Calluses on your hands

[Emilia]

I've been weight lifting/weight training using heavier and heavier weights and calluses on my hands (at the base of my fingers) are getting bigger. I pick at them when the dry skin builds up too much, what do you do to keep them in check? I read somewhere that using pumice stone or something similar is best. I'm guessing combining that with moisturising should work well? I'm not looking to start wearing gloves.

 

Thank you.

[AlexDP]

I've been weight lifting/weight training using heavier and heavier weights and calluses on my hands (at the base of my fingers) are getting bigger. I pick at them when the dry skin builds up too much, what do you do to keep them in check? I read somewhere that using pumice stone or something similar is best. I'm guessing combining that with moisturising should work well? I'm not looking to start wearing gloves.

 

Thank you.

 

First check if you're gripping the bar correctly. Don't hold it in the palm of your hand too much, but first curl your fingers around it, then grip it where your fingers meet your hands. It's not only a good grip, but also prevents most calluses.

[Emilia]

First check if you're gripping the bar correctly. Don't hold it in the palm of your hand too much, but first curl your fingers around it, then grip it where your fingers meet your hands. It's not only a good grip, but also prevents most calluses.

 

Thanks, I'll pay more attention but I think thinking about it, I have been sort of doing that already during deadlifts for example because I've found that my grip is more secure if I curl my fingers around the bar first.

 

I still use presses - rather than just free weight - I think that's when the worst happens. I'll try to grip them differently.

[Titanwolf]

Thanks, I'll pay more attention but I think thinking about it, I have been sort of doing that already during deadlifts for example because I've found that my grip is more secure if I curl my fingers around the bar first.

 

I still use presses - rather than just free weight - I think that's when the worst happens. I'll try to grip them differently.

 

Are you using padded training gloves? they're meant to prevent that. I put talcum powder on my hands before I slip on my gloves and my hands have remained as feminine as ever

 

Edit- You said no gloves lol. Unless the bar is completely smoothed out metal, I'm not really sure how to prevent the ridges from damaging your hands.

[EasyHeart]

DON'T PICK IT!!!

 

You need those callouses. You'll get used to them after a while and not even notice they're there. It's like guitar players having callouses on their fingertips; they're there for a reason.

[AlexDP]

Are you using padded training gloves? they're meant to prevent that. I put talcum powder on my hands before I slip on my gloves and my hands have remained as feminine as ever

 

Edit- You said no gloves lol. Unless the bar is completely smoothed out metal, I'm not really sure how to prevent the ridges from damaging your hands.

 

Gloves are fine when you're on the machines, but when you're working with free weights it's stupid. You should always try to grip the bar as hard as possible. For some reason, I have no idea why, this primes the body for performance. You can really feel the difference.

[Emilia]

I don't pick them too hard, just the dead skin from the top, the white stuff. I read somewhere that if you don't keep calluses under control, they can rip eventually? I don't mind having them just don't want them to split or get the soft skin exposed underneath.

 

I'm not looking to wear gloves because I think I can feel my grip better, it gives me more confidence not to wear gloves.

[thembones]

I'm not looking to wear gloves because I think I can feel my grip better, it gives me more confidence not to wear gloves.

 

If your hands are getting messed up, just wear gloves!! How does it give you more confidence not wearing them? Your hands will thank you, seriously... they won't hurt you during "alone time w/ Rosie Palms". Just make sure they are padded.

 

It is that simple. Preventing them will make them go away.

[MonsterMash]

Corn Huskers Lotion works to keep your hands soft. Its kinda expensive and hard to find, but its the best.

[MonsterMash]

If your hands are getting messed up, just wear gloves!! How does it give you more confidence not wearing them? Your hands will thank you, seriously... they won't hurt you during "alone time w/ Rosie Palms". Just make sure they are padded.

 

It is that simple. Preventing them will make them go away.

 

I understand it. Padded gloves changes your grip. I don't like them either. Especially under a heavy bench.

[Emilia]

If your hands are getting messed up, just wear gloves!! How does it give you more confidence not wearing them?

 

My hands are not getting messed up, far from it. I think it's good to have them a bit tougher though but I'm getting the impression that your perspective is different from mine. I strength train rather than body build.

 

Corn Huskers Lotion works to keep your hands soft. Its kinda expensive and hard to find, but its the best.

 

I'm going to try the pumice stone & moisturiser combination, I think that will work.

 

I understand it. Padded gloves changes your grip. I don't like them either. Especially under a heavy bench.

