Rings off for barbell work?

jayemes

I'm going in for a session with a trainer today so I can learn to use the barbell/squat cage to start SL 5x5.
I've read that it's not good to wear rings (wedding ring/engagement ring) while you lift - is that for someone starting out or is that only a thing if you're lifting heavy?

stanmann571

jayemes wrote: »

I'm going in for a session with a trainer today so I can learn to use the barbell/squat cage to start SL 5x5.
I've read that it's not good to wear rings (wedding ring/engagement ring) while you lift - is that for someone starting out or is that only a thing if you're lifting heavy?

It's largely a personal decision. When I'm doing static lifts, I don't take mine off. When I'm doing Ballistic or Olympic lifts I generally will swap in a silicone ring.

Static
Curls, Deadlift, Squat, Row, OHP. Kettlebell Getup

Ballistic
Clean, snatch, Kettlebell swing. Other compound/complex movements where the bar or handle will need to slide or rotate.

If the ring interferes with your grip or presses on a callous, You'll likely also want to remove it.

WorkerDrone83

I don't want to scratch my ring either. Plus the thought of the ring being pulled down abruptly, taking a bunch of skin with it makes me grimace.

livingleanlivingclean

I wouldn't wear a ring while lifting... I find they get in the way and get damaged. I wear a silicone ring too

KarenSmith2018

I always take mine off. Wouldn't want to damage the ring or my finger.

jayemes

Thanks everyone. I think I'll stick with safe better than sorry and take them off!

mitch16

Pardon my naivete... Why would you swap out for a silicone ring for just a workout?

I always take my rings off for weightlifting/kettlebells/TRX--the way that they sit on my finger I end up with a huge callus at the base of my finger if I wear them.

leggup

I have a silicone ring coming in today! I am a swing dancer and have been wearing a plain sterling silver band ($5 on amazon) instead of my wedding set because of fear of the stones/settings cutting people. My hand often expands at dances, or I leave the ring on all weekend at events and it's painful, so I'm hoping the silicone is better. I ordered this one in copper: https://ensorings.com/rings/thin-elements-silicone-ring/ They have sales all the time- I got mine for $29.98 shipped. Their non-elements ones (not made to look like metal) are $14 shipped and are super popular with people weightlifting on instagram, which is how I saw them.

klrenn

mitch16 wrote: »

Pardon my naivete... Why would you swap out for a silicone ring for just a workout?

I always take my rings off for weightlifting/kettlebells/TRX--the way that they sit on my finger I end up with a huge callus at the base of my finger if I wear them.

I got one at first just because I liked the idea of still having some sort of wedding ring on...I don't wear it often anymore but it seemed that guys were less likely to bother me when I had it on.

Now I go to the gym at an earlier much quieter time where everyone is just putting their head down and getting their workout done, so I don't really feel the need. Just leave my rings at home.

stanmann571

mitch16 wrote: »

Pardon my naivete... Why would you swap out for a silicone ring for just a workout?

I always take my rings off for weightlifting/kettlebells/TRX--the way that they sit on my finger I end up with a huge callus at the base of my finger if I wear them.

Because, I made a vow, and the ring in public is a declaration of that commitment.

Bottom line is the ring doesn't come off. It matters to me.

H_Ock12

When I was wearing a ring, I wore it during lifting and scratched it up pretty bad...even managed to tear a corner off of it and ripped my finger skin. Now my young, arthritic joints don't allow for much ring wearing at all so I definitely lift ringless as my joints and hands swell while I'm lifting.

JoRocka

As if it would make you less married.

You made a vow to the person- the ring is merely a physical symbol of that. If a taking off a piece of metal means your broke your vow- then I would strongly question why you were wearing it in the first place.

Personally I'm with you @mitch16 I think putting on a silicone ring to workout is pointless- it's one more thing to keep track of - and they eventually just break. I also believe a ring is pretty much pointless. the words and intent matter more to me than a trivial piece of metal.

I'm married. and fairly recently too- IMHO it's pointless. I'm no less married by removing a ring. I rarely wear mine- I work out side in construction and on boats.- and I frequently go straight to the gym- the rings are safer at home in their box on most days than they are with me.

jemhh

I remove my rings while lifting and running. I don't want them scratched. Also, depending on the weather, my fingers will swell or shrink, making my rings either a bit uncomfortable or likely to slip off, while exercising.

mitch16

JoRocka wrote: »

As if it would make you less married.

You made a vow to the person- the ring is merely a physical symbol of that. If a taking off a piece of metal means your broke your vow- then I would strongly question why you were wearing it in the first place.

Personally I'm with you @mitch16 I think putting on a silicone ring to workout is pointless- it's one more thing to keep track of - and they eventually just break. I also believe a ring is pretty much pointless. the words and intent matter more to me than a trivial piece of metal.

I'm married. and fairly recently too- IMHO it's pointless. I'm no less married by removing a ring. I rarely wear mine- I work out side in construction and on boats.- and I frequently go straight to the gym- the rings are safer at home in their box on most days than they are with me.

