Weightlifting callouses

kettiecat wrote: »

Do weightlifting gloves actually work?

They work for me.

I use fingerless climbing gloves, which have leather palms for protection, a nylon backing to reduce weight and aid in ventilation, as well as terry cloth on the thumb side to use to mop sweat. Much better than standard weight lifting gloves IMO.

I use them w/any exercise that requires the use of my hands to grip or place my hands on things things - such as weight lifting, body weight exercises and rowing. They do not weaken my grip, as critics of gloves will suggest and I have no calluses to speak of.

I cant speak for gloves, but I was given quite the crash course on "hand care" when I started working on Olympic lifts because my hands were getting so calloused they'd tear open. Now I use a callous shaver and a pumice stone with great success. Also, my hands have never been so well moisturized before this especially at night when I use a product called "O'Keeffe's Working Hands". It's a little annoying at times to do the extra steps but honestly it's so quick and easy, and makes a huge difference.

sgt1372 wrote: »

kettiecat wrote: »

Do weightlifting gloves actually work?

They work for me.

I use fingerless climbing gloves, which have leather palms for protection, a nylon backing to reduce weight and aid in ventilation, as well as terry cloth on the thumb side to use to mop sweat. Much better than standard weight lifting gloves IMO.

I use them w/any exercise that requires the use of my hands to grip or place my hands on things things - such as weight lifting, body weight exercises and rowing. They do not weaken my grip, as critics of gloves will suggest and I have no calluses to speak of.

I may look for these. I have some generic Target weight lifting gloves and I don't love them.

Get a callus shaver and trim them down.

They work for me, I wear out my gloves rather than wear out my hands.
(I also have improved grip and they help prevent my Raynauds getting triggered from holding a cold bar.)

But it is worth checking that you are gripping the bar correctly.

kettiecat wrote: »

I’ve been lifting weights about 2 months now and I’m starting to develop callouses right under my fingers. Is there anyway to avoid this? Do weightlifting gloves actually work?

Gloves. Yes they work. Make sure they are properly fitted for your hand size or they could make it even worse.

The other solution is to just let your hands calous, eventually you will end up ripping them off with weights (deadlifts have been known to remove a few of my calouses).

mutantspicy wrote: »

nay on gloves they interfere especially on big weight. yay on callouses they're sexy, you do need to buff em with a little pomous to keep them from ripping.

Not gonna lie, they are pretty sexy. Except for a high school dance where my boyfriend had his hand on my leg while we drove there. Got out of the car and my stockings were shredded

Grooming of callouses works, too . . . speaking as a rower, not a weight lifter. Most of us tend to get callouses, and during the first few years they can get thick enough that they do indeed rip off (or detach at the center and blister underneath, then fall off). A pumice stone, or one of those cheese grater looking things people use for thickened skin on heels, or careful use of a razor blade (risky!), are things I've known people to use to help keep the callouses at a sustainable level so they remain protective of thinner skin, but don't harden and detach. This, perhaps with some moisturizer, will also keep them smooth enough not to snag clothing.

We don't use gloves because we need the touch sensitivity, and I'm reading above that some lifters also think gloves aren't the best idea. If you don't want to use gloves, consider managing the callouses.

I embrace the callouses. I used to rip frequently, but my hands have gotten stronger. I also chalk up before lifting.