Chalk powder has become a common usage in a lot of sports like gymnastics, rock climbing, weightlifting, bouldering, tug of war, etc. Chalk powder is basically comprised of magnesium carbonate. It is applied on the hands to prevent perspiration and slipping while lifting weight in particular.
Weight lifting chalk
Weight lifting chalk is also referred to as “powdered grip”. It finds a typical use with the gymnasts and professional weightlifters who make use of weightlifting chalk in order to decrease the amount of friction when holding the equipment. Lifting chalk is a unique grip enhancer, not just applied to bare feet and hands, but also to the weight lifting gloves and at times, to the bottom of the shoes. The purpose is to accentuate the traction so that the athlete stays in an advantageous position with a clean, non-slip grip and do the lifting carefully. Lifting chalk is often used by baseball players at the bottom of their shoes, on their hands and the bat to bring about a powerful swing and stride.
No Chalk in Gyms
Lifting gym floors in the 1960s were always coated in a white powder-fine chalk for sure. Chalk powder was then taken to be a necessary requisite in most of the gymnasiums. Nevertheless, the contemporary commercial gyms posit a different picture altogether. The gym owners no more intend to sweep the chalk powder off the floors after the clients and members leave. Hence, powerlifting chalk powder has seen a decline in popularity in the recent times. Instead, a number of products have come up to cater to the same needs, one effective product being the Ghost Grip Lotion. Some other unique powdered grips also come with a unique grip enhancer. These form a powdery film on the surface on which it is applied. Not absolutely like chalk powder, this film is supposed to fend off water and sweat, still allowing the skin to breathe.
Other types of Powerlifting Chalk Products
Some of the other contemporary products that are in use other than the popular and efficient Ghost Grip Lotion are as follows:
- Chalk Balls made of pure magnesium carbonate for lifting gymnasts, and also for those who indulge in climbing and weight lifting.
- Chalk Blocks that prove handy when used during rock climbing, bouldering, weight lifting and various other weight intensive activities.
Lifting champions, on the contrary, are aware of the fact that the powder and the blocks are a lot messy than the calcium carbonate balls which prove handier while you are lifting weight. Lifting as a sport has evolved over the years, although you may still find some of the professional weightlifters shaking their six-packs in specialized power lifting gymnasiums.
Chalk Powder is Messy, Use Ghost Grip Lotion
Chalk powder as an anti-slipping component is also a part of the legendary Olympics. Lifting weight in the Olympics involves the process where lifters powder their hands right before competing. Lifting attains a good grip this way. Chalk powder or calcium carbonate, whichever way you call, it has become an indispensable part of the entire process. Chalk powder is no doubt a little messy but, it comes only second to the extensive popularity and use of Ghost Grip lotion.
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