What is Gym Chalk Used for: from A to Z

Have you ever spoiled some reps because of a bar slipping off your hands? I’m sure I can help you with that. 

What is gym chalk used for? Read about its purposes, types, and ways to use this rep-saving tool effectively.

Do not confuse chalk for weightlifting with ordinary one which contains completely different ingredients and thus has different properties. Sports chalk is made of a mineral called magnesium carbonate which determines its special structure. 

This particular quality “sticks” the substance to the hands and provides a long-term effect. Apart from that, some producers use more additives such as limestone, drying agents, and even essential oils to bring up new properties.

Gym chalk is used in many sports, for example, weightlifting, powerlifting, fitness, gymnastics, climbing, etc. If you have ever spotted someone white-handed in the gym, be sure that they use this substance. 

Athletes apply it to their hands in order to reduce sweating and slipping and thus make the grip stronger. It is particularly helpful while working with barbells, dumbbells, poles, gymnastic bars, rings, etc.

You can find a wide choice of gym chalk on market. I will walk you through all possible types to help you make up your mind:

This type is sold in blocks of different sizes which become powder on your hands when rubbing. It isn’t as messy as the previous one and is still cheaper than the liquid one. 

As to the drawbacks of both types of dry chalk, there is some research on their effect on air quality and lung health. In a nutshell, if you are prone to respiratory problems, you better choose the liquid form that doesn’t create any dust in the air. 

But if your skin is sensitive or allergic, consider buying dry chalk which is purer and doesn’t contain any additives.

It is the most cutting-edge type of gym chalk. Though it is slightly more expensive than the previous ones, it benefits you in terms of convenience and effectiveness. 

Firstly, it lasts on your hands significantly longer and doesn’t leave any marks on clothes. Moreover, the transportation of a small bottle won’t cause any difficulties. 

On top of that, liquid chalk contains alcohol that provides an antibacterial and antiviral effect which is another upside due to Covid-19. But don’t forget to close tightly the bottle after using it to prevent chalk from drying out.

If you still aren’t sure what does chalk do for lifting, I will briefly conclude all the benefits:

The very first question on this topic is “does chalk help with grip?”. Yes. It is no secret that a slipping barbell has spoiled many important lifts. 

In order to prevent this situation, use gym chalk whenever performing any exercise which demands a confident grip. While absorbing sweat, it will improve friction and literally “stick” your hands to a barbell.

A slipping barbell can destroy not only your mood but also be dangerous and put you at risk of injury. Imagine yourself performing a heavy deadlift and realizing that the grip is going looser. 

Mostly, you will end up with the improper technique just to hold a bar and finish the exercise. So I recommend using gym chalk to save your joints and tendons.

Sweaty palms in the gym are neither aesthetic nor healthy. Leaving greasy marks on sports equipment is conducive to bacteria and virus spread as well as unpleasant for other athletes. And, as I mentioned before, liquid chalk works almost like an antiseptic.

If a slipping bar bothers you and stops you from lifting heavier weights, it is time to put gym chalk in your bag. Even if you manage to perform exercises with sweating hands, it often distracts your attention and breaks concentration.

I’m often asked: “Does chalk prevent calluses?” Of course, gym chalk doesn’t guarantee that you will forget about calluses forever. 

Yet, it does create a protective layer and reduces the sharp effect of barbell knurling on your hands. Though it prevents tearing your skin, it still dries it up so don’t forget about moisturizing if you seek soft palms.

At this point, you may wonder if gym chalk is necessary for any athlete. Well, if you do weightlifting, powerlifting or fitness – yes, it is essential. 

But if you are into fitness, there are other options as well.

The most common alternative is gym gloves. They are suitable for nearly all fitness exercises and protect your hands well. Still, some athletes find them not comfortable and rather distractive. Moreover, they are not suitable for Olympic lifts.

Another tool is weightlifting straps though they can’t replace gym chalk completely. They are mainly used for the deadlift or snatch but not all the exercises. 

For example, using them in the clean demands significant wrist mobility. On top of that, it is more effective to combine them with gym chalk, especially in the case of very sweaty palms.

All in all, it depends on your kind of sport, exercises you perform and individual peculiarities.

Here is a quick guide on how to use hand chalk for gym properly:

1. Make sure your hands are completely dry. The best decision is to wash them before a workout.
   
   
2. Apply a thin layer to the palms. Cover every inch of the skin including areas between fingers. If you use the hook grip, pay special attention to the thumb. 
   
   When using dry chalk, you are ready to do an exercise at once but in case of the liquid one, wait till it dries out completely (the time depends on the brand).
   
   
3. Rub chalk on your hands every time you see some blank spaces on your palms or feel that the grip weakens. If you use dry chalk, you may need to do that quite often but the liquid one is more lasting.
   
   
4. Wash your hands with soap thoroughly immediately after a workout. If your skin is sensitive or dry, apply a moisturizer to make it softer.

Also, I have prepared some tips for you:

• Always keep gym chalk close to quickly apply it whenever needed.
• Clean a barbell from chalk to prevent rust. Use a special hard brush.
• Don’t apply too much chalk, it won’t benefit you anyway.
• If you need to wash the chalk off the floor, add a bit of vinegar to the water.

Regular chalk is made of calcium sulfate while the ingredient for gym chalk is magnesium carbonate. The first one is firmer, doesn’t stick to your hands that well and doesn’t dry them out.

Gym chalk may be quite messy and difficult to clean so some gyms ban athletes from using it. Still, it is allowed in weightlifting and fitness gyms.

Gym chalk SHOULD be used for climbing as well as for weight training to get a better and safer grip.

All in all, gym chalk is a life-saving tool for a better grip and more effective training. You are now definitely ready to try it out. 

If you have any further questions, feel free to ask in the comments. Also, share your impression and advice on using gym chalk. Wish you a strong grip and effective workouts!

References:

• Magnesium carbonate //  Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnesium_carbonate
  
• “Magnesia Alba “Chalk Dust” and Air Quality: A Comparative Study of Two University Rock Walls” // ODU Digital Commons: https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/undergradsymposium/2020/postersession/39/
• Liquid Chalk Is an Antiseptic against SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A Respiratory Viruses // MSphere: https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/mSphere.00313-21