If you’re working out in the water and wondering which tool is better — gloves or hand buoys — the answer is: both. But the why (and when) really matters.
Each tool works your body differently. Understanding how they interact with the water can help you get more from every move and prevent unnecessary strain.
Let’s break it down:
Water Gloves = Drag-Based Resistance
Gloves create resistance by increasing the surface area of your hands. As you push through water in any direction, you’re met with drag, which makes your muscles work both ways.
That means:
- You’re training muscle pairs evenly (biceps + triceps, chest + back)
- You’re improving joint balance and coordination
- You’re staying low-impact while gaining full-body strength
This push-pull pattern is one reason aquatic exercise is so joint-friendly. What’s even better — you don’t need to know which muscles are weak, the water tells you.
Hand Buoys = Buoyancy-Based Resistance
Buoys are different. They resist submersion. They want to float, so you have to actively press them down, hold them under control, and manage their rebound.
This creates:
- A reversed resistance pattern compared to land
- A greater challenge to your stabilizers (core, shoulders)
- A cardio and strength combo, especially with intervals
With small hand buoys, you get the best of both worlds: the freedom to move across all planes of motion and enough resistance to build endurance without losing form.
So, Which Should You Use?
- Start with gloves if you're new to water workouts, dealing with joint pain, or working on form and balance.
- Add hand buoys when you're ready to increase intensity, build strength, or try cardio intervals.
Better yet? Alternate between them. You can do the same workout with gloves one day and buoys the next, and you’ll activate different muscles with every switch.
See a video of arm curls using hand buoys.
Water tools aren’t about making things harder. They’re about creating options—so you can feel stronger, move better, and stay consistent.
Ready to try both? Explore Wavemakers workouts — easy-going, results-focused sessions that will change the way you move for good.
