Step into the pool and every move you make sends a message to your body. And the equipment you choose — whether it’s gloves or hand buoys — changes the way that message gets delivered.
So instead of asking, “Which is better?” the real question is “What am I training for?“
Because in Wavemakers, we’re not just exercising to get tired. We’re training with intention — building skills that carry over into everyday life. That’s the difference between working out and truly training for life.
Let’s take a closer look at two of the most common tools we use: gloves and hand buoys:
Gloves: Feel It First
Water gloves create drag, which means wearing gloves increases resistance by making your hands “bigger” in the water. But their real power isn’t about making movements harder — it’s about helping you slow down and feel.
With gloves on, you become more aware. You notice whether a motion is smooth or shaky. You might catch yourself pulling harder with one arm, or twisting your body instead of staying aligned.
That awareness is where the magic happens. Gloves are like teachers: they guide you to move better, not just more. And when you move better, your body starts to self-correct. Muscles activate in pairs, joints feel supported, and over time your form builds naturally through repetition.
The result? More confidence in how you move, in and out of the pool.
Hand Buoys: Strength That Transfers
Now let’s flip the challenge with buoyant resistance.
Small hand buoys don’t just add load, they change the rules of the game. On land, gravity resists your lift. In the pool, a buoyant buoy resists the lowering motion. It wants to float, and you have to control it.
This builds eccentric strength — the kind of strength that helps you catch yourself if you stumble, or reach without straining a shoulder. It’s about controlling movement, not just powering through it.
And because small hand buoys allow for movement in multiple directions, you get both strength and freedom. No bulky restrictions — just practical strength that transfers to daily life.
One Workout, Two Outcomes
Here’s the fun part: do the same workout with gloves one day and small buoys the next, and it feels completely different.
Your body responds in new ways. Different muscles fire. You gain fresh awareness of how resistance shapes your movement. It’s like two lessons from the same playbook — each one teaching you something new about your body.
That’s at the heart of the Back to the Pool Challenge: not just moving, but learning. Choosing the right tools for what your body needs, and training with purpose.
Ready to Train for Life?
Gloves. Buoys. Bare hands. Each has its place.
When you understand how and why to use them, every workout becomes an opportunity to build the strength, balance, and confidence that matter most in everyday life.
Join us September 7–30 for the Back to the Pool Challenge. You’ll get six guided workouts, weekly tips on equipment, and the chance to see how adding gloves or small buoys changes the way you move.
Whether you’re starting fresh, rebuilding after injury, or ready to push for more strength — this is your chance to train smarter, and feel the difference.
