Weightlifting Chalk
In the 1960s you couldn't walk into a weightlifting gym without finding it coated in a white powder-fine chalk. However, today commercial gym owners no longer want to sweep up after their clientele, so weightlifting chalk isn't quite as encouraged. You still might be able to find weightlifters shaking their stuff in specialized powerlifting gyms.
Weightlifting chalk, also called powdered grip, is typically used on the hands of gymnasts and professional weightlifters to reduce the friction when contact is made with equipment. Grip enhancers, like chalk, are often applied to bare hands and feet, weightlifting gloves and the bottoms of shoes to increase traction where a clean, non-slip grip gives an athlete an advantage. For example, you'll often see baseball players applying grip powder to the bottoms of their shoes as well as to their hands and bat for a powerful swing and stride.
Some specialize powdered grips can also be found with a unique grip enhancer that forms a powdery film on whatever it's applied to. This film is supposed to repel water and sweat, yet still allow the skin to breathe.
I admit to watching the odd Olympic weightlifting competition. Upon tuning in, I noticed that Olympic lifters apply chalk to their hands right before lifting to give them grip advantage. If you plan to use grip powder in your home gym just keep in mind that it can be pretty messy stuff and must be applied often to maintain your grip. I personally find that weightlifting gloves serve the same purpose, plus chalk doesn't stop blisters and calluses from forming due to friction with weight bars.
A 2-ounce shaker of weightlifting chalk is worth about $6 online. You can also apply chalk on top of your gloves to further enhance your grip.
