Weights are ruining my delicate lady hands...

knitfastpurlyoung
knitfastpurlyoung Posts: 102 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
...Well, not quite.

I'm developing calluses just underneath my middle and ring finger from gripping bars for bench presses / pull ups etc...

Any advice for sending these little gremlins on their way?

Any tried and tested methods for keeping them at bay?

(Rhyming not intentional, but I like it!)

Thank you in advance kind people of MFP. :)

Replies

  • TrinaCanDoThis
    TrinaCanDoThis Posts: 115
    You should purchase a pair of workout gloves. :)
  • songbyrdsweet
    songbyrdsweet Posts: 5,691 Member
    Don't get rid of them! They form for a reason (protection), and if you constantly scrub them away, your hands will be raw and too sensitive to grip well. I'd say wear gloves if you really hate them.
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    Gloves. Definitely.
  • justjenn1977
    justjenn1977 Posts: 437 Member
    I had the same problem...

    got a high quality pair of gloves and they softened enough to not drive me nuts in just a couple workouts :)
  • sweetsarahj
    sweetsarahj Posts: 701 Member
    I love my calluses! Maybe I'm a freak, but they make me feel hardcore LOL
  • chrishgt4
    chrishgt4 Posts: 1,222 Member
    Any advice for sending these little gremlins on their way?

    Any tried and tested methods for keeping them at bay?

    These annoying little calluses are causing some dismay

    there has to be something that I can do, tell me I pray...


    gloves... :)
  • knitfastpurlyoung
    knitfastpurlyoung Posts: 102 Member
    Don't get rid of them! They form for a reason (protection), and if you constantly scrub them away, your hands will be raw and too sensitive to grip well. I'd say wear gloves if you really hate them.

    So gloves, or man up. Got it.

    And here is the dilemma. I have very feminine lady hands. If I had a pound for every time a stranger commented that I have "piano players hands", I would be a very rich non-pianist.

    My nails are now cut suitably short for boxing and parts of my hands are dry from the wraps (very soft skin... blah blah blah).

    Are calluses a step too far for my lady-hand-vanity to take?!
  • Ceffy
    Ceffy Posts: 235
    I get the same problem from rowing... concensus around all I've asked seems to be ... learn to love them as a sign of your strength!

    Although I was thinking about those anti blister sticks? (too vain I guess!)
  • knitfastpurlyoung
    knitfastpurlyoung Posts: 102 Member
    Any advice for sending these little gremlins on their way?

    Any tried and tested methods for keeping them at bay?

    These annoying little calluses are causing some dismay

    there has to be something that I can do, tell me I pray...


    gloves... :)

    LOL! Sir, you rock. :)
  • songbyrdsweet
    songbyrdsweet Posts: 5,691 Member
    Don't get rid of them! They form for a reason (protection), and if you constantly scrub them away, your hands will be raw and too sensitive to grip well. I'd say wear gloves if you really hate them.

    So gloves, or man up. Got it.

    And here is the dilemma. I have very feminine lady hands. If I had a pound for every time a stranger commented that I have "piano players hands", I would be a very rich non-pianist.

    My nails are now cut suitably short for boxing and parts of my hands are dry from the wraps (very soft skin... blah blah blah).

    Are calluses a step too far for my lady-hand-vanity to take?!

    I mean I've been lifting for years and my callouses sometimes get bad, but only if I let them dry out. You should keep your hands moisturized. I think they help once they're well-formed. Just sucks when they get dry and then you handle a really rough bar and it tears them! :explode:
  • justjenn1977
    justjenn1977 Posts: 437 Member
    it all depends on why you don't want them... I don't want calluses because they cause pain... and I am not into that... they interfere with my workout and I can lift less because of the pain from the bar (or whatever) rubing into the callus... hence the gloves... but if they aren't causing pain and you don't mind them then don't worry... otherwise.... gloves :)
  • diver71_au
    diver71_au Posts: 424 Member
    wear them proudly .... they are a badge of honour showing that you are determined to get/stay healthy
  • knitfastpurlyoung
    knitfastpurlyoung Posts: 102 Member
    it all depends on why you don't want them... I don't want calluses because they cause pain... and I am not into that... they interfere with my workout and I can lift less because of the pain from the bar (or whatever) rubing into the callus... hence the gloves... but if they aren't causing pain and you don't mind them then don't worry... otherwise.... gloves :)

    I type and use keyboard shortcuts ALL day, and when I flex my fingers they pull a bit, which is becoming irritating. Its not the worst thing in the world, admittedly...
  • knitfastpurlyoung
    knitfastpurlyoung Posts: 102 Member
    Don't get rid of them! They form for a reason (protection), and if you constantly scrub them away, your hands will be raw and too sensitive to grip well. I'd say wear gloves if you really hate them.

