Ring finger pain while rowing

[Bradycardia]

When doing half marathons, sometimes my ring finger hurts after 20-25 minutes. Has anyone else experienced this problem? I guess it has to do with nerves. Any advice how I can avoid this?

[Erik A]

obvious answer... take your ring off.....
i sometimes get that as well... not for rowing though and i have no solution apart from the obvious one unfortunately. it will no doubt be the way you hold the handle and maybe if you loosen up your hands a bit it may stop or reduce

[Erik A]

actually what i said is not quite true. when i use an erg with the new handle the location of the ring is right on the less round piece of the handle (not sure if that makes sense) when i use the old round wooden handle i have no issues

[jamesg]

A slight change of grip can have effect. Try just hooking your fingers without gripping the handle.
Unless the ring band is wide, this should be enough; mine doesn't touch the handle.
The grip you are using can be seen from the positions of callouses.

[Dangerscouse]

I haven't ever had an issue but I only hook my fingers over the handle, and i don't grip it. I assume that is the solution as James has suggested.

[mitchel674]

Curious that it only happens when you are doing half marathons. What about if you are doing intervals or 20 minutes into a shorter piece like a 10k? Are you taping your fingers or wrists to prevent blisters on your HM? Perhaps that's the issue.

[Bradycardia]

Curious that it only happens when you are doing half marathons. What about if you are doing intervals or 20 minutes into a shorter piece like a 10k? Are you taping your fingers or wrists to prevent blisters on your HM? Perhaps that's the issue.

I don't wear any protection, just raw hands on the handle. Now as you mention, it did happen once during 30 min TT. Usually it never happens when doing intervals. Yesterday I did 5x8 min and had no problems. I don't even wear a ring on my ring finger since I'm not married.
It must be the position of and the grip at the lower end of the finger that causes this. I've no visble calluses on that finger. However I do have a minor callus on the lower end of the middle finger.