Dumbbells, finders, and rings... oh my!

allother94

I started using dumbbells for the first time about three months ago. I’ve noticed my wedding ring feels tighter. I’m wondering if my fingers are gaining muscle and getting bigger from the gripping.

If this is happening, did anyone else go through this? How did you handle it? Buy a bigger ring every so often?

Thanks!

allother94

It is so painful...

corinasue1143

No, but my fingers swell from inflammation if I grip something too hard or too long, along with exercise in general (I have a touch of arthritis that may add to it).
I don’t wear rings, so no help there.

MikePTY

I haven't personally noticed lifting or dumbbells making my fingers feel bigger or my ring fit tighter.

Do you lift with your ring on? I take mine off before going to the gym.

Theoldguy1

I take my ring off at the gym. I've been married 35 years and lifting all that time. Basically the same weight, same wedding ring as when we got married.

Thinking you may be having an issue with swelling

lorrpb

Have you gained weight overall? Even 5-10 lbs can make your tings feel tighter.
Good job on the workouts!

sijomial

Fingers don't really have muscles - the muscles that move your fingers are in your hand and connected to fingers by tendons.

It's not muscle related so you are looking at swelling instead. Personally I wouldn't ever wear rings when lifting.

AnnPT77

If the ring is a little tight to start, and you get a bit of swelling in extremities during the exercise (not unusual), the ring may simply be preventing normal circulation from taking down that bit of swelling in your finger, so the ring fits even tighter for a while.

I know that some people prefer to never, ever take off their wedding ring, as part of the compact (my mom was like that). If that's not part of how you think of it, I'd suggest removing it while working out. If you want to always have it on your body, you could consider putting it on a sturdy chain with a good catch, and wearing it around your neck, tucked under your shirt . . . if it won't get in your way or strangle you!