9 Best Liquid Chalks in 2024

I have picked up the best liquid chalk for lifting in this article. Read about the properties, effects, pros and cons of the most popular liquid gym chalk.

It is not weird if you struggle to choose the best liquid chalk for lifting since there is a wide range of it available today. I want to clarify everything for you to make the decision easier.

I have picked 9 options – the most reliable and effective. Read about the main properties, peculiarities, effects, advantages and disadvantages of the most popular products on market based on my own experience and hundreds of liquid chalk reviews I’ve read online and got from my colleagues in the gym.

In a hurry?

In a hurry and can’t keep reading? How about you check out the WARM BODY COLD MIND.

WARM BODY COLD MIND’s Liquid Chalk offers athletes a reliable, fast-drying, and long-lasting solution with a pleasant citrus scent, making it an excellent choice for various sports, backed by positive reviews for its durability and convenience.

Our team of pro athletes and certified experts have gone through 16 liquid chalks, with only 9 making it to our list.

The chalks were tested against 7 essential criteria, with our team dedicating more than 30 hours to the task. We’ve also analyzed hundreds of online reviews. We update this list all the time, so your experiences and comments are more than welcome!

Top 9 Best Liquid Chalks for Lifting Reviewed

1. WARM BODY COLD MIND Liquid Chalk – Best Liquid Chalk for Lifting
2. SPORTMEDIQ Pro Grade Liquid Chalk 
3. HEALTHY PLAN Liquid Chalk Grip
4. Friction Labs Quick Grip
5. RxCLUB Liquid Sports Chalk
6. IRON AMERICAN Liquid Sports Chalk
7. Fire Team Liquid Chalk
8. EVMT Brands Liquid Chalk
9. Togear Liquid Chalk

BEST LIFTING CHALK

WARM BODY COLD MIND Liquid Chalk

• Size: 1.7 / 8.5 oz.
• Sport type: Weightlifting, Powerlifting, Gymnastics, Climbing, Pole Dancing
• Color: white
• Drying time: 15 sec
• Feature: designed by Olympian

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The brand WARM BODY COLD MIND produces the most essential sport accessories. All products are professionally designed to meet the needs and requirements of athletes. 

It aims to create the balance between the body and mind of an athlete by providing high-quality, convenient and accessible sport goods that can be used by both professionals and amateurs.

If you are looking for a reliable and convenient liquid chalk for a reasonable price, this option can be a good choice. It dries pretty fast, is long-lasting and easy-to-use. 

The consistency is paste-like and rather thick so a pea-sized amount is enough to cover the palms completely. A pleasant bonus might be the odor of citrus which hides the smell of alcohol. 

Also, you can start with a small size to try it out and make up your mind. In this case, you might find the 50-ml bottle another advantage. It comes with a carabiner so that you can always reach out for chalk without digging it out of the bag.

It also receives plenty of positive comments about its resistance so many athletes might find it the best liquid chalk for fitness. But no matter what sport you are into, trying it out isn’t likely to let you down.

2. SPORTMEDIQ Pro Grade Liquid Chalk

• Size: 8.5 oz
• Sport type: best for Olympic Weightlifting and Powerlifting
• Color: white
• Drying time: 15-25 sec
• Feature: honey in the ingredients

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SPORTMEDIQ is also a brand of sport accessories. It aims to make people enjoy physical activity and reach their goals by providing high-quality equipment and products.

This liquid chalk provides a strong grip, particularly for lifting heavy weights. The brand states it to be a perfect match for Weightlifting and Powerlifting but at the same time effective for other sports. 

The consistency is similar to thick lotion so that you can apply it with ease and get even coverage.

You may have noticed one special additive on the ingredient list – honey. It is responsible for such a strong grip but at the same time takes care of your skin. It is not sticky, though. All these make it a good liquid chalk for powerlifting.

