If You Can't Grip It You Cant Rip It!

 If you Can't Grip It You Cant Rip It!

I would like to talk about a sensitive issue for CrossFit athletes. Sometimes this comes up often and sometimes people avoid the conversation because it makes them feel uncomfortable. I want you to know it's ok to talk about your calluses. All around the world Barbells, pull up bars, Kettlebells, and Dumbbells ale left sitting because their owners can't lift them because of PCHS (Painful callus hand syndrome). This needs to stop now!

It's true that constant gripping, friction, pulling, and rotation can be painful on your hands especially if you haven't been taking care of them. I get asked a lot about what I do to keep my hands ready for action at any time. To be honest, I file them down 2-3 times a week depending on how hard and elevated the calluses get.

Here are two photos of my hands one before and one after the "filing". I use a standard cheese grater type foot file. Make sure it has a fine and a course side to it. Some say to soak your hands first but I find that starting with the fine side on dry hands works better as it will shave off the excess callus and once you get it going flip it over the the course side (if you're in rough shape) then finish off with the fine side to smooth things out.

Before the filing (too much action)

After the filing (ready for action)

When filing your hands down make sure to leave some of the callus so that it protects your hands. If you get rid of all of the callus then you will expose fresh flesh to our harsh training environments.

After a good filing I like to use Glysomed hand cream to add some moisture and TLC to the area you just mined for dead skin.

Taking this approach on a consistent basis will help you to train consistently and not tear open which can slow down your training progress for weeks if it's bad enough.

Post any other suggestions that work for you and lets see if we can continue to train hard with soft hands.

Posted by Paul