It just never occurred to me. I've been married for 22 years and whether the ring is on or off I am committed to my husband--the ring is symbolic, but not the end-all be-all. Although--even when the ring is off (I don't wear it at the riding stable, when I'm surfing/swimming in open water, when I'm cycling, when I'm doing major yard work...) there is still the tan line and the narrowing of my finger where the ring was--it's my virtual ring!

JoRocka

Yeah- it's just another thing to spend your money on IMHO.

I never have understood them.

jemhh

I think I might want a silicone ring if I had a job where having a metal ring could possibly cause problems (e.g., construction, etc.) I like wearing my rings so I could see wanting to wear something during that 40-odd hours per week in their place. But 90 minutes or so a day without a ring isn't a big deal to me so I wouldn't get one for exercise. Also, I'm not implying that somebody who doesn't want one doesn't like wearing a ring. Just to each his own I guess.

ninerbuff

I dumped my ring after wearing it 2 months after getting married. The whole ring thing "as a sign of love and fidelity" is stupid. A ring just indicates you're married (possibly). It doesn't indicate you're happy in your marriage. It also doesn't indicate actually fidelity or love.

And one can be totally faithful and honest WITHOUT one. If it feels like it's in the way of working out, take it off.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

cmriverside

Can't you just put the ring on a chain around your neck? Then you're still wearing it (for you won't-take-it-off folks.)

FatWithFatness

rings don't plug holes...

Bianca42

I started out just taking my rings off before heading to the gym. Turns out, I'm horrible at remembering to put them back on. I'll notice when I'm out of the house and my finger feels naked. So, not I swap for a silicone ring and then swap back. I know that I'm still just as married without it...but it makes me happy. (I put on the silicone ring before heading out Tuesday night and I'm still wearing it. Oops.)

pbandwine

i never wear rings when I work out

GottaBurnEmAll

I stopped wearing my wedding rings a few years back when my metal allergies extended to everything and they just made me itch too much.

I could get a silicone band, I suppose, but I know I'm married.

I can't imagine trying to lift weights with a ring on.

cwolfman13

I don't think I've ever worn rings working out...seems very uncomfortable.

TR0berts

I take mine off: I don't want to scratch it and I don't want it pushing/pulling on skin during any lifts.

idioblast

I have a bunch of silicon bands in different colors (I like to switch them out every once in awhile). At first, I would swap them out for my original rings after exercising, but now I pretty much wear them 24/7 and swap with my rings for nicer events. I don't think my husband has worn his original ring in a year or two now. To each his own, but I love my silicon rings!

IILikeToMoveItMoveIt

I wear a silicon ring. It just feels weird not wearing a ring. Along the same lines as when my long nails break or are trimmed too short. Just feels weird....

deputy_randolph

I don't take my wedding ring to the gym period. It was expensive and don't want to have it stolen. Men aren't asking me out anyway...earbuds plus a mean face prevent that.

hesn92

I don't understand the silicone ring thing either. I could understand for someone who can't wear their wedding ring all day (like if they work construction or something) but just for working out? That seems silly. I actually wear my wedding/engagement rings to the gym but only because I don't want to leave them in my locker. Now that I bought a padlock I probably will start taking them off. I find it doesn't cause issues with my grip but still.

hesn92

JoRocka wrote: »

Yeah- it's just another thing to spend your money on IMHO.

I never have understood them.

I don't understand them either. Like taking your ring off for an hour is going to make you less committed to your husband/wife. By the way i recognize you from wedding wire Bahahaha same screen name same picture??

leggup

hesn92 wrote: »

JoRocka wrote: »

Yeah- it's just another thing to spend your money on IMHO.

I never have understood them.

I don't understand them either. Like taking your ring off for an hour is going to make you less committed to your husband/wife. By the way i recognize you from wedding wire Bahahaha same screen name same picture??

It's not about being less committed, it's about getting less attention (for me). At the gym people like to socialize and I never wanted to lead anyone on. For my regular activity, I go dancing for hours at a time and people there are sometimes looking to date, so it's good to have that hand as a signal, but my real rings are stabby. Sometimes I go to weekend dance events as well-- days and days.

JoRocka

hesn92 wrote: »

JoRocka wrote: »

Yeah- it's just another thing to spend your money on IMHO.

I never have understood them.

I don't understand them either. Like taking your ring off for an hour is going to make you less committed to your husband/wife. By the way i recognize you from wedding wire Bahahaha same screen name same picture??

AccurateAF- it's the same person.

leggup wrote: »

hesn92 wrote: »

JoRocka wrote: »

Yeah- it's just another thing to spend your money on IMHO.

I never have understood them.

I don't understand them either. Like taking your ring off for an hour is going to make you less committed to your husband/wife. By the way i recognize you from wedding wire Bahahaha same screen name same picture??

It's not about being less committed, it's about getting less attention (for me). At the gym people like to socialize and I never wanted to lead anyone on. For my regular activity, I go dancing for hours at a time and people there are sometimes looking to date, so it's good to have that hand as a signal, but my real rings are stabby. Sometimes I go to weekend dance events as well-- days and days.

"no I'm not interested" doesn't work for you?