blisters on hands

[lazybum]

Hi all, tried searching on this but the search here has gone wonky and won't give many results. I think I had read something on this while lurking months and months ago but can't find anything now.

I've had a c2 for about 7 months now and love it. I've had to start and stop a few times due to work/schedule problems, but am now consistently at 30 minutes 3-4 mornings a week and am down 30 lbs thanks to it and better diet.

Soon after I first started rowing I had developed calluses over the pads on my hand just below my fingers that were unsightly but tolerable. I started wearing gloves but that didn't help much. Now I've developed bleeding into those calluses that I'm having to drain and have had to debride a couple of them (which is really unsightly).

After a bit of reading on here this am I'm pretty sure my grip is at fault, likely gripping too hard and using too much hand instead of just using my fingers.

I plan on changing my grip up a bit and buying some more gloves that have padding (the gloves I have don't), but I wanted to see what other thoughts/suggestions you all might have? I don't want to give up the rowing but the blood blisters just cannot continue.

[Citroen]

Loosen the grip.

You should be hooking your fingers over the handle not gripping it tightly. You will get some hard patches of skin, but shouldn't get blisters.

The best treatment for any blisters you do have is rubbing alcohol (aka surgical spirit).

There's Reebok Gripmasters that can help if you simply can't take the pain.

[lazybum]

it's kinda funny. The pain just motivates me more and probably makes me grip harder thus making the blisters worse.

I can deal with the discomfort it's just the visuals.

[johnlvs2run]

I reverse wrap the handle with a pair of thin nylon socks and duct tape.

[iain]

The best treatment for any blisters you do have is rubbing alcohol (aka surgical spirit).

I found this just made my (OTW) blisters brittle and so they got worse. I found hand cream the solution. It keeps the skin supple until callouses form underneath.

- Iain

[lightweight8]

I also get blisters, especially after gripping too hard on power sets. I've just ordered some "new grips" (do a google search~ I can't post the URL) and hope they will help. They're less obtrusive than gloves and seem to provide some padding. I have not received them yet, but will let you know if they help.

[lightweight8]

Well I got the New Grips yesterday. Last night I did 10k meters and had to take them off midway. They just felt bulky and weird. Fortunately, the night before I did 8x500m and no blisters to speak of! Maybe I'm just loosening up on the grip now.

[plummy]

I've had endless issues with blisters and solved most of them by using a combination of anti-blister tape on the affected fingers, (It's £2.95 for a 10m roll (about $4.70)) and I also wear Domyos weightlifting gloves over the top.
For very long distances (marathon etc) I have to tape all my fingers bar little fingers. Yesterday I completed a marathon having left 2 fingers untaped and had large blisters at 20k to go causing me to have to grab a hand towel (and try and hold that in place for 20k around the right hand handle!!).
I bought some New Grips a while ago and took an instant dislike to them - they are too thick and cumbersome and make it difficult to get your thumb under the handle. Additionally, the have the same problem as Gripmasters in that by 10k they are slipping all over the place with sweat.
However, in their defence I did a 10k today WITH yesterdays blisters using the New Grips and I was fine so maybe a bit of perserverence is needed

I've also tried the "get the fingers toughened up" approach - just got blisters and sore fingers and had to stop rowing

Plummy

[tdekoekkoek]

I bought some New Grips a while ago and took an instant dislike to them - they are too thick and cumbersome and make it difficult to get your thumb under the handle.

Plummy

You don't have to get your thumb under the handle. Just let it rest comfortably on the inside of the handle. Also, try to loosen your grip and just make sure you have your fingers around the handle and not grip with the hand. The other thing is try some wrist bands to prevent the sweat from dripping onto the handles.

Good luck!

Trevor

[kpt001]

I've definitely heard of people getting blisters while rowing on the water, but I don't know very many people who have had a lot of blisters from erging alone. I get little ones here and there, but there's not much you can do about it... and erging with gloves is weird. haha I would definitely loosen the grip... i don't remember who said it in this forum, but they were right when they said to use your hands as hooks. As for taking care of the blisters... I have experience dealing with them from rowing on the water, and I definitely would NOT suggest popping your blisters until they've been on your hands for at least three days or so. After that, they've healed a little bit and turn into callouses more quickly. Once they're popped, cut off all the dead skin so it's out of the way. Once they've turned into callouses, you shouldn't have too much trouble with blisters anymore. They'll occasionally blister up again, but then you just start the process over.
Hope this helped!

[brigman]

All that stuff about rowing technique aside (not to say that it isn't important), I have a solution that gets as little (or as much) blistering as you desire. Go down to your local supermarket and buy a pair of small socks that have an leg section (above the heel) long enough to cover each handle on the erg. Next thing, grab a pack of *** DELETE - SPAM *** sponges that are about 1 cm thick (use 2?).

Prior to rowing, moisten the sponges and squeeze out as much moisture as possible. Wrap the sponges around the handles and use the leg section of the socks to secure the sponges.

Row.

You may want to cut the excess sock off, as it looks pretty stupid. You may also want to not mention that you do this to 'real rowers' with 'real calluses' unless, like me, you can deadpan the delivery of the line "No pain, no pain."

If you really do want calluses, but dont want the acquisition process to cause you any downtime, flip the sponges off some time before the end of the row (you can do it without stopping) and grind away.

The only time I get blisters using this technique is when I forget to take my wedding ring off (it's pretty chunky). And at about a tenth the price of decent gloves, that wear out too quickly anyway, I reckon it's a winner.

edit:

And 8 months later I say, "They were right: it's all about the grip."

I use a pair of gloves now, but probably don't need to. They are made by Ironclad and called Landscapers.

[jrhahn]

An easy solution is just to apply deoderant to your hands before erging or on the water, as long as you don't have too many open blisters already. I prefer mens speed stick deoderant, which just helps to absorb some of the moisture and lubricate the handle, while making it less slippery.

[Atorrante]

I've definitely heard of people getting blisters while rowing on the water, but I don't know very many people who have had a lot of blisters from erging alone. I get little ones here and there, but there's not much you can do about it... and erging with gloves is weird. haha I would definitely loosen the grip... i don't remember who said it in this forum, but they were right when they said to use your hands as hooks. As for taking care of the blisters... I have experience dealing with them from rowing on the water, and I definitely would NOT suggest popping your blisters until they've been on your hands for at least three days or so. After that, they've healed a little bit and turn into callouses more quickly. Once they're popped, cut off all the dead skin so it's out of the way. Once they've turned into callouses, you shouldn't have too much trouble with blisters anymore. They'll occasionally blister up again, but then you just start the process over.
Hope this helped!

Why is erging with gloves weird? Weird is to deal with calluses in the hands, that blister again and again. I suffer from this until I buy a pair of all-sport gloves HEAD brand at COSTCO for $9.99. A sport like erging or rowing demands the use of good gloves for many reasons This is by far the best solution, no more blisters or calluses, a far more better grip, no sweat slippery problems. I dont erg without my gloves.

[jodycwilliams]

I just switched from fingerless workout gloves to the New Grip gloves and absolutely love them.

http://www.newgrip.com/rowing.html

Cannot suggest them highly enough.

[joethedanceking]

I just received a pait of Newgrip rowing gloves and I love them. Will take a little getting used to, but two rows and the blisters don't hurt anymore. They should come as standard equipment with the Concept 2 rower!