Ah, the calluses!
The feeling they give to your partner when you run your hands along her back, in a gesture that would like to be sensual, but that of sensuality has that of a grater.
That if you think of Parmesan cheese a bit of sensuality maybe there is, but in short, you understand what I mean.
Index
Open hands, why?
It doesn't take a materials engineer to figure out how much tougher the steel, the wood and the rope are made of CrossFit® tools compared to the skin of human hands.
Of course, there is a percentage of adaptation with time. But be sure that cuts, abrasions and calluses happen to athletes of all levels.
Pain, then what?
Not only do they hurt and they are annoying, but the ruined hands
- They lower performance, especially because the pinch (made with three fingers) suffers from it
- Break the concentration during WOD
- They force you to nastrarti, or ad wait for them to recover
Callus psychology
There is a strictly psychological consideration to be made: ruin your hands during a WOD it often lies on the fine line between courage and self-denial on the one hand, and complete lack of care on the other.
However, there is beauty in the streets, and if Sore is the new sexy, even the hands that talk about WODs devastating finally closed they are trophies to show with pride.
Ditto for the tape around your fingers when you are in the office the next day and are choosing what to take to the coffee machine. It's something he knows about Fight club. Climbers have always known this.
Prevention of open hands
What can you do for? prevent open hands - or at least soothe or endure them?
Use gloves, straps or wraps
The third, above all. They are born in the world of gymnastics for give respite to the tension otherwise constant to which the hands are subjected.
All these accessories can only be worn during certain exercises, in order to gradually get used to the different efforts.
I benefits:
- You don't have to worry (too much) about hand health, and you're free to concentrate at 100% on WOD
- Increase grip strength
- They allow to cancel the damages that the mixture of magnesite and sweat, in contact with the iron of the barbells, can cause to the skin
Prevent calluses
It is worthwhile to treat them with the pumice stone or with a razor under the hot water of the shower before they become stiff - it's when their surface breaks.
You can also use specific products to keep the skin hydrated and elastic, like the wax used by climbers.
Just remember that whenever hands get hydrated, a powerlifter cries.
Tap your hands
Typically the area is more taped subject to the formation of calluses, or one in which calluses are already forming. In this way their growth will be kept under control.
Ask your coach how tap your hands, or watch one of the many tutorials on Youtube.
Work ahead
If you feel that the skin of your hands is about to open, you can always climb the WOD and close it first. In terms of pride it may not be the best ... but tomorrow you can come to the box without problems.
For the same reason you can reduce heavier lifts, or exercises in which friction is more pronounced.
Only temporarily, I promise!