Hand calluses

alereck · October 2014

Can anyone advise on a preventive method for hand calluses due to lifting? My hands are getting pretty bad and being a woman it’s not the most attractive thing to have.

I don’t lift heavy; my chest press is 60 lbs and now and then I’ll do a 150 lbs squat on the smith machine but otherwise I’ll use the same 60 lbs barbell and go at a high speed… anyway, I find gloves pretty cheesy, is there anything else I could do?

zoeysasha37 · October 2014

I have the same issue. I just don't like the way gloves feel, but I have no choice but to wear them at this point. My calluses where so large that the lady that does my Nails had to basically saw them down with a file. Yes, very gross I know. So I'm just wearing the gloves anyway now and then using a good lotion afterwards.

NobodyInParticular · October 2014

Well, they may be cheesy but they do work lol
So you have to pick your poison there.
You could always use chalk or liquid chalk as a barrier between your skin and the metal.

Maleficent0241 · October 2014

What about just keeping them in check with a pumice stone? If you don't like the idea of gloves, a quick scrubbing a few times per week would only take a few minutes.

MagnumBurrito · October 2014

http://www.amazon.com/Tweezerman-Safety-Slide-Callus-Shaver/dp/B000G62I12/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1412481738&sr=8-11&keywords=callus+removers

Quick and easy

arditarose · October 2014

aww..are gloves cheesy? I always wear mine. I have enough calluses from playing bass and guitar. I don't need more.

7aneena · October 2014

I can't think of anything other than gloves to prevent it, BUT to remove it a friend of mine swears by a homemade scrub of lemon, olive oil and sugar

dbmata · October 2014

Calluses are fine, and representative of some of the effort you are putting out.

FitFroglet · October 2014

I think gloves are the only way but I tried them and didn't like how they felt - I felt less in control.

I just keep mine down between visits with an emery board followed by hand cream - stops them from getting too bad.
I don't think it's much to do with the weight, more with the friction (I started getting them when the heaviest thing I lifted was a 4kg kettlebell).

Good luck!

steff274 · October 2014

Meh I had them anyway comes from shovelling horse **** every day of my life!!

ninerbuff · October 2014

Here's an alternative to gloves.

http://www.amazon.com/Firm-Grip-Power-Pads®-Alternative/dp/B007V5CCY4

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

sentaruu · October 2014

corn husker's lotion.

wont prevent the callouses but it does wonders for rough, dry or cracked skin.

lynseya83 · October 2014

You could have a look at the hand lotions/balms that you buy for rock climbing. They help to keep calluses soft , and also often antiseptic if you have little cuts too.

paj315 · October 2014

I love my callouses! Reminds of the all the hard work I put in every week! I do have to occasionaly file them down though! I'm currently sport 9 callouses between my two hands

spoiledpuppies · October 2014

I love my callouses too! Admittedly, sometimes when shaking hands with new people I self-consciously wonder if they notice; but generally, I just feel proud and strong when I feel them. (I also used to think my veins were gross; but once I learned that they reflect my low BF and lots of muscle, I just feel darn proud.)

jimvic37 · October 2014

This is a great short video on hand care by Donny Shankle who is a lifting god. I'm known as the hand natzi around our gym since I'm constantly lecturing the members about hand care.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=otorSGl3sG0