As to the lasting time, it falls behind the previous option a bit. Its powder-like coverage is not that long-term and might leave some residue on clothes and equipment.

3. HEALTHYPLAN Liquid Chalk Grip

• Size: 8.3 + 1.7 oz. + massage ring
• Sport type: Rock Climbing, Powerlifting, Bodybuilding, Basketball, etc.
• Color: yellow, green, orange, blue, pink
• Drying time: < 25 sec
• Feature: combo kit

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The brand was founded in 2017, is young, innovative, and eager to involve more people in sports.

This option might be a great choice if you travel a lot and need a small bottle along with a big one. It comes with a carabiner so is convenient for transportation. 

Also, you can find rosin among the ingredients. This additive gives a “spider hand grip”. If you like various innovations, an after-workout ring for finger relaxation may be also an interesting tool for you.

Moreover, you can pick your favorite color among the five available, though once it dries, every option becomes white. The price is slightly higher but remember about the combo kit: you get 10 oz. all at once.

4. Friction Labs Quick Grip

• Size: 2.5 oz
• Sport type: Weightlifting, Climbing, Dancing, Baseball, Tennis
• Color: white
• Drying time: < 20 sec (for alcohol options), 60-90 sec (for alcohol-free option)
• Feature: Original, Alcohol-Free, Hygienic options

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Friction Labs has a lot of experience in producing premium hand chalk. At first, it was designed for climbers but has been upgraded and improved to serve other athletes as well.

If you have sensitive or allergic skin, struggle with calluses ad tears or just want a more caring liquid chalk, this one may be a real relief for your hands. 

The alcohol-free version is designed specifically for athletes with such needs to let them participate in sport activities to the fullest. Apart from that, you can try the original version which aims to give especially strong grip in hot and humid conditions if your skin is okay with alcohol.

Additionally, there is the hygienic version with 80% of alcohol. If you want to protect yourself from germs and viruses while working with shared equipment, have a look at this liquid chalk. It may be a significant advantage during the pandemic.

However, it is a premium product so the price is fairly high.

5. RxCLUB Liquid Sports Chalk

• Size: 1.7 / 8.5 oz. + 3 thumb tapes
• Sport type: Weightlifting, Rock Climbing, Gymnastics, Dancing
• Color: white
• Drying time: < 20 sec
• Feature: thumb tapes in the kit

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This product was specifically designed as a liquid chalk for weightlifting. So if you are an Olympic lifter, such a full kit might be really beneficial for you.

The kit includes 1 bottle and also 3 rolls of thumb tape. If you struggle with the hook grip or usually use tapes during your sessions, have a look at this option.

Another advantage of this chalk is its high anti-bacterial effect. It takes care of your skin and health so if you share equipment with other athletes and want strong protection, it might be a good upside. 

6. IRON AMERICAN Liquid Sports Chalk

• Size: 8.5 oz
• Sport type: best for Olympic Weightlifting and Powerlifting
• Color: white
• Drying time: 15-25 sec
• Feature: honey in the ingredients

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This liquid chalk might be a great choice for athletes who tend to use a lot of product. The price is very affordable and one bottle lasts really long.

It is not that resistant on your hands and may leave some residue, though. However, it could work especially well for lifters who love heavy deadlifts and a significant layer of chalk.

7. Fire Team Liquid Chalk

• Size: 1.7 / 8.5 oz
• Sport type: Weightlifting
• Color: white
• Drying time: < 25 sec
• Feature: light consistency

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Fire Team Fit is a veteran-operated company in the USA founded by a marine. It is small but has high standards and a big dream to motivate athletes towards fitness goals. Also, it emphasizes the importance of good physical performance for people involved in the military realm and supports them with their products.

This chalk aims to give you resistant coverage but at the same time, its consistency is relatively light, more similar to lotion. Nevertheless, it meets all the expectations and lasts pretty long, depending on the intensity and type of your sessions.

