Napa, California – May 2006 – Since you use them every time you visit the weight room, hop on the stationery bike, and attend a body pump or pump slide class, you may not have noticed the sorry state of your workout gloves. Think about it…you bought them more than a year ago. Since that time, they have come into contact with the sweaty grime on every weight, cardio machine and gym floor you've touched. The palms and padding are crumpled and they're certainly not as clean and smooth as when you got them. They probably don't smell so sweet either! You've had tons of fun lifting with them, but it's probably time to buy a new pair.

Harbinger Fitness and Grizzly Fitness USA offer more than 25 types of top-quality gloves for men and women of all fitness levels. Their extensive line features gloves made with different materials, closure systems, finger lengths and cushioning, for weight lifting, training machines, cardiovascular machines  (rowing, cycling, cross-trainers, etc.), kick boxing and light bag work. There is even a glove that's made of an antimicrobial mesh to fight off “gym germs.”You're sure to find the perfect gloves to replace your worn-out ones and to keep you and your hands in shape. Because after all, there are just some things that don't get better the longer you wear them!

Why Wear Gloves?

Gloves enhance any training regimen by protecting your hands and increasing bar traction during lifts. When exercising on cardio equipment or in a group class at the gym, gloves prevent you from coming into contact with “gym germs” that are a natural by product of all strenuous workouts. When weightlifting, they cushion your fingers and palm from the knurling (the metal teeth of the lifting bar). They also provide protection from skin abrasion, calluses and residual bacteria left on the bars. They give you added support (depending on the style of glove) for your wrists, fingers and palms. Gloves have a traction pad on the palm that holds the bar safely in place during lifting. Because they work so hard, you can exercise longer and more comfortably!

When Should You Replace Your Gloves?

Just like workout shoes, gloves wear with time. You have to shell out $80 to $120 to replace a pair of good workout shoes, while a pair of new gloves costs only about $10 to $40. That's a small price to pay for flawless hands. You should inspect them every three to six months, depending on how often you lift. Here's what you should take a look at:

Cushioning: Is there still enough cushioning on the palm when you grasp a bar or a handle? Does the padding bounce back when you compress it?

Stitching: Are all of the seams still intact? Are there any loose strings or fraying?

Closure: Does it still effectively secure the glove to your hand?

Body of the Glove: Does it still fit your hand snugly without binding? Can your fingers flex naturally and comfortably?

Glove Materials: Does the palm material still provide you with enough traction? Keep in mind that you shouldn't feel the "teeth" of the bar or handle cut into your fingers or palm when the bar is firmly grasped.

How Can You Make Your Gloves Last Longer?

You can prolong the life of your Harbinger and Grizzly gloves by caring for them properly.  If you have Harbinger WASH&DRY® GLOVES, machine wash your gloves in warm water with like colors. Use standard machine laundry detergent. (Do not use chlorine bleach.) Tumble dry on low heat. Remove from dryer and allow to cool before putting gloves on your hands. If you have regular, Harbinger non-Wash&Dry® gloves, hand wash in cold water with a mild soap. You can use a hand soap or liquid dish soap. Rinse well. Get as much water out of them without wringing them. Pressing them between two towels works great. Then let them air dry. Hang them up or lay them flat, but make sure they are not in direct sunlight. Follow these same instructions for all Grizzly glove types, except Crochet back gloves which should not be washed.

Harbinger and Grizzly Fitness USA accessories, gloves and mats are available at most major, independent and specialty sporting goods retailers nationwide. For more information, visit www.harbingerfitness.com and www.grizzlyfitnessusa.com.

About Harbinger and Grizzly Fitness USA

As the leading fitness accessory brands in the US and Canada, Harbinger and Grizzly Fitness USA have partnered to become the number one supplier of fitness accessories in North America.  With a focus on the strength training consumer, their combined product line combines innovation and performance.  Product categories include gloves, belts, wrist wraps, lifting straps, machine attachments, a full range of hand exercise tools and other products designed to enhance even the most rigorous training regimens.  For more information on Harbinger or Grizzly Fitness USA visit www.harbingerfitness.com and www.grizzlyfitnessusa.com.###