If you are in a hurry and just want to find out what best Crossfit chalk for consistent grip, then I’d recommend the RAGE Fitness Block Chalk as the best one.
A solid grip can completely define your Crossfit game. When sweaty hands get in the way of a perfect set, the simplest solution is to use some athletic chalk.
The best Crossfit chalk will keep your hands dry and let you focus on your workout from beginning to end.
Here are the top crossfit chalk we’ll be reviewing:
How Is Crossfit Chalk Used?
Athletic chalk is used to improve your grip. Your hands develop sweat as you exercise. A layer of chalk absorbs this moisture and keeps your hands dry while you work out.
Many climbers, gymnasts, basketball players, weight lifters, and countless other athletes rely on chalk to use their equipment safely.
Crossfit is a sport that involves many metal weights and bars. Losing your grip can result in a weight flying across the room, so it’s important to use chalk every time you work out.
Chalk is typically applied before your workout and when you take breaks. To apply chalk, rub it over your palms and shake them to get rid of any extra powder.
You should find that your hands don’t slide around as much while you lift weights, do pull-ups, and swing a kettlebell.
Don’t put the chalk directly on the bar; this can actually damage your equipment by filling the rough grip with bits of chalk.
What is Athletic Chalk Made Of?
Most athletic chalk is made of magnesium carbonate. Magnesium occurs naturally and is mined and processed to create athletic chalk.
Chalk used for drawing on sidewalks or chalkboards is not the same as athletic chalk and can’t be used as a substitute.
Don’t use baby powder, either; it feels soft like gym chalk, but it can actually make your grip worse.
The Different Types of Athletic Chalk
Athletic chalk comes in three varieties: loose chalk, block chalk, and liquid chalk.
Loose chalk is kept in a bin near the workout area. Athletes dip their hands into the bucket to cover them with chalk, shake off the excess, and get back to their routine.
This type of chalk is quick to apply and feels extremely soft. Some athletes like this texture, but others think it’s too messy and powdery.
You can also put loose chalk inside a chalk ball for easy application.
A chalk block is made of compressed chalk; to apply it, simply rub your hands across the block.
This type of chalk is significantly less messy than loose chalk, but it’s also hard to apply quickly.
Block chalk is often considered to be the best Crossfit chalk because it won’t get all over the gym.
Liquid chalk is slowly rising in popularity. Spray liquid chalk on your hands and wait a moment for it to dry.
The resulting residue will have the same grip-improving effects but won’t be nearly as dusty.
Which Chalk to Choose for Your Workout
Each type of chalk has a different texture and consistency. The best Crossfit chalk is one that feels good on your skin and keeps your grip from slipping.
You can test each chalk by applying it to your hand and lifting a small weight to see how well it increases your hold.
Loose chalk is easy to apply but quite messy.
It’s fine to use loose chalk if you work out in a home gym; but if your Crossfit training always takes place at a public gym, consider going with a chalk block or liquid chalk instead.
You’ll make less of a mess on the public equipment and won’t have to risk your chalk bin spilling all over your gym clothes.
Some gyms have a chalk bin for public use. Take advantage of these bins, but always bring a spare chalk block with you just in case.
Be considerate and keep your chalk inside the bin to make cleanup easy for the gym owner.
How Often Do You Need to Chalk Up?
In general, you should apply chalk at the beginning of your workout, when your hands become too sweaty to keep holding your weights, and when you are about to start an activity that involves a lot of lifting or grabbing.
That said, many Crossfit enthusiasts find chalking up to be an unwelcome distraction. It’s tempting to break in the middle of a set to go visit the chalk bin.
Athletes are discouraged from adopting this behavior. Chalk up when you need to, but don’t let it become a crutch for your workouts.
The best Crossfit chalk will keep your hands dry even if you can’t see it anymore.
Cleaning Up Crossfit Chalk
When you put chalk on your hands, you inevitably leave residue on everything that you touch. This includes the weights, your gym mat, the bars, and even your workout clothes.
Wipe down your equipment after you use it. A damp cloth will take chalk residue right off of any metal weights or bars.
You should also sweep off your gym mat and then give it a quick wipe down before rolling it up.
Next, wash your hands before touching anything in the locker room. You don’t want chalk all over your bag.
If you’re on gym cleanup duty, run a broom over the floor every day. Use slow, tight motions to keep from kicking chalk dust into the air.
Finally, use a vacuum to get the last bits of chalk out of your environment.
A gym that allows chalk will likely always have a little chalk in the air. Be considerate and try to make as small of a mess as possible.
The Best Crossfit Chalk Reviews
RAGE Fitness Block Chalk
RAGE Fitness brings you a simple and versatile athletic chalk. These chalk blocks are easy to use and last a long time.
The one-pound package is divided into eight individually wrapped pieces for clean and simple storage.
The RAGE Fitness Block Chalk is particularly powdery. Depending on your preferences, this may be a positive or negative feature.
Each block stays together unless you purposefully crumble it, at which point the block melts with ease.
You can break off smaller pieces if needed or crumble a block into your chalk bucket.
