Hey all,

I am sure that this is an issue for most at some time or other, especially if you are doing competition work as well. From beginner level to advanced this is something that you just must learn(sometimes the hard way) and be mindful of continuously .
Of course, it does relate to overall technique, but I have had some interesting ( if short) conversations with Steve, John Wild Buckley and Rannoch.

What I would like to do is amass all of the information/knowledge/wisdom we have as a group and put it into one thread. Continuing questions/ issues are welcome as well.

Cheers,
Mark in Japan

At the beginning of each workout, I do a heavy set of swings, letting my skin bunch up. A quick hit with my handy-dandy rasp and I am ready to go.

Also, since we live in a very dry climate, I use Bag Balm on my hands right before bed to keep dryness at bay.

Corn huskers lotion is great and pick up a pedicure kit from the drug store to keep caluses shaved and filed down.

firefightersworkout.blogspot.com/2009/09...-for-kettlebell.html

www.americankettlebellworks.com/docs/AKW...ous%20Care%20101.pdf

Next here is something to at least consider as some compromise between bare hand and a glove, which is thin enough to not impact gripping significantly:

tracyrif.blogspot.com/2007/07/tracy-rif-...for-kb-training.html

....perhaps someone can comment as to whether this sock usage works against any positive aspect of training. Hmmmm...I wonder if it is allowed in competitions...I do not know.

Only chalk is allowed in competition. Newskin can be used with some success. No cloth or tape coverings can be used in competition.

Related to this, I was snatching on Tuesday and developed a small blister on my left palm. In the past, although I know better, I would usually pop it or pierce it. But this time I decided to listen to the concensus and leave it alone. Much to my pleasure it has shrunk up, feels like a callous is forming underneath and should be ready for some more tomorrow.

During the day, I'll use Corn Huskers and at night O'Keefes, along with a stone to rub down the callouses as they build up.

Beware lotions and creams with waxes in them, i.e. petroleum, shea butter, cocoa butter, etc. These emulsifiers soften the skin and cause callouses to tear away from the non-calloused skin more easily.

Stick to the corn husker's lotion, or just plain coconut oil works fine as well.

I use coconut oil. When my callouses begin to bunch up, I trim them down with a cuticle clipper; in-between I use a pumice stone or a pedicure scraper.

I've only opened up my skin once- on my palm not a callous- and tea tree oil as the antiseptic and coconut oil as a "topical" worked wonders.

Making sure not to over-chalk the bell is something important to remember.

Recently one of my client's wife introduced me to O.P.I.'s Feet Callus Therapy cream. Although designed for pedicure, I have been using it on both my hands and heels with great results. Only thing is these are only available via manicure salons that are O.P.I. (manicure brand) agents.

I also used to make the mistake of over-chalking the handles a few years back which resulted in tearing off 2" square piece of skin off my palm so a valuable and painful lesson learnt