callused hands... ouch

LauraFouhse

I recently started weight lifting and have developed some pretty lovely calluses on my hands. I don't mind the calluses too much but today when I was doing a deadlift one of the calluses ripped off and OUCH that hurts.

Any suggestions for minimizing calluses or what to do with a ripped one? Will it heal faster if I clip the loose skin off? Currently I've just stuck it back together and it seems to be re-joining.

My trainer doesn't recommend gloves cuz he says it interferes with grip and there was another reason that I forget.

navyrigger46

I don't do gloves, I do clip loose skin from them and I also use chalk and have not had any tear offs. Additionally, I'm very mindful of my grip, ensure that your skin isn't pinching under the bar to the extent that you can.

Rigger

LianaG1115

Nothing you can do to reduce them, just cut them off is what my trainer says to do. I've also developed them and he said that cutting them down reduces the ripping, that will do the most damage as opposed to cutting them off. LOL me, I'm a damn princess and I couldn't bear the thought of cutting them off, I bought a foot buffer and use that on them, it helps... Oh and we don't use gloves either, for the same reason.

pjcookery

Hi there. I'd suggest getting a pumice stone to sand your calluses off. I keep one in the shower and wet the stone before scrubbing away the skin. Just scrape off as much of the calluses as you can without causing pain. Stick with those deadlifts, they are one of the best movements you can do!

MyChocolateDiet

heh.

Alidecker

Nothing you can do to reduce them, just cut them off is what my trainer says to do. I've also developed them and he said that cutting them down reduces the ripping, that will do the most damage as opposed to cutting them off. LOL me, I'm a damn princess and I couldn't bear the thought of cutting them off, I bought a foot buffer and use that on them, it helps... Oh and we don't use gloves either, for the same reason.

This is what I do, but I have been lifting for a while now and I don't seem to notice as much.

Ely82010

A lot of people don't like to workout with gloves because of the grip but in my opinion that is bull. I wear gloves with free weights and machines because I don't like calluses, specially when the skin rips off because it turns into a source of infection, specially while handling equipment in the gym.

Some people believe that calluses are a badge of honor but I don't. They are an inconvenience and I like my hands smooth; I am having enough problems with my OA to add to it. Actually the gloves help me a lot with the grip because they are like a cushion and protect my thumb joints

So as you can see, I am not of help. Sorry.

Loss4TheWin

Upkeep. I do massage therapy, so gotta keep my hands in tip-top and can't have calluses ripping off - open skin on the hands and giving massage is a big no-no for health and safety. Lotion every time you wash your hands and pumice stone in the shower and you'll be right as rain.

I also paraffin as often as possible - nothing gives you strong silky soft skin like a dip in some paraffin wax.

No_Finish_Line

i never had this probablem, even when i did a double split for like a year straight.

i don't do much powerlift type moves though, perhaps thats why.

i did used to get calluses pretty bad, at one point the entire pad of my under the first set of knuckles was one callus.
it would crack and flake and sometimes be noticably uncomfortable, but i never had it rip off or bleed

I wouldn't think cutting it off would be comforting, but if the alternative is it ripping off then i suppose so. the pumice stone sounds like a better idea.

I would say get a pair of gloves. Are training for a competition? does it really make a big difference if you happen to do one less rep now and then because 'gloves cause grip issues'? I am assuming your working out to look and feel good, probably the comfort of not having calluses would trump the probably negligable conditioning benefit you might get from not wearing gloves.

No_Finish_Line

A lot of people don't like to workout with gloves because of the grip but in my opinion that is bull. I wear gloves with free weights and machines because I don't like calluses, specially when the skin rips off because it turns into a source of infection, specially while handling equipment in the gym.

Some people believe that calluses are a badge of honor but I don't. They are an inconvenience and I like my hands smooth; I am having enough problems with my OA to add to it. Actually the gloves help me a lot with the grip because they are like a cushion and protect my thumb joints

So as you can see, I am not of help. Sorry.

yea i don't get it either. it shouldn't effect grip strength.

if thats something the OP is worried about ,you could us straps too (for the deadlift anyway), but the trainner probably as an objection to that as well lol.

BlueBombers

I wear gloves myself, but I prefer men's gloves.

MelsAuntie

You can get gloves with gripping surfaces; I had those when I was a mail carrier. They will help your grip and are much kinder to the hands than going barehanded. Ignore the trainer, they're YOUR hands, not his.

jayb0ne

I just bite em off - ha!

After a few I find the new callus underneath starts to develop by the time the old one pulls off.

Jay

Edit - and if you want to use gloves, just use them.. I train in a proper heavyweight bodybuilders gym and there's some proper lifters in there who wear gloves and don't have any issues.

LauraFouhse

thanks everyone.

I don't necessarily want to use gloves. I'd prefer to just be able to do what I want to do and deal with the calluses as they grow. I just think... what if one day I forget gloves and don't have the calluses? I don't think there is a right or wrong, just a preference. If, however, I keep ripping them off, I'll likely consider it.

He did mention chalk might help... I've got incredibly sweaty hands.

SezxyStef

I flinched when I read this...

I 2nd the pumice stone just a fine grit one works great.

As for the gloves it doesn't affect grip strength it affects overall grip...

I have small ones on my hands but keep them at bay in the tub with the pumice...

DopeItUp

Maybe look into your grip and make sure your hands are in the right place. If you're just a beginner and ripping off callouses then there may be a problem there. I've been lifting for a few years and I've never had a callous rip off. I have dainty skin and I still barely have any callouses at all in fact. You can barely see anything at all on my hands, and they aren't raised up at all either. Gloves annoy me so I never wear them. They only seemed to make my grip worse anyway.

vandons

I wear the Mechanix gloves that are popular with many Crossfitters.