Climbers, weightlifters, gymnasts, and cross-fitters may not seem to have much in common at first glance (aside from being athletes, of course). But they share one key mission – to build their grip strength. However, all the good intentions and set goals won’t amount to much if these athletes can’t hold on to their bars, weights, rocks, and more. That is why most high-performance athletes rely on chalk. It helps ensure they retain their grip at the most critical time. The kicker is that there are currently two main types of chalk on the market. So, how does one choose? Never fear. We’re here to help! We put together a comprehensive guide discussing the differences between liquid and dry chalk so you can start feeling more confident in the gym.
Why Use Chalk?
Before we dive into the nitty gritty of chalk…you might be wondering why you should use chalk in the first place. You’ve probably seen Olympic athletes apply chalk like it’s going out of style. Or maybe you’ve seen some gym regulars dip their hands tubs next to their station.
The reason those athletes choose to apply chalk to their hands is simple. During workouts, we sweat. And we sweat a lot if we’re doing it right. That means your hands become slick, which doesn’t work well with smooth surfaces. That deadlift PR you desperately want will remain a dream if you can’t hold onto the bar. Or that rock wall may feel impossible to conquer when you keep slipping off.
That’s where chalk comes in. Applying chalk before a workout that relies on grip strength will help increase your chances of success. That does not mean chalk will magically make you better. However, chalk will help you keep your grip, helping you finish your set, climb, or pull-up.
Some chalk also has natural antibacterial properties. So, you don’t have to worry so much about the germs floating around gym equipment or that guy who sneezed on the bar before you got there. It’s still best practice to wash your hands. But you can add a protective layer with chalk as well!
Liquid Chalk Vs. Dry Chalk: A Comparison
Alright, now that the basics are out of the way, let’s tackle the original question. How do you choose between liquid and dry chalk? There are a few factors to keep in mind:
Composition
The main difference between these two chalk forms lies in their unique composition. And that directly influences all the other distinguishing characteristics.
Dry chalk is exactly what it sounds like….dry and powdery. You can find it in many forms – block, loose, in a ball, or a bag. Most brands sell dry chalk made with a single ingredient – magnesium carbonate. But at Primo Chalk, we wanted to take it up a notch to ensure athletes have everything they need to be successful. So, we added an essential oil blend that is naturally anti-bacterial. We are the only company on the market to offer this innovative and proprietary feature.
Liquid chalk starts with the same magnesium carbonate base. However, it includes some form of alcohol to transform it into a liquid state. From there, any additional ingredients will vary by company. There may be some resins or other additives. At Primo, we believe so much in our essential oil blend that we added it to our liquid chalk too!
Longevity
When deep into your workout, reapplying chalk is likely the last thing on your mind. But keeping up with applications will help keep you on top of your game!
Dry chalk tends to lose its luster quickly. Some residue will stick around for a while. However, it won’t last more than a few sets when you are really working up a sweat. And that means regular reapplication. Some athletes don’t have a problem with this and will happily keep a bucket nearby for easy use. If you don’t relish the thought of constantly adding new chalk, check out the liquid form instead.
Because of its naturally tacky state, liquid chalk may last up to 20 minutes. Of course, its exact longevity depends on how hard you’re pushing!
Mess
Even if you haven’t used chalk yet, you’ve seen the fallout. It gets everywhere. Well, traditional dry chalk does. It gets in the air and on your clothes. It coats your gym bag when (not if) it spills. And it ends up all over gym floors and equipment. Dry chalk is also notoriously difficult to clean up. So many public gyms don’t allow its use.
However, the ban on dry chalk doesn’t usually extend to liquid chalk. The alcohol content of liquid chalk ensures that most of it stays where you intended…on your hands. Once each application dries, very little gets onto clothes or equipment. Plus, it is super easy to clean up in the event of a spill.
Ease of Use
In reality, both chalk forms are easy to use. The only sticking point is whether you can get a truly targeted application.
For dry chalk, you’ll either stick your hand in a bucket, dust some on from a ball, or rub a block. You will quickly and easily get coated in chalk. But….it may not land exactly where you want it to.
With liquid chalk, you squeeze a roughly dime-sized amount onto your hand. From there, you rub it where you want it. So, you stand a better chance of covering all the key grip points on your hands this way. However, unlike with dry chalk, you’re not ready to go yet. There is a short drying time involved.
Portability
Let’s face it. Dry chalk is not easy to deal with. It will coat almost everything it comes in contact with. So, keeping it sealed properly is vital. That doesn’t mean it isn’t portable, though. No, you probably don’t want to lug around a large tub of dry chalk. And that’s where our portable chalk balls come in!
That said, liquid chalk is easy to toss in your gym bag with little mess or fuss. It comes in an easy-to-use squeeze tube, so you can stash one wherever you want. The main thing to remember is that if you don’t seal it after each use, the alcohol will evaporate.
Which Form is Better for Skin?
Traditionally, liquid chalk will dry out your skin after repeated uses due to the alcohol content. Primo Chalk takes a different approach. We don’t believe in destroying hands for the sake of gains. After all, how can you set a PR if your most valuable asset is dried out or cracked? Thankfully, our proprietary essential oil blend will protect your hands whether you opt for liquid or dry chalk.
How to Choose Between Liquid and Dry Chalk?
That decision is ultimately very personal. We love both options! What you choose to use will depend on your sport, needs, and goals. Take the above factors into consideration. Of course, if you have any questions that didn’t get answered here, don’t hesitate to reach out. Our team will gladly help.
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