Choosing the right grip size is not a minor detail.
Grips that are too small can limit your hand movement, create tension around the wrist, or feel uncomfortable during gymnastics movements. Grips that are too large can create excess material, reduce your contact with the bar, and make your grip feel less precise.
That is why choosing your PICSIL Grips is not just about picking a random size or using the same size you wear in other accessories. The right size depends on your hand measurement, the grip model, the type of bar, whether you use chalk, and how you prefer to wear your grips during training.
In this guide, we explain how to measure your hand, what to consider if you are between sizes, and how to choose your grips based on the way you train.
Why grip size matters in cross training
Grips are designed to protect your palms and improve your grip during bar movements like pull-ups, toes-to-bar, chest-to-bar, bar muscle-ups, and muscle-ups.
But to work properly, they need to fit correctly.
The right size should help you:
- Protect the main friction area of your palm
- Maintain good contact with the bar
- Open and close your hand naturally
- Avoid unnecessary excess material
- Train more confidently during high-rep workouts
- Keep a stable grip throughout the WOD.
The right size is not always the biggest one. More material does not automatically mean more protection. If there is too much extra material, you may lose bar feel and have less control during fast or high-volume movements.
How to measure your hand for PICSIL Grips
The first step is to measure your hand correctly.
Use a flexible measuring tape or a ruler and measure from the base of your wrist to the base of your fingers. This measurement will help you compare your hand size with the size chart of the specific PICSIL grip model you want to buy.
Steps to measure your hand
- Place your hand open on a flat surface.
- Keep your hand relaxed. Do not overstretch your fingers.
- Measure from the base of your wrist to the base of your fingers.
- Compare that measurement with the size guide of the PICSIL model you want.
- Consider how you plan to wear your grips: with fingers, fingerless, or folded over the bar.
Some PICSIL models use sizes such as S, M, L, or XL, while other models use sizes such as G and G+. That is why you should always check the size chart of the specific product before buying.
Not all models fit the same or are designed for the same type of use.
How should cross training grips fit?
Well-fitted grips should cover the area of your palm that contacts the bar without creating excess material that gets in the way.
The right fit should feel like this:
- the grip protects your palm
- You can close your hand without tension
- The wrist strap feels secure but not uncomfortable
- You do not feel pulling when hanging from the bar
- There is not too much extra material between your palm and fingers
- You can move confidently during dynamic exercises.
If you feel the grip pulling too much on your wrist or at the base of your fingers when hanging from the bar, the size may be too small. If the material folds too much or you lose contact with the bar, the size may be too large for the way you are using it.
Should your grips fit tight or loose?
It depends on how you wear your grips.
There is no single answer that works for every athlete.
If you wear your grips with your fingers through the holes, it is usually best to choose the size that matches your hand measurement according to the model’s size guide. In this case, choosing a size that is too large can create extra material and make the grip move more than it should.
If you wear your grips fingerless or prefer to fold them over the bar, you may want slightly more material. This style creates an extra layer between your hand and the bar, so some athletes prefer more coverage.
The key is not to size up “just in case.” The goal is not to wear more material. The goal is to wear the right amount of material for the way you train.
What size should you choose if you are between sizes?
If you are between two sizes, do not decide based on the measurement alone.
Before choosing, think about three things:
- How you plan to wear your grips
- Which movements you train most often
- What kind of bar feel you prefer.
If you want a more direct and controlled feel, the smaller size may work better, as long as it does not create tension or discomfort.
If you do a lot of high-volume gymnastics or use your grips folded over the bar, a size with slightly more coverage may feel more comfortable.
In any case, avoid choosing a size that limits the natural movement of your hand. Grips should protect your hands, not block them.
Choosing your grip size by training style
Your ideal size can also depend on your training style and how much bar work you do.
If you are a beginner
If you are new to cross training or gymnastics movements, prioritize control.
Do not choose a larger size because you think it will protect your hand more. At the beginning, it is more important to understand how the grip feels on the bar, close your hand safely, and avoid unnecessary movement from the grip.
Look for a fit that feels comfortable, secure, and easy to use.
If you do a lot of pull-ups, toes-to-bar, or chest-to-bar
In workouts with many reps, palm protection becomes more important.
Choose a size that covers the main friction area without reducing your contact with the bar. If you do high-volume WODs, your grips need to move with your hand without creating uncomfortable folds.
The size should allow you to hang, swing, and change rhythm without pulling on your wrist or shifting too much.
If you train muscle-ups or advanced movements
For movements like bar muscle-ups or ring muscle-ups, you need grip, protection, and precision.