Pros
- This bulk package comes with eight blocks of chalk. You won’t run out for quite a while.
- The chalk inside is made of pure magnesium carbonate with no artificial colors or additives.
- The chalk has a soft texture and sticks well to your hands.
- Each block can be used as-is or crumbled to make loose chalk.
Cons
- This chalk is very powdery compared to other block chalks.
- You will need to provide your own sealed container to store opened chalk blocks.
- Chalk blocks should be stored carefully as they will break if dropped.
SPRI Chalk Block
The SPRI Chalk Block is an affordable option for standard athletic chalk. Each two-ounce block can be purchased individually or as part of a bulk package of four or eight.
List most athletic chalk, SPRI chalk is made from nothing but magnesium carbonate.
However, this company’s formula is unique and has a thin, light texture.
Although the blocks can be broken apart, they are used most effectively to draw or rub on your hands during practice.
Pros
- SPRI lets you purchase a single block of chalk as you need it.
- The chalk is uncolored and non-toxic.
- Each block holds together well and will not crumble if you grab it quickly.
- These chalk blocks only apply the desired amount of chalk and last for a long time compared to other brands.
Cons
- SPRI chalk feels lighter and dryer than other chalk blocks. This may be a disadvantage if you prefer a thick layer of chalk.
Primo Chalk
Primo Chalk revolutionizes the chalk game with a patented loose chalk blend. Each bright red bucket contains a mix of magnesium carbonate, essential oils, and Epsom salts.
While most athletic chalks dry out your hands, Primo Chalk promises to moisturize them.
This chalk is loose and very fine. The manufacturer notes that a little chalk will go a very long way; athletes are encouraged to work a very small amount of the chalk into their skin.
Primo is a great choice for Crossfit but is not recommended for rock climbing.
The mixture compromises grip in favor of texture; this is not a problem when lifting weights, but could be deadly when climbing in an extreme environment.
Pros
- Primo Chalk comes with its own distinctive resealable red chalk bucket.
- This chalk is infused with essential oils, which give off a pleasant smell.
- You only need a small amount of Primo Chalk to coat both of your hands.
- A one-pound bucket should last through many workout sessions.
- Primo Chalk has an incredibly smooth and soft texture.
- The combination of essential oils and Epsom salts will moisturize your hands during your workout.
Cons
- Primo Chalk is not made of pure magnesium carbonate; the mix includes epsom salts and essential oils.
- The moisturizing elements are not a benefit for athletes who tend to sweat a lot.
Chalk Ness Monster
The Chalk Ness Monster is a cheerful icon on each package of this hardy and versatile chalk.
Like other brands, Chalk Ness Monster sells their chalk in a convenient bulk package with eight individually wrapped pieces.
This chalk has a dry and brittle texture.
It breaks and crumbles easily. Although you can use Chalk Ness Monster in block form, it achieves its best coverage when reduced into a fine powder.
Pros
- Chalk Ness Monster comes in affordable bulk packages that will last through many workouts.
- There are no additives in the brand of chalk.
- The weight-lifting monster on every package serves as inspiration to budding athletes.
- This chalk is extra dry and great for athletes who tend to sweat a lot.
Cons
- This chalk is brittle and breaks down very quickly. The chalk blocks do not stay together as well as some athletes like.
- The chalk is not “sticky” and may not give the grip you are looking for.
- Some blocks will turn to crumbs instead of powder; this creates an inconvenient texture.
321 STRONG Loose Gym Bag
For the athlete who loves crumbling small chunks of chalk into the bucket, the 321 STRONG chalk bag is simply a delight.
Each bag is full of chunks of soft chalk that slowly break down over time.
Rub a piece on your hands, crumble it between your fingers, or simply sift through the chalk bin to get ready for your next set.
This chalk has a very traditional texture. There are no additives or moisturizers. Chalk can be applied in a thick or thin layer as needed.
Pros
- This bag of loose chalk includes both powder and chunks to appeal to a variety of athletes.
- This chalk has no pigments and is completely unscented.
- The texture is dry and powdery, which is good for training that requires a particularly strong grip.
- The chalk is very absorbent and will last without reapplication for most of your workout.
- 321 STRONG provides a resealable bag to keep the messy chalk inside of.
Cons
- This chalk is rougher and of a lower grade than other loose chalk brands.
- The chunks make it difficult to refill chalk balls and other containers.
And the Winner is…
The best Crossfit chalk is truly a matter of personal taste.
You want chalk that keeps your hands dry but doesn’t cause your skin to crack, provides enough grip to get you through your workout, and stores easily so that you aren’t constantly cleaning up a mess.
Each type of chalk may seem very similar, but the textures can be quite different. You may need to try multiple types of chalk to find your favorite.
With all of these features in mind, RAGE Fitness offers one of the best Crossfit chalk blocks on the market.
The texture is smooth, the chalk crumbles nicely, and the individually wrapped blocks are easy to store.
If you’re looking for a nice, basic chalk, RAGE Fitness will get you through your workout.