Still, it is relatively more expensive than most options on market. But if you like brands with interesting history and philosophy behind them, you might find this liquid chalk a great chance to support such a company.

8. EVMT Brands Liquid Chalk

• Size: 50 / 250 ml
• Sport type: Weightlifting, Climbing, Dancing, Baseball, Tennis
• Color: white
• Drying time: < 25 sec
• Feature: options for several sports

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EVMT Brands was founded by athletes for athletes. The team tries to solve the problems that they have struggled with in their sport lives.

This brand offers a lot of choices on how to buy liquid chalk in the most convenient combination. You can start with one 50-ml bottle, or buy two or even four of them for a better price, or go for a big 250-ml one.

If you want some specific features for your kind of sport, have a look at this chalk as there are four different types available: original, weightlifting, dancing, and climbing.

If you are a minimalist, you might also find the bottle really attractive, especially if it indicates your kind of sport.

9. Togear Liquid Chalk

• Size: 1.76 / 3.52 / 8.82 oz
• Sport type: Rock Climbing, Weightlifting, Golf, Baseball, Tennis, and many others
• Color: white
• Drying time: 15-25 sec
• Feature: high resistance 

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This liquid chalk is made of only pure, lab-tested ingredients so is suitable for athletes prone to different allergies.

Depending on your training time, it may last throughout the entire average session with no need for reapplying. It might be a significant benefit if you work for many reps with short rest periods. 

However, I have found a significant drawback of Togear lifting chalk for me. The consistency is rather light and easy to spread over the palms but, perhaps, for this reason there is a grey liquid that comes out of the bottle first.

Maybe, I haven’t shaken it enough so keep it in mind when using this chalk.

How I Have Choose the Best Chalk?

I used particular characteristics to evaluate all liquid chalks and now I want to tell you how I put all the scores.

1. Package

WBCM and RXclub have the most reliable packages. They are convenient, safe and, on top of that, have some bonuses. For example, WBCM provides a spare cap in case some chalk dries inside the first one and blocks the rest of the product. RXclub adds a tape to create a full weightlifting grip kit. However, the price for it becomes significantly higher.

Therefore, a plastic bottle is the most convenient and reliable option.

HEALTHY PLAN sells a massage ring together with the chalk. It is a cool thing but the kit includes two bottles at once so the price isn’t that affordable. As for Friction Labs, it gets the lowest score as it doesn’t have a proper package so many buyers complain about some damages after the delivery or transportation.

2. Bottle Design

Friction Labs has an interesting design that really stands out so gets a high score. But SPORTMEDIQ falls behind the other chalks as the bottle is very simple and without a carabiner.

3. Smell

I gave few points to IRON AMERICAN and EVMT because of the strong alcohol smell. Only Friction Labs doesn’t have any smell and all the others have a light citrus odor with a shade of alcohol.

4. Comfort

Friction Labs is the most unusual in terms of consistency. It is somehow similar to thick shaving foam.

Togear has a strange grey liquid that comes out of a bottle first in case you don’t shake it VERY well. It seemed that I did that but it turned out to be not enough.

Many athletes say that HEALTHY PLAN is hard to wash off, especially if you use a colorful option.

5. Longevity

WBCM and RXclub turned out to be the most resistant liquid chalks. When I was checking Togear, I had to reapply it rather often so it is not very effective. The others are pretty much the same in terms of longevity.

6. Drying Time

Friction Labs is the slowest option. You have to way for a while before starting the workout. WBCM and RXclub take the lead again.

7. Price/Quality

In the overall count, WBCM wins the battle. It is the most effective in terms of drying time and longevity, offers a spare cap and a pleasant smell for a reasonable price.

RXclub becomes a runner-up with a serious weightlifting kit. However, you have to fork out 70% more for it.

HEALTHY PLAN takes the third place. The combination of 2 bottles and a massage ring is interesting but the only option available which makes it rather costly.

What Is Liquid Chalk?