Grips that are too large can reduce bar feel during the transition. Grips that are too small can limit movement or create tension while hanging.
In this case, your size should give you coverage and control.
If you train without chalk
If you train on clean bars or prefer not to use chalk, the grip model matters as much as the size.
Models like Hawk Grips are designed for grip on clean bars and no-chalk training. With this type of use, choosing the right size is key to keeping stable contact with the bar and avoiding excess material.
If you train with chalk
If you usually train with chalk, you can choose models designed to work well with chalk, such as Falcon Grips, or hybrid models depending on your preferences.
In this case, your grip size should let you take advantage of the material’s grip without creating unnecessary folds between your palm and the bar.
If you switch between training with and without chalk
If you sometimes train with chalk and sometimes without it, a hybrid model like Heron Grips or Phoenix Grips may be a good choice.
In this case, the size should support a more versatile use: enough coverage to protect your hands, but not so much material that you lose bar feel when training on cleaner bars.
Common mistakes when choosing grip size
Most sizing issues come from simple mistakes. These are the most common ones.
Choosing a larger size because you think it protects more
This is one of the most common mistakes.
A larger size can give you more material, but not always more protection. If there is too much excess material, the grip can wrinkle, move, or reduce your control on the bar.
Protection comes from the right fit, the right material, and proper use, not just from size.
Choosing a size that is too small
A smaller grip may feel secure at first, but it can become uncomfortable on the bar.
If it pulls on your wrist, limits your hand opening, or creates tension when hanging, it is probably not the right size.
Not considering how you wear your grips
Wearing grips with your fingers through the holes is not the same as wearing them fingerless or folded over the bar.
The way you wear them changes the feel and can influence which size feels more comfortable.
Using the same size across every model
Not all models use the same size guide.
Some PICSIL Grips use S, M, L, or XL. Others use G and G+. So even if you already own a pair of PICSIL Grips, always check the size chart of the new model before buying.
Ignoring the type of bar
Grip can change depending on the bar surface, chalk use, and workout type.
If you train on clean bars, with chalk, in competition settings, or during high-volume sessions, you may need a different model. That choice can also affect how you want the size to feel.
Which PICSIL Grips should you choose?
Size matters, but choosing the right model matters too.
Every athlete looks for a different feeling: more grip, more protection, more bar feel, more versatility, or better performance without chalk.
Heron Grips
Heron Grips are a strong option if you want hybrid grips for training with or without chalk.
They are a good choice for athletes who want versatility and do not want to depend entirely on bar conditions. If your sessions vary and you switch between different training styles, they can be a very complete option.
Hawk Grips
Hawk Grips are designed for no-chalk training and clean bars.
They can be a good choice if you train in gyms where chalk use is limited, if you prefer a cleaner training setup, or if you need grip without adding chalk. With this model, choosing the right size is especially important to maintain a direct and stable feel on the bar.
Falcon Grips
Falcon Grips are designed for athletes who train with chalk and want grip during intense sessions.
They can be a good fit if you do a lot of gymnastics work, use chalk regularly, and want durable grips for high-rep WODs.
Phoenix Grips
Phoenix Grips offer a comfortable and versatile feel for training with or without chalk.
They are a good choice if you want balance between grip, comfort, and control on the bar.
RX Grips
RX Grips can be an interesting option if you want protection, durability, and performance during gymnastics movements.
They are especially useful for athletes who do a lot of bar work and need grips ready for demanding training sessions.
Quick checklist before buying your PICSIL Grips
Before choosing your size, go through this checklist:
- measure your hand correctly;
- check the size guide of the specific model;
- decide whether you will wear your grips with fingers, fingerless, or folded over the bar;
- think about whether you train with chalk, without chalk, or both;
- decide whether you prefer more bar feel or more coverage;
- do not choose a larger size just for extra protection;
- avoid a smaller size if it creates tension when hanging;
- choose the model that best matches your training style.
These steps will make it easier to choose grips that fit your hand and the way you actually train.
Choose your grips based on your hand and your training style
Choosing the right PICSIL Grips size starts with a simple measurement, but it does not end there.
Your training style, the type of bar, your chalk use, and the feel you want all play a role.
If you want more control, avoid unnecessary excess material. If you want more coverage for high-volume movements or folded grip use, choose a size that supports that training style.
The right size is the one that helps you protect your hands, maintain good contact with the bar, and move confidently through every rep.
Before buying, check the size guide of the model you want and choose your PICSIL Grips based on the way you actually train.