    So gloves, or man up. Got it.

    And here is the dilemma. I have very feminine lady hands. If I had a pound for every time a stranger commented that I have "piano players hands", I would be a very rich non-pianist.

    My nails are now cut suitably short for boxing and parts of my hands are dry from the wraps (very soft skin... blah blah blah).

    Are calluses a step too far for my lady-hand-vanity to take?!

    I mean I've been lifting for years and my callouses sometimes get bad, but only if I let them dry out. You should keep your hands moisturized. I think they help once they're well-formed. Just sucks when they get dry and then you handle a really rough bar and it tears them! :explode:

    I am the moisturising queen. This I can certainly do. :)
  • yager8725
    yager8725 Posts: 267 Member
    my son got my workout gloves for Christmas. I love them! make sure they fit snug and have padding in the palm area. Target has some comfy ones at about $20.
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    You should purchase a pair of workout gloves. :)

    Yep.
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    Why is everyone telling her to just suck it up when an $8 pair of gloves will fix it?
  • m60kaf
    m60kaf Posts: 421 Member
    Pumice stone

    But tbh after a while they just become normal skin --- but a bit thicker
  • knitfastpurlyoung
    knitfastpurlyoung Posts: 102 Member

    But tbh after a while they just become normal skin --- but a bit thicker

    Oh really? So they aren't going to pull, and be generally annoying and red for all time then...? *hopeful face*
  • UrbanRunner81
    UrbanRunner81 Posts: 1,207 Member
    I don't think gloves really help with your hands. Mine are still rough and I use them. I have a nice pair, too. I only got the gloves because it helps my grip.
  • snookumss
    snookumss Posts: 1,451 Member
    I'd say if you are boxing... suck it up and not get gloves! Callouses are probably exactly what you need!
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    I don't think gloves really help with your hands. Mine are still rough and I use them. I have a nice pair, too. I only got the gloves because it helps my grip.

    They help mine. If I don't use them, I get calluses. If I do, I don't.
  • angieroo2
    angieroo2 Posts: 970 Member
    Here's another vote for gloves. I don't like callus-y hands, just nice, soft ones.
  • wendi105
    wendi105 Posts: 27 Member
    I have delicate lady hands too. They are also child-sized - lol. I recently starting doing weight training and the rough hands are driving me nuts, especially when they "catch" on my clothes.

    As much as I think muscles are hot, the callouses are not (IMO). Think I'm gonna invest in some gloves too!
  • moniemrs
    moniemrs Posts: 4
    Gloves, exfoliating hand wash and any moisturiser with shea butter in.. That should do the trick..
  • m60kaf
    m60kaf Posts: 421 Member

    But tbh after a while they just become normal skin --- but a bit thicker

    Oh really? So they aren't going to pull, and be generally annoying and red for all time then...? *hopeful face*

    No mine are just like any old stretchy skin. just a bit thicker an a bit yellow. the calluses peeled 3 or 4 times and just became like that
  • knitfastpurlyoung
    knitfastpurlyoung Posts: 102 Member

    But tbh after a while they just become normal skin --- but a bit thicker

    Oh really? So they aren't going to pull, and be generally annoying and red for all time then...? *hopeful face*

    No mine are just like any old stretchy skin. just a bit thicker an a bit yellow. the calluses peeled 3 or 4 times and just became like that

    Right-o. The conclusion I'm drawing is I'm just going to moisturise and leave them be for a while, unless they become too unsightly to bare, at which point... gloves. :)

    Thank you for your advice everyone!
  • Di3012
    Di3012 Posts: 2,247 Member
    ...Well, not quite.

    I'm developing calluses just underneath my middle and ring finger from gripping bars for bench presses / pull ups etc...

    Any advice for sending these little gremlins on their way?

    Any tried and tested methods for keeping them at bay?

    (Rhyming not intentional, but I like it!)

    Thank you in advance kind people of MFP. :)

    Buy workout gloves, get them in any sports shop or even order online. If you have to shake hands with anybody and you scratch their palms with your calluses that is a bit yukky LOL!

    Just because females do weightlifting, does not mean they have to go all and sundry to be like a bloke - this includes calluses.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,990 Member
    My DW wears gloves. Me, I gotta "feel" the bar so I rarely (usually when I do really heavy heavy curls) use any gloves at all, and I just shave my calluses off once a month.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • tigersword
    tigersword Posts: 8,059 Member
    Chalk > gloves

    Gloves effectively make the bar bigger, and if you have small hands, that can ruin your grip. Chalk will help dry your hands out, and fill in any "cracks," helping protect against calluses.

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