Product Review: Primo Chalk Balls

Rhi Reynolds

If you ask anyone where I train in the gym, they usually just point to the area of the gym with loose chalk speckled all over the floor. Even the club manager has approached me and asked me to clean up my mess when I’m done. The thing is, I am as careful with the chalk as possible! I can’t help that the chalk blocks I bought are crumbly and messy. The only way around avoiding my chalk disaster is to stop Olympic weightlifting, but clearly that’s not an option.

I decided to try something new. I bought a pack of Primo Chalk Balls from 3SixtyAthletics.The idea of contained chalk in a cotton pouch just seemed best compared to my typical grocery store bag full of chalk chunks. I couldn’t believe the difference. I know, I know, I bet you’re all thinking how much of a difference there can be between chalk brands. But the disparity between the two was astonishing! Here are the main things I noticed:

• I didn’t need nearly as much Primo chalk as I did with the classic chalk blocks. A little went a long way, as opposed to having to chalk my hands for every lift. That gets old after a while.  It felt as though my hands had less chalk on them, but my grip was tighter.  Amazing.

•  The chalk dust was kept to a minimum. There was no “chalk cloud” when I put the chalk on this time. No inhalation of chalk fumes, either! I easily rubbed the chalk on and it stuck right to my hands.

• Primo chalk didn’t just allow me to stick to the bar, it made my hands feel great. My hands didn’t get cracked and dry like they did from the other chalk. The chalk is softer and much more fine.  My hands are already ripped up enough from weightlifting, so I didn’t need any more help with that. With Primo chalk, I am confident that it will be able to prevent future hand rippage! (Editors Note: Rhi’s hands weren’t ripping because of the essential oils Primo adds to their chalk!  The combination of essential oils protects your skin and inhibits the growth of bacteria, virus, and fungi.)

Overall, I would highly recommend Primo Chalk to Crossfitters, gymnasts, and weightlifters alike. Although only a small part of what we all do, the small pieces are what add up to the bigger picture nonetheless. If each athlete can improve their grip without cracking their much needed hands, I don’t see why anything other than Primo chalk should be used.