CHALK

76. CHALK The body's primary cooling mechanism is to release water to the skin surface in the form of sweat. While sweat does wonders for cooling the body, it plays havoc with gripping sports. The next time you watch a gymnastics competition take a close look at the hands of the athletes. They are virtually white with chalk. Weightlifting is like gymnastics in that a firm grip is an absolute must on all the exercises. Chalk is cheap ($2 to S3 for a six-inch block) and makes an excellent training aid for drying sweat and giving you a better grip. Just check with your gym's policy on chalk before buying. Some gyms don't allow chalk as it messes the floor.