If you're a gym newbie, you might not understand why this would be such a large divide. Aren't gloves just another accessory or a preference, like what you wear on your legs ? Even more importantly, does the handgear give lifters an edge if used correctly?

Short answer: no. But how and why you'd wear something on your hands is a bit more complicated than that.

Lots of guys do wear gloves. For some, they just rock the gear because it's something they've seen on other people. After all, there's not really a strict set of rules about how to dress when you hit (most) gym floors-so if you don't know what you're doing and see dudes wearing something you don't have, there's no harm in trying, too.

But for other guys, there is a method behind the gloved madness. We asked our followers on Twitter if they wear gloves, and why. The overwhelming response from the pro-glove crowd was that they sweat so much they lose the ability to grip the bar without some extra help.

Yes because my hands sweat. Deadlifts and pullups w/sweaty hands will land me in a viral video...pass - Sophisticated Ignorance (@i_am_so_chi) February 8, 2019

Other guys cited concern for direct contact with germ-y shared equipment and, of course, that they worry about developing callouses and rough hands.

Yes, Im a massage therapist and no one like having callouses being rubbed all over then. I use full on gloves on pulling days, but on push days Ill use open finger gloves. - Garner Cooper (@coopinlv) February 8, 2019

There are other legitimate reasons to wear them, too, like if you have open tears on your palms and wouldn't be able to lift at all without the extra protection. No matter their reason, these guys are faithful to the glove life. If you want to join them, check out these options for your next workout.