on the mat, and keep the palms clean and dry. That combination gives you a more reliable hold in class, especially when sweat makes bare hands slip.
Why grip gloves help on the mat
Grip socks get most of the attention in Pilates, but your hands do a lot of stabilizing work in plank, side plank, and kneeling exercises. When your palms slide, you tense your shoulders and lose the connection you are trying to build. Grip gloves add a non-slip surface between your hand and the mat so you can press evenly instead of gripping with your fingers.
They are especially useful if you have sweaty hands or if your mat gets slick halfway through class. The trade-off is that gloves add a layer between your skin and the mat, so they will not feel exactly like bare hands. Expect a short adjustment period, and choose a size that lets your fingers move freely.
When gloves are the wrong choice
If you only do slow, low-sweat mat work and never feel your hands slip, you probably do not need gloves. Some people also prefer the direct feel of bare hands for fine balance work. In that case, a towel or a mat with a grippier surface may be enough. Gloves are a tool for extra hold, not a requirement for every class.
How to wear and care for your grip gloves
- Check the fit before class: Try the gloves on and make a fist. The fabric should lie flat across your palm without pinching between your fingers or bunching at the wrist. If the palm wrinkles when you press down, size up or down before you use them in a workout. A glove that bunches will slide on the mat, no matter how grippy the palm is.
- Start with clean, dry hands: Wash and dry your hands before putting the gloves on. If you tend to sweat heavily, pat your palms with a towel just before you begin. Do not apply lotion right before class, because it can reduce the glove's hold. Lotion and moisture are the most common reasons gloves feel slippery at the start.
- Press through your palms, not your fingers: In plank or kneeling exercises, spread your fingers and press the base of your palm into the mat. Let the glove do the gripping instead of curling your fingers. This keeps your wrists and forearms from overworking. If your fingers cramp, you are probably gripping too hard with your hands.
- Adjust during class if you feel slipping: If a glove starts to slide, stop and smooth it back into place rather than pulling at it mid-movement. Wipe your palms and the mat with a towel if sweat has built up. A quick reset is better than fighting a twisted glove through a whole flow. A twisted glove can cause blisters, so fix it as soon as you notice it.
- Clean after every sweaty session: Follow the care instructions that come with your gloves. As a general rule, hand wash in cool water and air dry flat away from direct heat. Avoid fabric softener and do not tumble dry, because heat can damage the grip surface. Proper drying helps the palm stay tacky and keeps the gloves from smelling.
Product facts
- Grip Gloves - Black: Designed for reformer workouts, hot mat classes, and weighted flows, with anti-slip technology similar to the brand's grip socks. This makes them a practical choice when sweat or equipment contact makes your usual mat hold unreliable.
Grip Gloves - Black
