We are very sorry, but no street is perfect. Not even PicSil's, although we work hard for it. Even so, don't be discouraged because if perfection is out of this world, you can try to get close to it with one of the four models we have created to help you perfect your pull-ups. Because these can be perfect. The grips are part of the basic equipment of every CrossFitter. But, as a beginner, you may wonder: do I need grips to start CrossFit? The PICSIL blog is here to answer this question.

Do I need grips to start CrossFit?

We have all been beginners in CrossFit and we all arrive at the box completely lost, without understanding a word of what the coach explains. And we are more lost when you see others running out to get their backpack to grab wristbands, tape or grips. As a beginner in CrossFit , you may wonder if you need specific material to start training. Before you start sharing the entire CrossFit kit, try the sport of fitness for a while to see if you like it. You need to discover those sensations of exercising with your hands, of feeling the bar when lifting and working on your grip on the rack. In other words, you have to callus , literally. If you see that the classes are passing and you are getting hooked (which surely happens), then you can consider purchasing material.

Why doesn't the perfect street exist?

There is no such thing as a perfect street simply because it never rains to everyone's liking. Yes, it is very big, very small, very hard, very thick. They bother me in pull-ups, I can't use them in a WOD. That I slip, that I prefer to go bareback and pick up my calluses. And countless phrases that we all hear in the box or that we ourselves have uttered. If we know they are not perfect, then why do we continue to use them? Because, deep down, we all know that the grips are your allies and not your enemies in your gymnastic WOD. But you need some adaptation time to get used to them. It is the same as the hook grip in weightlifting. No one likes ripping their thumbs off on the bar doing a snatch, but the safety grip is necessary if you're handling heavy weights and looking for... security.

Looking for the most perfect street possible

If the perfect street does not exist, what you have to do is look for the most perfect one for you . At PicSil , we have conceived, designed and handcrafted four models of grips to try to fit your aspiration perfectly . If the PicSil handlebars are not perfect, they do have virtues such as:

Be manufactured in Spain by hand
Have a patented design and fabric
Be hypoallergenic
Be suitable for vegans

Are you looking for a fine street to start with?

The Raven Grips are the new PicSil model that best fits this need. Their thickness is 1 millimeter and they are made of synthetic leather, offering a soft touch. They are PicSil's lightest handguards and offer high protection, resistance and durability. Why to start? Because if you are a beginner, you need to learn to tame the bar and rings with your own hands and do some callus to progress. The thinness and lightness of the Raven Grips make them almost non-existent in your hands, so you can focus on working on your grip. The key to your pull-ups is not in the street, it is in having enough strength and grip in your hands to perform the movement .

Do you already master grappling and want to reach the next level?

The PicSil RX Grips are the grip model for those who already control the technique and need to practice. Its thickness of 1.8 mm provides high protection and lightness at the same time. In addition, they are very resistant thanks to the carbon fibers in their composition. They will follow you in all your pull-ups, butterflies and muscle-ups workouts .

Are you a real gymnast and need high durability?

The Falcon Grips are the thickest in the PicSil catalog: 2 millimeters. Like the previous model, the Falcon are made with carbon fiber for extremely high resistance and durability. They also come lined on the inside with a soft fabric to protect your hands (we don't want to file your calluses while you train either). Of course, they are not so perfect since their thickness limits their lightness.

Do you need resistance, protection and lightness for your WODs and competitions?

You already know what streets we are talking about. The Azor Grips are PicSil's star product and the favorite grips of elite crossfitters such as Sam Briggs, Lukas Esslinger or Adrian Mundwiller . They were even the official runners of the Dubai CrossFit Championship 2018, the official competition to reach the CrossFit Games 2019 . Why are they so good? Because the relationship between protection, resistance and lightness is the most perfect that we have achieved at PicSil. Its thickness is 1.8mm; They are made with synthetic fabric and reinforced with a soft lining inside. In addition, their durability is high so that they can follow you competition after competition.

When to use grips in the box?

If you choose to buy grips to face your first WODs in the box, you will need to know when it is best to use them :

If you play gymnastics in class: warm-up, skill and in the WOD itself.
If you have any injuries or to prevent them : wounds, hard calluses, very dry and damaged hands.
If you are not yet used to the Olympic bars and you hurt yourself while lifting.
If you need to improve your grip during the WOD, beyond gymnastics.

At first you may not need them or you may not like using them, but over time you will understand why all the veterans in your box have a pair of grips in their backpack.

Ways to use the streets

Is there more than one way to use the streets? There is the classic way , hooking your fingers in the holes of the handle.

Leaving your fingers out of the street.

Folding the end of the handle to reinforce the base of the fingers.

In short: no, the perfect street does not exist. You just have to find the model, material, shape and use that best suits you and train, train, train. The pull-ups won't make you do perfect pull-ups the first time, but they will help you achieve perfection. And you, which of our streets are perfect for you? Tell it in the comments below or on our social networks.