Should I use weight-training gloves when I'm lifting?

While they're not absolutely necessary, padded, fingerless weight-training gloves can come in handy. They'll help you get a firmer grip on heavy weights and will absorb sweat, which means less slipping—a good thing when you're holding 100 pounds suspended above your head and you've got sweaty palms. You'll also get fewer calluses and blisters if you wear gloves when you lift. And let's not forget about appearances: Gloves make you look like you mean business in the weight room. If you don't like the feel of gloves, you can use neoprene hand pads to get a better grip.