- Sep 18, 2012
- 74
- 44
Hi! I have a question about using grips on uneven bars. So, I am an optional gymnast who, at the moment, doesn't wear grips on bars. At my old gym, grips became a requirement when moving level 5 to level 6. I tried to use them at that point. I had a good quality grips, but I COULD NOT get used to them!!!! I was a good bar gymnast and had all level 6 skills, freehip hs, and with grips I lost EVERYTHING, even a pushaway kip. My coach made me wear them for 2 months, no improvement, When I stopped using grips, I got all of my skills back in 2 days and was very good at level 6. Now, I have giants, also with no grips, and a ton of other bar skills, and my grip is never a problem. My hands aren't really big, size 1 grip. However, all of my grip-wearing teammates, and even my coach, find it a little strange that I have no trouble with bars, especially giants, with no grips. My only bar-problem is that when I do tap swings, ( which are way above the bar's height) I feel like I will peel off in my front swing b/c my wrist starts to shift over. So, what do you think, should I start wearing grips now? Do all gymnasts need grips eventually? Or will I be alright without them? Thank you SOOO much, and I'm sorry its so long.