Good Substitute for Gloves

[miket-nyc]

I never liked the sticky rubber on the handles of my rower and I've tried various substitutes for gloves. I also used to put chalk on my hands to keep them from slipping.

But I no longer have to worry about these things because I hit upon a simple and free covering: I put two no-show athletic socks on the handles. These are socks I wear anyway and they give me a very comfortable grip. Here's a link to a photo:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/pUih9EgZDDo2hRbs6

The question may arise what keeps them on? They never fell off during use, but occasionally one would fall off during storage because I store the rower vertically. So now I have them tied together in the center with a piece of dental floss. This is much stronger than thread, and it doesn't damage the socks. I put new socks on there every month or so. They don't get dirty very fast.

Mike Taglieri

[gvcormac]

I never liked the sticky rubber on the handles of my rower and I've tried various substitutes for gloves. I also used to put chalk on my hands to keep them from slipping.

But I no longer have to worry about these things because I hit upon a simple and free covering: I put two no-show athletic socks on the handles. These are socks I wear anyway and they give me a very comfortable grip. Here's a link to a photo:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/pUih9EgZDDo2hRbs6

The question may arise what keeps them on? They never fell off during use, but occasionally one would fall off during storage because I store the rower vertically. So now I have them tied together in the center with a piece of dental floss. This is much stronger than thread, and it doesn't damage the socks. I put new socks on there every month or so. They don't get dirty very fast.

Mike Taglieri

They have no incentive to fall off. Almost all the force is perpendicular to the handle.

When I used to row 30km at a sitting, I used socks. I could never decide between cotton and nylon. They have a different feel, and they both help. The cotton stays in place on the handles and any motion is between your fingers and the sock, but it is padded. The nylon slips a bit on the handle, so there is no motion between the sock and the finger. Overall the nylon is probably better for callus prevention, but doesn't feel quite as comfy. Tube socks avoid the heel clumping, and children's socks fit better.

[agross29]

For the longer rows I’ve found neoprene grips to be best. Not a perfect solution, but they work quite well.

https://www.amazon.com/PULLUP-DIP-Weigh ... ast_sto_dp

https://www.amazon.com/PULLUP-DIP-Weigh ... ast_sto_dp

[pjago]

I used to get into the habit of winding tennis racket grips around the handle after a friend suggested using the tape on oar handles. As a substitute, I've just used half a paper towel in each hand.