Question: Calluses when lifting

bornofthorns

So I have been lifting awhile, and recently have switched over to more free weights. That being said, the calluses (which I consider a badge of honor) have really been going to the next level. I am trying not to be the gloves guy and tough it out, but maybe that is the only real option. Any suggestions for dealing with this?

JoRocka

a pumice stone

Leadfoot_Lewis

There's no shame in wearing gloves, especially if you're using them to protect existing callouses from opening. Personally I'd much rather have someone wear gloves then have their torn callouses bleeding all over the weights.

MaeRenee94

I peel mine off.
If you really can't stand it because of pain try straps for pulling exercise.

thinklivebefree

Soak your hand in warm water, clip them with a cuticle nipper or cutter, file them down with a pumice stone, and then when youre not lifting get the moisturize them hands lol... Mine started bleeding a few days ago so I bought some "Foot Rehab" cream for elbows and knees but it keeps my hand moisturize for a few hours!

bornofthorns

Thanks guys! Sounds like maybe I am earning a trip to the spa once a month with all of this pumice stone, clipping and warm water in my future!

HelloDan

As the above few posters have said, take care of the callouses.

No point leaving them as a badge of honour, as all that will happen is that eventually they will tear off, diminishing your lifting ability. Some consider thick callouses and ripping them and bleeding the ultimate badge of honour, but I'm more concerned with performance, and think this is a bit foolish.

rjmwx81

Or you could just buy some gloves and not worry about it. Personally, the improved grip allows me to lift more, so I really don't care if strangers at the gym think I'm weak for wearing them. It's my workout and my hands, not theirs, so they can piss off.

No_Finish_Line

either its too uncomfortable and you wear gloves or you just deal with it, not sure why you need the peanut gallory to tell you that.

I've noticed that dumbells with a more aggressive grip texture tend to produce more of a calluse, if that helps at all.

i've never known anyone IRL thats torn calluses just through weight lifting, thought that was more of a gymnast thing but i guess it happens.

No_Finish_Line

As the above few posters have said, take care of the callouses.

No point leaving them as a badge of honour, as all that will happen is that eventually they will tear off, diminishing your lifting ability. Some consider thick callouses and ripping them and bleeding the ultimate badge of honour, but I'm more concerned with performance, and think this is a bit foolish.

i've never experinced this. mine just get thicker or thinner. i'd have to sit there with a razor blade to try to tear them off.

No_Finish_Line

Soak your hand in warm water, clip them with a cuticle nipper or cutter, file them down with a pumice stone, and then when youre not lifting get the moisturize them hands lol... Mine started bleeding a few days ago so I bought some "Foot Rehab" cream for elbows and knees but it keeps my hand moisturize for a few hours!

just a guess, but maybe if you don't pic at them with a nail clipper then maybe they wont bleed.

If your actively trying to get them off, i can see it being painful and bleeding. If you just leave them alone, i don't see what the issue is.

I didn't think the guy wanted to know how to get rid of them. I've heard soaking a cloth in lemon juice or something with a lot of citrus acid and then leaving the cloth on the calluse over night will help break it down to where moisturiser will be effective

cwolfman13

Gloves are definitely an option...but I'd also check the grip for pulling exercises. If you're gripping too much in your palm and wrapping your whole hand around the bar you're going to get callouses...if you're using more of your fingers curled shouldn't be too much of an issue...of course, straps come in handy as well.

usmcmp

I used to apply nail hardening polish to the calluses. Now they are thick patches of smooth skin.

Joannesmith2818

My boyfriend has some pretty massive calluses from both rowing and weights, and I have tried to encourage him to wear gloves for a long time. Not because I mind personally, but because they crack and become so sore and he complains about it constantly. But apparently for rowing....no one wears gloves (by gloves I means appropriate rowing gloves not wooly mittens) because its seen as weak or some bull crap. As for weightlifting....I dont no. Maybe he is just stubborn.

Just try some gloves...I mean who really cares what anyone thinks! I think they look quite fetching and id rather not have my tits grated off by my boyfriends hands!

Loss4TheWin

If you're going to wear gloves, make sure they match your purse. :laugh:

...that was just a joke by the way. I don't wear gloves, but I'm considering it. Even with a pumice stone and lots of moisturizing, I'm only just barely keeping the calluses on the soft side and I do a lot of massage - soft hands = a better massage in my opinion.

HelloDan

i've never experinced this. mine just get thicker or thinner. i'd have to sit there with a razor blade to try to tear them off.

Maybe you're just lucky. My advice comes from my weightlifting coach, but is commonly repeated by most top level weightlifting coaches.

No_Finish_Line

i've never experinced this. mine just get thicker or thinner. i'd have to sit there with a razor blade to try to tear them off.

Maybe you're just lucky. My advice comes from my weightlifting coach, but is commonly repeated by most top level weightlifting coaches.

what advice are you referring too?

your advocating actively trying to remove them? seems like a painful waste of time.

I have experienced the cracking mentioned in another post. never bleed if i wasn't picking at it.

bornofthorns

I think that the gloves are probably a good plan. I will give it a couple of more days to see if they sort of regulate themselves, but if not, I will be picking up some proper lifting gloves this weekend.

VaTechM3

I deal with this issue all the time and I usually rip doing pull ups or variations of (Kips, toe to bar, strict, etc.) and they are certainly something that you need to stay on top of.

I have only been using a pumice stone for a while once the callus forms and is hard enough to file down. I would not recommend cutting them if they are not already open, and even that is still debatable.

I did a quick google search on callus maintenance related to crossfit and got some really good information when I was having this same issue.

If you don't feel like dealing with all the maintenance to keep them from ripping, throw on a pair of gloves and get back to work. Now with my ripped callus, I've got to spend extra time taping my hands up so they will heal and hopefully not impede any of my workouts.

No_Finish_Line

I deal with this issue all the time and I usually rip doing pull ups or variations of (Kips, toe to bar, strict, etc.) and they are certainly something that you need to stay on top of.

I have only been using a pumice stone for a while once the callus forms and is hard enough to file down. I would not recommend cutting them if they are not already open, and even that is still debatable.

I did a quick google search on callus maintenance related to crossfit and got some really good information when I was having this same issue.

If you don't feel like dealing with all the maintenance to keep them from ripping, throw on a pair of gloves and get back to work. Now with my ripped callus, I've got to spend extra time taping my hands up so they will heal and hopefully not impede any of my workouts.

which came first? the taring or the pumice stone?

JoRocka

I personally would never wear gloves- I don't like the lack of feel on the bar- but mine pinch and rip long before I Get to them- that's the point of the pumice stone. The ones on my fingers- at the first knuckle past the palm (the middle one) i have two thick ones on my middle and ring finger- those are pinched quiet a bit on deads/pull ups.

if you take care of them before they get to big- they won't do all those nasty things listed above.

I have definitely pinched and torn dead lifting with my callouses- it's a thing- also if you are doing power lifts... you can tear.

This is no new information- lots of people have issue with this.