Developing calluses is a necessary part of the process for building strength as you perform heavy deadlifts, rows and pull-ups.
During the early days of my pro baseball career, I went “no BGs” (that is, sans batting gloves). I liked the feel of the wood on my skin, the pine tar smell my hands retained, and the even more sensitive feel of striking a ball flush. Possibly coincidentally, this was my most successful time in the minors.
The downside was I literally hit until I bled. I spent countless hours in the cage in April, smashing ball after ball off a tee in Mobile, Alabama or Ashville, North Carolina, or wherever. It didn’t really matter; I traveled long hours on a bus to get there. I’d step into the hitting facilities in these random Southern towns, bang, then have to tape my raw, stinging hands for regular batting practice at 4:00pm.
Once I developed thick calluses, this happened less and less. At some point in the season, I’d declare my claws battle ready. The same is true for weightlifting. The tougher my hands are, the better equipped I am to handle heavy lifts.
Old baseball myth: Urinating on your own hands over time strengthens the skin. Try this if you like and report back. For me, I’ll go old school and lift my way to callus development.
From livestrong.com:
Using hand tools can cause a callus to develop on the hands. The calluses develop on the hands to prevent blisters from forming. Tools that use a repetitive motion from the hands, such as a rake, cause the most concern for callus formation. Sometime a callus can be helpful. Individuals who play the guitar develop a callus on the fingers from the friction on the guitar strings. The calluses in turn make playing the guitar easier…
Obviously, we ain’t playin’ guitar, but the theories are congruent. Hands that are pleasant to touch don’t generally behave as tough under pressure. Imagine your grandmother’s hands. My grandma Rose (98 years old) has the softest hands on earth. The steel bar weighted down with plates would not bode well for her supple skin.
Some folks believe that you have to keep your calluses in check.
From stronglifts.com:
It is crucial keep the size of your calluses under control – big calluses will get pinched under the bar and can tear apart.
I haven’t found this to be true. I don’t file mine, ever. Now, occasionally, I get one that tears, but I chalk it up (see what I did there?) to a casualty of war.
Simply put, don’t fight the callus development process. Embrace your rough hands as a badge of honor. Shake the hand of your loved ones. When they cringe at your paws, state proudly “Yeah, that’s what they’re supposed to feel like.” If you’re feeling especially confident, add an “Uhhhhhhh” and don’t credit Master P.
Kap
PS: If you’ve got good callus tips/stories, leave them in the comments section, please, so that we can all learn from them.
Colt says
I just bite my off strengthens the teeth too
Gabe Kapler says
There you go, Colt. Like it.
brenna says
I’m not a fan of calluses aesthetically, and would be self-conscious about them in my line of work which requires a lot of hands-on care. I use grip pads (http://www.amazon.com/gripad-Gripad-Workout-Grips/dp/B003679Q72) to prevent calluses and help with traction on bars and dumbbells.
Gabe Kapler says
Thanks, Brenna. Good stuff.
Tyler says
DON’T BE THE DOUCHE THAT WEARS WEIGHT LIFTING GLOVES.*
*this doesn’t apply to girls lifting any sort of bar. keep those hands soft ladies.
Gabe Kapler says
Ha. You’re killing me, Tyler.
Donny says
Make sure they match your purse:)
Doug says
I like the idea of Fat Gripz (http://www.amazon.com/Fat-Gripz-The-Ultimate-Builder/dp/B005FIS14Y) to help build your forearms, but this can look just as lame as lifting gloves or those pads used on the bar for squats. Cold steel just feels more natural.
Gabe Kapler says
Cold steel. Good language, Doug.
Chris says
I’ve had 2 calluses on each hand since I was 12 from golf. Never thought that they’d help me when lifting weights, an added bonus!
Gabe Kapler says
Boom.
Caitlin says
Calluses build character! And the one time i wore gloves i could never grip the bars well. And it became dangerous. I love my baby calluses and permanent back bruise from squats. They say “yeah bro, I lift. And I lift heavy” as I stroll away in my pink heels.
Stephanie St Amour (@sstamour) says
This is awesome.
Gabe Kapler says
I second Steph. I’m inspired. Thanks, Caitlin.
Caitlin says
You’re welcome. I hope to see the pictures of you in your heels. Make sure they sparkle! Embrace your inner beauty and beast!