Selecting grips is best done with the advice of a coach. Ultimately, each individual gymnast will gravitate toward a different style, but it is most important to choose a grip that is appropriate for the gymnast’s ability level, hand size, and type of activity.
There are a variety of options available in each category:
Non-dowel/Dowel: gymnasts just starting out do not need dowels – as they begin to advance, dowel grips will provide a better grip on bar and rings
Shape: all grips are meant to prevent rips, blisters, and calluses; straight - best for providing stability as the gymnast advances to skills requiring a lot of hand movement; skinny – allows the hand more contact with the bar; curved - provides a strong grip while distributing pressure evenly across the palm
Closure: each gymnast has a preference - hook-and-loop, single buckle, or double buckle
Bonus Features: unique attributes include features like built-in wrist guards (Gibson Just Right Neo Grip) and extra-strong laminated leather (Reisport Protec Grip)
Beginners (Level 0-1) – GIBSON RAINBOW GRIPS
High Bar (boys), Ring (boys), Uneven Bar (girls)
The RAINBOW non-dowel grip gives beginner boys and girls a chance to become familiar with the feel of bar and rings while working on simple skills. The curved silhouette allows the palm contact with the bar, while soft suede helps prevent blisters. Measure: from base of palm to base of longest finger. Fit: two grip holes should slide all the way onto middle and fourth finger and rest at top of palm. Options, size chart, and break-in education at Gibson Athletic.
Advanced Beginner (Level 1-6) – GIBSON JUST RIGHT GRIPS
High Bar (boys), Ring (boys), Uneven Bar (girls)
The JUST RIGHT slim silhouette dowel grip gives advanced beginner boys and girls both a firm grip and maximum contact with the bar or rings. Leather protects from rips, blisters, and calluses. Ring & Uneven Bar Measure: from base of palm to tip of longest finger. Fit: two grip holes should slide only to first knuckle of middle and fourth finger (hand will not extend flat). High Bar Measure: from base of palm to center of middle finger (exact middle between two joints) Fit: three grip holes should slide to second knuckle of index thru fourth fingers. Options, size chart, and break-in education at Gibson Athletic.
Early Competitor (Level 1-6) – GIBSON SUMMIT GRIPS
High Bar (boys), Ring (boys), Uneven Bar (girls)
The SUMMIT straight silhouette (girls uneven bar, men’s ring) and curved silhouette (boys high bar) dowel grip gives the early competitor the stability to perform skills requiring frequent hand movement. Leather protects from rips, blisters, and calluses. Ring & Uneven Bar Measure: from base of palm to tip of longest finger. Fit: two grip holes should slide only to first knuckle of middle and fourth finger (hand will not extend flat). High Bar Measure: from base of palm to center of middle finger (exact middle between two joints) Fit: three grip holes should slide to second knuckle of index thru fourth fingers. Options, size chart, and break-in education at Gibson Athletic.
REISPORT, “the world’s most popular grips”, are for gymnasts who have refined their skills. Gibson is the exclusive Reisport importer in North America, (as well as Central and South America).
Advanced Gymnast (Level 6+) – REISPORT GRIPS
High Bar (men), Ring (men), Uneven Bar (women)
The REISPORT straight silhouette (women’s uneven bar, men’s ring) and curved silhouette (men’s high bar) dowel grips provide the advanced gymnast stability and protection from rips, blisters, and calluses with premium leather and Switzerland’s best-engineered high-performance styles. Options, size chart, and break-in education at Gibson Athletic or Reisport USA– ReisportUSA .
Elevated Gymnast (Level 9+) – REISPORT PROTEC GRIPS
High Bar (men), Ring (men), Uneven Bar (women)
The REISPORT PROTEC straight silhouette (women’s uneven bar, men’s ring) and curved silhouette (men’s high bar) dowel grips are the strongest grips available for top-level gymnasts. Manufactured from a durable leather laminate that is triple the strength of ordinary leather, grips stretch less than 1% (compared to 4% for natural leather). Long-lasting protection from rips, blisters, and calluses in Switzerland’s best-engineered high-performance styles. Elite (hook-and-loop) and Hyper (double buckle) Protec styles, size chart, and break-in education at Gibson Athletic or Reisport USA– ReisportUSA.
Grips that are used regularly should be replaced at least every six months (more often if under frequent rigorous activity).
Always keep a backup pair of grips on hand.