 

that's it

[AlexDP]

If your hands are getting messed up, just wear gloves!! How does it give you more confidence not wearing them? Your hands will thank you, seriously... they won't hurt you during "alone time w/ Rosie Palms". Just make sure they are padded.

 

It is that simple. Preventing them will make them go away.

 

You don't deadlift, I take?

[Crusoe]

I don't pick them too hard, just the dead skin from the top, the white stuff. I read somewhere that if you don't keep calluses under control, they can rip eventually? I don't mind having them just don't want them to split or get the soft skin exposed underneath.

 

I'm not looking to wear gloves because I think I can feel my grip better, it gives me more confidence not to wear gloves.

 

My hands and fingers are nothing but callus, some of them the size of a 50 pence piece and a quarter inch deep. I usually leave them because they protect me through work. When they get big enough to interfere with holding my tools properly I usually use scissors or a grinding wheel. Picking them often just encourages more callus as new skin will grow over the frayed edges and leave the hard skin embedded. If you want off, it's either sand or snip.

 

They can rip/spilt eventually but usually need some hefty calluses and very cold weather. If you have soft skin underneath there is not much chance of it happening. It's when the callus goes right down to the flesh and there is no elasticity. Then, when they do go, it's right down to the flesh and you know all about it when that happens.

 

The proper Norwegian fisherman gloop is best to soften things up. A lot of companies claim to know the formula and advertise as the real deal but it's not quite the same. I can't remember what the proper stuff is called as I haven't used it in donkeys. Will try to find out if you like but I doubt you would need the heavy duty gear anyway.

[Emilia]

Thanks Crusoe, no I don't think I need the heavy duty stuff. I'll take Alex's advice on more carefully using my grip and yours and Monter's on some form of greasy moisturiser and I'll just scrub it down from time to time when they bother me.

[MonsterMash]

Something I forgot to mention that may help. Look at Wal Mart or Rite Aid in the section where they have the Ace bandages and knee wraps. There is a company called Mueller that makes a wrist wrap fingerless glove. As we discussed before, I dislike padded palms as it changes my grip...but I needed a wrist support because I've broken both wrists at different times in my life and it was getting hard to bench without some support.

 

Now the actual glove part is a thin, synthetic material. It doesn't change your grip in any way...but it actually gives you a more secure grip on the bar IMO. They are inexpensive too. I think I only paid like 8 bucks for a pair.

 

You may not need the wrist support...but there would be something between your hands and the bar to slow down the callous growth.

[Emilia]

To be honest wrist support could come handy with my front squats. They don't hurt my wrists because I think my technique is correct but I'm a bit apprehensive when it comes to increasing the weight.

[MonsterMash]

Here they are. The flesh color is kinda ghey, but I'm secure in my manhood.

 

Mueller Sports Medicine - Compression Gloves

[Emilia]

I suppose they are not concerned over the colour range. Thanks!

[AlexDP]

To be honest wrist support could come handy with my front squats. They don't hurt my wrists because I think my technique is correct but I'm a bit apprehensive when it comes to increasing the weight.

 

But this wouldn't be about calluses then? Because if your technique is correct, you're hardly gripping the bar at all with front squats..

 

I got to say, your choice of exercises is excellent for a girl! You do glute ham raises too?

[Biscous]

Gloves help, but calluses actually improve your grip, but I understand if you're a woman and don't want them.

 

Me I'm just a weightlifter, powerlifter, and martial artist so don't listen to me if you don't want calluses on your hands

[Emilia]

but this wouldn't be about calluses then? Because if your technique is correct, you're hardly gripping the bar at all with front squats..

Wrist support just came up as by-the-way

 

I got to say, your choice of exercises is excellent for a girl! You do glute ham raises too?

 

For a girl, eh? My choices are related to what's required for work. I was thinking about glutes/ham more today but not yet.

[Emilia]

Gloves help, but calluses actually improve your grip, but I understand if you're a woman and don't want them.

 

Me I'm just a weightlifter, powerlifter, and martial artist so don't listen to me if you don't want calluses on your hands

 

I thought I said quite the opposite in the whole thread. But don't listen to me I'm just a woman

[Hawaii50]

Always had the philosophy that if you want the body you have to deal with the hands. Aren't too many ways around it. Gloves, cornhuskers is great, and me.. i tend to cut 'em off, but they come right back after a few back sessions.

[Emilia]

Yes don't disagree

[AlexDP]

Wrist support just came up as by-the-way

 

 

 

For a girl, eh? My choices are related to what's required for work. I was thinking about glutes/ham more today but not yet.

 

For a girl, as I don't see too many girls coming near free weights, let alone a barbell.