Liquid chalk is a mix of magnesium carbonate and alcohol, and often more additives for special properties.

It is used in sports such as weightlifting, fitness, powerlifting, gymnastics, climbing and many others. After drying out the hands, it absorbs sweat and improves friction to make the grip stronger, more confident and safe.

As to the consistency, it can vary. Some brands prefer the highest viscosity and make their liquid chalk thick and paste-like. This type provides the strongest coverage, but sometimes you may find it difficult to apply.

Other brands produce lotion-like liquid weightlifting chalk in order to make it easy to get out of a bottle and spread over your hands. This option is not so resistant and may need reapplying a few times during a workout, depending on exercises, intensity, and also climate conditions.

Why Do You Need Liquid Chalk for Lifting?

A lot of athletes prefer liquid chalk to the dry one for several reasons. They may depend on your kind of sport, lifestyle, and personal peculiarities.

✅ Strong Grip

While staying on your hands, it literally “sticks” a bar to them. This benefit is especially important for weightlifters, powerlifters, and everyone who is fond of lifting heavy weights.

✅ Less Mess

It doesn’t create dust in the air, on equipment, and marks on clothes. As a result, it doesn’t cause respiratory issues and is more hygienic. On top of that, cleaning the floor and equipment is far less painful without this messy layer of dry chalk.

✅ Ban on Dry Chalk

Some gyms don’t allow athletes to use dry chalk, and the liquid one is an exception. The reason is the dust powder chalk creates in the air and on equipment. It causes a mess and is difficult to clean.

✅ Long-Term Effect

You don’t have to reapply it before every set as it is more resistant than dry chalk. Some products can last throughout the entire workout depending on your kind of sport, exercises, intensity, etc.

✅ Convenience

It is easy and safe to take along in your bag. A tightly closed bottle doesn’t leave any marks inside a bag and doesn’t need any additional protection.

On top of that, most brands have a small size with a carabiner which is great for climbing or training during a vacation.

✅ Special Properties

It can contain odors, rosin, sticking agents, different colors, etc. If you want to give color to your training routine, it might be another benefit for you.

✅ Health Safety

No dust causes no respiratory issues. Moreover, it contains alcohol so kills germs and viruses just the way your sanitizer does.

All in all, according to liquid grip reviews, most athletes become hopeless fans of liquid chalk and don’t return to the regular one in their workouts.

What to Look For in Liquid Chalk?

While choosing liquid chalk, define your needs, expectations, and requirements based on your sport and personal peculiarities. There are so many options on market that it is easy to get puzzled.

Analyze the most crucial points for you. Do you need liquid chalk to be super long-lasting? Maybe, you are sensitive to odors or hate alcohol smell. Does your kind of sport demand you to be quick and start the next set as soon as possible? It may push you to seek a really short drying time in your future liquid chalk.

There are main characteristics of liquid chalk that can be evaluated:

1. Longevity

It determines how long liquid chalk lasts on your hands. It may be especially important for fitness athletes, who must do their exercises extremely quickly with short breaks so they have no time to reapply it in the middle of a session, or for rock climbers, who don’t have the opportunity to renew a layer of chalk while climbing.

Tips From the Champ

When choosing liquid chalk, get one with a quick-drying formula that will give you long-lasting effects. You want something that will improve your grip, but that will also be easy to wash off. If your skin is sensitive, check the ingredients and make sure they’re skin-friendly.

Oleksiy Torokhtiy

Olympic Weightlifting Champion

2. Consistency

It often influences the longevity and drying time of particular liquid chalks. Thick consistency gives stronger coverage and lies more evenly because of a higher concentration of chalk. At the same time, it may leave light residue on equipment and clothes. More liquid consistency gives a thinner layer and may need reapplying from time to time.

3. Drying Time

It goes without saying that most athletes want their liquid chalk to dry out as fast as possible. They are eager to hit heavy weights and don’t want to wait. But in some sports, it is a particularly essential feature. For example, every second counts for fitness athletes.

