How do I avoid calluses when lifting weights?

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distinctlybeautiful
distinctlybeautiful Posts: 1,041 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
The first few times I went bare-handed, but then I went and bought a pair of gloves. I just bought the first pair I found. Turns out I was still getting calluses, so just yesterday I bought a new pair. I spent a little more money (not much more but a little), and I got a pair with more padding. They're also much more fitted than the first pair. I used them yesterday, and when I took them off my hands looked worse than they did with the first pair.

What advice can you give me about weight lifting gloves and/or any other ways to prevent calluses?

Thanks!
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Replies

  • sandrop329
    sandrop329 Posts: 26 Member
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    herrspoons wrote: »
    You don't. They're kind of unavoidable.

    Ditto. Just learn to love them.
  • yopeeps025
    yopeeps025 Posts: 8,680 Member
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    It comes with being a weight lifter.
  • zipa78
    zipa78 Posts: 354 Member
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    Stop wearing gloves and get a good moisturizing and softening hand cream. That's probably the best you can do.
  • EmilyJackCO
    EmilyJackCO Posts: 621 Member
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    I use a salt scrub and wonderful hand creams to reduce their roughness.
  • jennifer_417
    jennifer_417 Posts: 12,344 Member
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    Huh. I kinda love my callouses. Makes me feel cool.
  • Jams009
    Jams009 Posts: 345 Member
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    Use a nail file and hand cream. They will still be there but they will be a lot less noticeable and won't get any of that annoying peeling flakiness. They'll also be much less likely to tear, which can be horrible.

    You should wear your calluses proudly - they are a sign you are lifting heavy enough; like a badge of honour.
  • PwrLftr82
    PwrLftr82 Posts: 945 Member
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    jennifer_417 wrote: »
    Huh. I kinda love my callouses. Makes me feel cool.

    I feel the same. I love my callouses. They're hawt.
  • Rogiefreida
    Rogiefreida Posts: 567 Member
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    Wear em proud! I love mine. :)
  • rjrobert
    rjrobert Posts: 45 Member
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    Your skin will toughen up. You know your really doing a good job when the skin actually peels off :) When you get to that point a lot of us either just deal with it or put a dab of super glue. Not sure if that will end up causing us some weird disease later in life but its worked so far.
  • tedrickp
    tedrickp Posts: 1,229 Member
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    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTqNSgCmM2s

    A tip from Mark Rippetoe on a grip tweak that can help with calluses.
  • skullshank
    skullshank Posts: 4,323 Member
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    lift, build callouses, rip 'em off doing heavy deads, mourn your loss, enjoy the sting in the shower, rebuild.
  • KristaPerseveres
    KristaPerseveres Posts: 87 Member
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    I used to have pretty nails and nice soft hands. I'm an accountant, so my hands were always nice. Since I've started lifting, my nails are pretty short, and can't keep polish on to save my life. My hands are so rough and calloused now, you'd think I work construction. I'm kind of embarrassed to shake people's hands, but I freaking love them, and love all that lifting has done for me. They are a badge of hard work, wear them proudly :) And ditto on the super glue advice ;)
  • thoseAmericanthighs
    thoseAmericanthighs Posts: 24 Member
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    I shave mine down using a callus shaver and smooth them out with a pumice stone. Plus plenty of moisturizing lotion.
  • silverinc13
    silverinc13 Posts: 216 Member
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    Why would you want to? Love my calluses.
  • Lofteren
    Lofteren Posts: 960 Member
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    embrace the callouses
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,867 Member
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    tedrickp wrote: »
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTqNSgCmM2s

    A tip from Mark Rippetoe on a grip tweak that can help with calluses.

    ^^^This^^^check your grip.
  • tavob777
    tavob777 Posts: 4
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    They are trophies!! EMBRACE THEM
  • al369
    al369 Posts: 170 Member
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    Exfoliate/pumice/whatever chosen method. Moisturize. I don't think mine are really noticeable at all. But I agree with viewing it as a sort of badge of honor. It shows you work hard!
  • AmandaHugginkiss
    AmandaHugginkiss Posts: 486 Member
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    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    tedrickp wrote: »
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTqNSgCmM2s

    A tip from Mark Rippetoe on a grip tweak that can help with calluses.

    ^^^This^^^check your grip.

    Exactly. I lift heavy 3-4 days a week and have almost no calloused skin on my hands.

    I use chalk, check my grip before lifts, and also do exercises to improve grip strength, like farmer's walks.

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