Gloves- Do You Row In Them ??

[[old] Deb]

I've always worn cycling gloves when I erg, and seem to just get the segs without the having to go through the nasty blister stage. <br /><br />I'm happy to be called a wuss . I'd rather be a healthy wuss than a sick or dead one. (Open wounds on hands are great entry points for some pretty nasty viruses and bacteria for us nurses; gloves and tegaderm help, but who wants to risk it?)

[[old] cynthia]

Even after the "do you tear down trees with your bare hands" comment I haven't been tempted to wear gloves. The callouses are quite useful, though they do have to be trimmed down now and again.

[[old] John Rupp]

yo wass up peeps<br /><br />A lot of perspiration can get on the handle from your arms. I used to wear tennis wrist bands but have found that baseball wrist bands are much better. They are thicker, wider, nicer looking and about the same price.<br /><br />I never get blisters from the handle. However my handle is wrapped with nylon socks. Sometimes I trim off a little callous but this is relatively minor. For more information see post #5 on this thread:<br /><br /><a href='http://concept2.ipbhost.com/index.php?a ... #entry8897' target='_blank'>http://concept2.ipbhost.com/index.php?a ... try8897</a>

[[old] Keith T]

I have the new handle type and have been rowing for only three weeks. The blisters and callouses I can tolerate, the problem I had was the perspiration on my hands making it difficult to hold on to the handle. I thought about gloves, but did not like how they felt.<br /><br />My solution is "grip tape" for tennis rackets. It is easy to apply, can be removed, and is very absorbent. No more tired forearms form gripping too tight!<br /><br />-Keith

[[old] la_flaca]

No gloves!! I got a good quantity of callouses after lots and lots of sculling kms! (I´ve been rowing since I was 14), so, I don´t have any problem with the handle.<br /><br />Before, my hands suck, they where awful! I couldn´t touch anything (or anybody!!), but with the time I got used to it and some day they just got better!. Now, my hands are like brand new!.<br /><br />Cheers!

[[old] pgpoon]

Hi all: I am a newbie, but like to do 30 mins segments and have some blisters/callouses. I am experimenting with something called Bodyglide, made in Bellevue, WA. The ingredients are Caprylic/Capric Trigglycerides, Aloe and Tocopheryl Acetate. No petroleum so the handle cover should not degrade.<br /><br />Pintail (from the women's Ducks in a Row team)

[[old] 2Big2Cox]

Gloves? My coach would flip. Don't they make blisters worse? Deal with the blisters now and they are not as bad next season.

[[old] seaturtle]

as I work with my hands on people (as an osteopath)blisters, big callouses or long nails( I know, all other ergers have them )are a no-no, so i am a firm favourite of the flannel method, actually microfibre cleaning cloth for windows, lovely and soft for professional wusses like me. That is at home on my model b . At the gym I use nothing, I think it is a model c and it does not bother me at all. I have wondered whether the reason for this is that I have to pull and thus grip harder at home without a damper?<br /> Corina

[[old] akit110]

<!--QuoteBegin-Deb+Jan 27 2005, 08:27 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Deb @ Jan 27 2005, 08:27 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->I've always worn cycling gloves when I erg, and seem to just get the segs without the having to go through the nasty blister stage.  <br /><br />I'm happy to be called a wuss  .  I'd rather be a healthy wuss than a sick or dead one.  (Open wounds on hands are great entry points for some pretty nasty viruses and bacteria for us nurses; gloves and tegaderm help, but who wants to risk it?) <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />I wear cycling gloves on the erg. I remember nearly 20 years ago in college crew not wearing gloves and not getting nary a blister (compared to my teammates - some of whom were in great pain) because I had spent several years beforehand developing some nice calluses from shovel handles, barbells and the grips of an old Tunturi hydraulic rowers during my teens. <br /><br />However, I am older now and I can't really think of a sound reason not wear gloves on the erg. Even machismo isn't that good a reason as there is no one around to notice what I wear when I erg at home Socially and professionally, I don't think it wouldn't be a plus to shake hands with palms as hard and rough as they were back in the day.

[[old] ancho]

I have started again rowing after 18 years not touching a scull. <br />I have never worn gloves, and even though I keep constantly changing oars (dreissigacker-crocker-empacher + sculls + ergw/wooden handle), so my hands never can get really used to one specific grip and create a "protection layer", they look much better than they used to, and I only have had a very few open blisters since january.<br />My tips:<br />Hydrate yor hands frequently with some good hand cream (I use Neutrogena, Nivea or Isdin), trim your callouses now and again, and grip the oar/handle gently.<br />Of course, feel free to use gloves if thy make you feel comfortable, although some rowers may smile at you .<br />BTW: I LOVE the Crocker-grips!, next preference are the good old fashioned wooden grips (for rigging).

[[old] hennmart]

For the first 800.000 meters I wore gloves (blisters), after that only when I did a marathon. And now, after a few marathons, my hands are use to the erg grip and I don't wear gloves anymore <br /><br />Hennie<br /><br />

[[old] artmom5]

<!--QuoteBegin-Bufflehead+Jan 27 2005, 12:42 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Bufflehead @ Jan 27 2005, 12:42 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Well, at least I'm not alone!   <br />I got into the habit of wearing gloves when I started lifting and rowing.  My hands were a mess if I didn't wear anything.  I have relatively small hands (size 5 1/2 surgical gloves), so they help me keep a grip as well as prevent blisters.  It took a while to find a brand that was comfortable for the long haul, but I've tried to go without them and it's just not worth it for me.   Go ahead - call me a pansy! <br /> </td></tr></table><br />I am a newbie and anything over a 5K rips thems with the old B?C? handle at the gym and personally I don't like my hands feeling like a guy. I use good weightlifting gloves and Love it , I can go 10K with no problem and it keeps my grip loose and relaxed. Call my Mrs. Whimp! <br />Mary<br />IL<br />Team- Row Pain, Row Gain

[[old] ljwagner]

Blisters on an erg suggest your hands twist a bit on the handle. More likely you have too full a grip, and a slightly bent wrist. Adjust your grip, and blisters should not happen.<br /><br />Wrists should be straight, fingers making about a C. Maybe C2 can start offering a smaller grip handle, but I doubt you have smaller hands then my, and others, children who also use the C2's and don't use gloves.<br /><br />The gloves take care of the sliding, which a simple grip adjustment would also take care of.

[[old] Bufflehead]

Haven't used gloves in ages! Even did my marathon without them. I just got used to it over time. (Not to mention relaxed grip.)<br /><br />Ye Olde Buffle

[[old] holladay]

Toddler Socks!<br /><br />My problem is that my hands sweat like mad. So I have to stop and wipe my hands and the handle off frequently durning a row. <br /><br />Someone on another thread suggested toddler socks on the handle. I tried it and it is wonderful! The socks fit tightly and they absorb my sweat. I think it was the sweaty hands that was causing my blisters.<br /><br />Susan AKA wood duck