4. Grip Quality

Pay attention to recommended sports because the grip needs may vary for different activities. Some liquid chalks just dry out your hands and provide a confident grip whereas others contain rosin and other similar additives that make the grip more ‘sticky’. For example, you may find this feature especially beneficial for deadlifts or baseball.

5. Ingredients

Always check the ingredient list if you are allergic to something, or if your skin is dry, sensitive or torn. For example, alcohol can be really harsh on your hands but, luckily, there are already alcohol-free options on market.

Moreover, some brands add elements with additional moisturizing properties (such as honey) to their products to make them softer. Also, you may find some odors irritating and too strong so check it out as well.

Above, I have summarized all of them for the most popular and reliable products on market now. If you want even more information, you can read liquid chalk reviews on Amazon and other websites.

How to Use Liquid Chalk?

Here is a quick guide on how to use liquid chalk and make it work effectively:

1. Wash Your Hands With Soap

For liquid chalk to stick to your palms firmly, it is better when they are not greasy and perfectly clean.

2. Dry Your Hands

Make sure your hands are completely dry before applying liquid chalk.

3. Shake the Bottle

In order to mix dry ingredients with liquid ones and make the consistency even, shake the bottle a few times and only after that open it.

4. Apply the Chalk

Pour a pea-size drop on your palm and spread it over the skin rubbing two hands together. Pay special attention to fingers and areas between them. If you use the hook grip, don’t forget to cover your thumb.

5. Let the Chalk Dry

It takes approximately 10-30 seconds, depending on the brand and also climate conditions. You can try waving your hands around to speed up the process.

6. Exercise

Get down to the training plan. If you notice some blank spaces on your palms or feel that the grip is getting weaker, reapply the chalk. The resistance varies and depends on the brand, exercises, training intensity, surfaces, humidity, etc.

7. Wash Off

Use warm water and soap to wash off the chalk. Most products come off your skin very easily.

8. Moisturize

Applying moisturizer after using liquid chalk prevents your hands from drying out, especially if they are sensitive. It may also protect your skin from calluses and tearing as well as make them soft.

Liquid Chalk vs Regular Chalk

I have tried plenty of different chalks during my sport career. From my own and my friends’ experience, most athletes prefer using liquid chalk. Once they try it, they never switch back to the regular one. They find it more convenient, quick, effective and easy during their training sessions.

Nevertheless, there are some cases when powder chalk wins the battle. If your skin is extremely sensitive and even allergic to alcohol, the traditional form might be a better choice for you. Of course, some brands offer alcohol-free options but they are less affordable.

Also, money may be a matter. Liquid chalk seems to be more expensive than dry chalk. However, its properties benefit athletes in many terms and are worth spending a little bit more to boost your training to another level.

Moreover, some gyms ban athletes from using dry chalk because it leaves a lot of dust in the air and on equipment. So always check if your gym allows hand chalk and what kinds of it to avoid getting in trouble.

Liquid chalk is also far more convenient for transportation. Whether you travel a lot or just carry chalk with you for every workout, it is easier and safer to carry a small bottle. It won’t leave white marks inside and outside your bag and doesn’t need additional protection. Many brands even include a carabiner to hook a bottle to your bag, belt, rope or other equipment.

Liquid chalk leaves almost no residue on bars and clothes. You don’t have to brush the equipment so often and it won’t look messy while exercising.

Still, if you are into “oldies culture” and prefer traditional training methods and tools, you may lack this charm while using liquid chalk. It is only an issue of feelings but not effectiveness, though.

Check our detailed liquid chalk vs regular chalk comparison.

How to Make a DIY Liquid Chalk in 5 Easy-to-follow Steps?

It’s easy to run out to the store and grab a bottle of liquid chalk, but as you probably may know already, it’s definitely pricier than loose chalk. It may come as a surprise, but it’s actually really easy to make homemade liquid chalk, and you only need 2 ingredients!

