Liquid Chalk - Sports

Sports

Liquid chalk can be a variation of the normal chalk (see: magnesium carbonate) used to improve grip for sports such as rock climbing, weight lifting, or gymnastics. It is preferred by some athletes because it remains effective longer and leaves less residue on rocks and equipment.

Uses

Rock climbers use liquid chalk to prevent their hands from sweating in situations where normal chalk or pof are inadequate. In particular:

• Bouldering - some bouldering problems take longer than normal chalk can hold, so in these cases liquid chalk can be used.
• Competition - in competition climbing every hold counts, so using liquid chalk may allow competitive climbers to take fewer chalk breaks, leading to a better result.
• Indoor - due to the powder dusts caused by the use of chalk, pure Magnesium carbonate is forbidden in many gyms. However, most gyms still allow chalk balls and liquid chalk.
• Outdoor - chalk or pof deposits on natural rock formations are considered ecologically harmful and in many climbing locations, the use of chalk or pof for climbing is strictly forbidden. Where chalk is allowed, environmentally conscious climbers may choose to use liquid chalk because it allows them to use less chalk, thereby causing less damage.

In other sports, it may not make much sense to use liquid chalk, because rechalking can be done more easily between sets or rounds. However, some gyms require liquid chalk because it leaves less residue on equipment.