Gloves

[Willy.VdW]

I have a cyst in/on the "underside" of my left ring finger, very clode to the palm.
Rowing doesn't make it better, to say the least
I wonder if wearing padded gloves such as these can offer some relieve:
https://www.gorillawear.com/en/product/ ... black.html
Of course, alternatives are highly appreciated

[Carl Watts]

I used to row with just any fingerless cycle gloves. They stop the blisters when using a new handle (new handles have more grip) and absorb a lot of sweat to stop your hands slipping off the handle.

[Ombrax]

CrewStop scullers have worked well for me over the years:

(in person they aren't as weird-looking as they seem in the images)

https://thecrewstop.com/collections/rowing-gloves

[Willy.VdW]

More grip, that should mean less force to hold the handle and so hopefuly less strain on the fingers?

[Carl Watts]

No more grip gives me blisters, an old handle allows the fingers to move just enough to prevent them. You are not gripping the handle tightly, your fingers are more of a "Hook" and there is clearly some rotation there.

[Willy.VdW]

CrewStop scullers have worked well for me over the years:

(in person they aren't as weird-looking as they seem in the images)

https://thecrewstop.com/collections/rowing-gloves

They do look a bit unusual, but form follows function

[Cujo]

CrewStop scullers have worked well for me over the years:

(in person they aren't as weird-looking as they seem in the images)

https://thecrewstop.com/collections/rowing-gloves

These are great!

[Yakky Doodle]

CrewStop scullers have worked well for me over the years:

(in person they aren't as weird-looking as they seem in the images)

https://thecrewstop.com/collections/rowing-gloves

I also use these. Wonderful gloves for rowing.

[ukaserex]

I used to use gloves. Heh, they wore out.
For a time, I used the beige Nexcare waterproof tape, but as great as that stuff is/was, it can get expensive, particularly if you row every day.

So, what I have done is wrap the C2 handle with that same waterproof tape, and it's fantastic. No blistering, no sweaty-hand syndrome, just perfect.

As for dealing with the cyst...I am so sorry you have to deal with that, as I know they can be quite uncomfortable, particularly when gripping things. I don't know of any real solutions that would be practical.

[Willy.VdW]

I think/hope thet anything that cushions the grip will help, gloves or tape or perhaps pads.
Taping the handle may be a good idea. Perhaps I can tape it quite thick, except where the
finger with the cyst goes. This may prevent some or most of the pressure on it and cause less pain.
I now think I may have to solve this in a number of steps. These may include less powerful rowing,
cushioning hands and/or handle, wearing gloves...

[HornetMaX]

I used to use gloves. Heh, they wore out.
For a time, I used the beige Nexcare waterproof tape, but as great as that stuff is/was, it can get expensive, particularly if you row every day.

So, what I have done is wrap the C2 handle with that same waterproof tape, and it's fantastic. No blistering, no sweaty-hand syndrome, just perfect.

Oh, interesting. How often do you row and for how much ?

Guess the tape need to be changed from time to time: can the tape glue be removed easily from the handle ?

I have been using fingerless gloves for 1yr: better than without (esp. as they absorb some sweat), but I still get blisters at different spots.
Not a huge deal but if it can be avoided ...

[ukaserex]

When I was using the tape, I was rowing 2x a day, every day. Generally 10k per session. Sometimes, I'd just row 1/2 marathon instead of a 2x a day.

I can't answer the question about the tape glue being removed from the handle because I haven't removed the first application of it yet. It's been there a year, seems to be holding up. If I did have to take it off, like if I were going to resell it, I'm sure olive oil, a rag and some persistent rubbing would take it all off without any ill effects.

I still look online for a proper glove, but the fingerless gloves all have too much of the finger unprotected. I got a pair of gloves once, and just cut the tips of the fingers off, and that would have worked perfectly, but it was the type of glove that had material on the palms for better gripping, and the glove would slip around, moving with the handle, rather than my hand, if that makes any sense.

For now, the waterproof medical tape that's on the handle has been working very well for me. Haven't rowed more than a 1/2 marathon. (and don't really plan to) I think for a marathon, you're gonna blister up regardless. Or at least come close to it, unless your fingers have some good callouses built up.

[Sakly]

Recently I got some blisters from a 2h row. Not much, but enough to search for an alternative to row naked fingers.
I had some thin leather pads which are used for weight training actually, but they work really well for the rower. Very good grip on them and the friction is completely taken away from the fingers as the leather can slip a bit during the stroke, but the fingers don't slip on the leather.
Since then I only row with the pads even the blisters already gone. Very comfortable.

I use exactly these:
https://www.amazon.de/MACCIAVELLI-Calis ... 247&sr=8-9
I cut the wrist bands off and use the pads pointing holes to me, using the wider part as grip surface.

[HornetMaX]

Thx ukaserex. Bought the waterproof tape, will give it a try.

One thing that worked for me recently is: use a *good* hand cream.
Before I tried with a generic body cream and that had zero effect.
As soon as I tried one dedicated to hands (here in Europe Mixa has a "hands repair" variant) that worked pretty well.
I just put a small quantity on after training and whenever it crosses my mind.