Once ready, here is what you need to do:

1. Preparation

You’ll need chalk powder, isopropyl alcohol (at least 70%), a spoon (or something to mix it with), and an airtight container so you have something to put the chalk in.

2. Measuring the Chalk

First, do yourself a favor and lay down some paper towels to catch spills. Then, you need to measure the amounts, and this is going to depend on how big of a container you have. Generally, you’ll need 2 to 3 tablespoons of chalk powder. 

3. Add the Alcohol

Once you have the amount of chalk that you need, start adding the alcohol. This is what’s going to create the liquid by binding the powder and the alcohol together. Add a small amount of alcohol first and if you need to, keep adding until the consistency is what you want it to be. You want the consistency to be that of a heavy cream or a thin paste. You’ll achieve this by going for a 2:1 ratio of chalk to alcohol and then working from there. The key is not to add too much alcohol right away or you’ll end up with a watery mess. 

4. Mixing

Keep mixing until the consistency is completely smooth, without any lumps.

5. Transfer to a Container

Then, pour it into the container, and your liquid chalk is ready to be stored or used!

The great thing about DIY liquid chalk is not only its price, but also the fact it’s customizable. You can make it as thick or as thin as you would like, which is not the case with store-bought options (unless you modify them after purchase).

Keep in mind, though, it may be a bit of a hassle to get the consistency as uniform as the store-bought chalk would have. Often, it may not even be possible. It can also create a mess while you’re making it (so don’t skip on laying those paper towels!), and it may not last as long. Store-bought chalks have preservatives that keep their shelf life rather long and that maintain their effectiveness as well.

Still, this is an eco-friendly, money-saving option that can give you great results.

FAQ

Is Liquid Chalk Good for Deadlifts?

YES, it is perfect for deadlifts. It provides a strong and safe grip so prevents you from slipping bar in the middle of a heavy rep.

How Long Does a 50 ML Liquid Chalk Last?

A 50-ml bottle of liquid chalk lasts approximately up to 45 uses. However, it may vary in different brands. It also depends on the consistency, viscosity, ingredients, climate conditions, exercises you do and intensity you maintain.

Also, athletes tend to use a different amount of liquid hand chalk based on their individual preferences.

Does Liquid Chalk Prevent Calluses?

On the one hand, liquid chalk dries out the skin so if you don’t take care of your hands, they can become even more prone to calluses. But if you follow all the steps and use it properly, it improves friction and acts as a protective layer between a bar and the hands.

Does Liquid Chalk Leave Residue on the Bar?

Basically, liquid chalk is not messy at all. It definitely leaves much less residue than dry chalk does. However, some products may leave very light marks behind them. It depends on the brand, consistency and viscosity, etc.

Is Liquid Chalk Allowed in Powerlifting?

Yes, it is allowed at powerlifting competitions and special gyms. However, some clubs don’t allow even liquid hand chalk. Always check it in the place you are planning to train in.

Conclusion

Liquid chalk is an essential tool for athletes who keep up with the world and want to make their workouts as effective as possible. I have been involved in Olympic Weightlifting for over 20 years. I do know what athletes need and I’m stacking my name on WBCM products and guarantee the quality.

So WARM BODY COLD MIND Liquid Chalk receives the highest score. It is a reliable, affordable and effective product for athletes of all levels and sports.

Share your experience and impression of using our top pick in the comment section.

Wish you a strong grip!

Also read:

• How To Make Liquid Chalk
• What Is Gym Chalk Used For

References:

1. "Rosin" Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosin.
2. "Magnesium carbonate" Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/Magnesium_carbonate.
3. "Chalk" Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chalk.
4. Leroy G. Wade "Isopropyl Alcohol" Encyclopedia Britannica.
5. "Evaporation Sensation" ACS Chemistry for life.
6. Photos are made by Torokhtiy Media team.