Chalk

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Gym chalk is magnesium carbonate that you rub onto your hands to keep them dry and hold the bar, kettlebell or climbing hold more securely. Supps247 currently stocks Ultimate Grip Pro, a low-dust magnesium carbonate chalk in a 200 g resealable pouch, for lifters, CrossFit athletes, gymnasts and climbers.

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Chalk: buying guide

What chalk does

Sweaty hands slip. Chalk absorbs moisture on your palms and fingers, so your grip is less likely to fail before the muscles you are training. It is especially useful on deadlifts, pull-ups, kettlebell swings, Olympic lifts and climbing, and on bars with worn knurling.

Chalk or lifting straps?

  • Chalk keeps your own grip working. It suits most sets and is permitted in many sports.
  • Lifting straps take grip out of the equation on very heavy pulls or long sets. See our lifting straps.

Many lifters use chalk for most sets and save straps for the heaviest work.

Is chalk allowed in competition?

In powerlifting, the International Powerlifting Federation's 2026 technical rules list magnesium carbonate among the only substances that may be applied to the body and attire, but not to wrist wraps or the underside of footwear. Other sports and federations have their own rules, so check before competition day.

How to use gym chalk

  • Apply a small amount to your palms and the contact areas of your fingers before a set.
  • Rub it in evenly and tap off the excess to keep dust down.
  • Reapply as needed during your session.
  • Reseal the pouch after use to keep the chalk dry.
  • Check your gym's policy, as some gyms limit loose chalk or ask you to use it over a bucket or mat.

Choosing chalk

  • Form. Chalk comes as loose powder, blocks and liquid. Check which types your gym allows.
  • Packaging. A resealable pouch keeps chalk dry and limits mess in your bag.
  • Dust. Low-dust formulas are easier on shared gym floors and equipment.

Looking after your hands

Chalk dries the skin, so wash your hands after training and use a moisturiser if your palms crack. Keeping calluses smooth helps prevent them catching and tearing on the bar.

Our chalk

  • Ultimate Grip Pro: magnesium carbonate chalk in a 200 g resealable pouch, described as a low-dust formula.

Related categories

Sources: IPF Technical Rulebook 2026.

Order online with Australia-wide delivery, free on orders of $100 or more, or visit a Supps247 store in Melbourne, regional Victoria or Brisbane to compare products in person before you buy. Members can use our price match guarantee on full-priced items.

Chalk: questions and answers

What is gym chalk made of?
Most gym chalk is magnesium carbonate, a fine white powder that absorbs moisture from your hands. Ultimate Grip Pro, the chalk we stock, is made with magnesium carbonate and comes in a 200 g resealable pouch. It is not the same as blackboard chalk, which is usually made from different materials.
Is chalk allowed in powerlifting competitions?
Yes, in International Powerlifting Federation competition. The 2026 IPF technical rules list magnesium carbonate among the only substances that may be added to the body and attire. It may not be put on wrist wraps or on the underside of footwear, where only a spray of water is allowed. Check your own federation's rulebook before competing.
How much chalk should I use?
Less than you might think. Apply a small amount to your palms and the parts of your fingers that touch the bar, rub it in, then tap off the excess. Reapply when your hands start to feel damp. Using too much creates dust without adding grip, and many gyms ask members to keep chalk use tidy.
Should I use chalk or lifting straps?
Use chalk for most training, because it keeps your own grip working while stopping sweaty hands from slipping. Lifting straps are better for very heavy or high-rep pulling sets when your grip fails before your back or legs. Chalk is permitted in powerlifting competition under IPF rules, so it is worth learning to lift with it.
Is liquid chalk better than powder chalk?
Neither is better for everyone. Liquid chalk is chalk mixed into a quick-drying liquid, usually alcohol based, that leaves a thin layer on your hands with very little dust, which is why some gyms that limit loose chalk allow it. Powder chalk is quicker to top up between sets. We currently stock powder: Ultimate Grip Pro, a low-dust magnesium carbonate chalk in a 200 g resealable pouch. Some lifters and climbers apply liquid chalk as a base layer and powder on top. If your gym restricts chalk, ask which type it allows.

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