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Dear Coach: How Do I Keep My Hands From Ripping?

This week a reader asks how to prevent ripping of the skin on her palms, and if they are ripped, the best way to heal them up. I've got plenty of tips for both those things!

Becca Borawski

Written by

Dear Coach,

So I am coach at my CrossFit box and a lot of our athletes have asked about how to avoid, care for, and keep your hands rip free. I seem to tear every time I try to do a hefty amount, no matter how well I have shaved down or pumiced my calluses. Just wondering if you have any awesome tips for hand maintenance?

Sincerely,

Running Out of Tape

Dear Running Out of Tape,

Well, you are in luck because I actually wrote a couple articles on this very topic a while back. Ripping your palms is something just about every CrossFitter goes through. Some people’s hands will toughen up over time and other people’s skin will stay sensitive. Part of it is just genetic. But a big part of it is caring for your body and being prepared before the workout. If you do wind up with rips, there are some great, simple ways to get them to heal faster, too.

Please check out the following articles:

Hand Care 101: Preventing Rips
Hand Care 102: Treating Rips

And if none of that ever works you can always try what Bart Conner told a friend of mine he saw the Soviet gymnasts do back in the day – urinate on their torn hands! (Seriously, that’s what he said they did!)

Coach Becca Borawski

(Click here for articles by Coach Becca)

Becca Borawski

About Becca Borawski

Becca found her way to a career in health and fitness through Martial Arts and CrossFit. Originally a music editor for film and television, Becca started studying Martial Arts in 2000. Though she started with traditional Martial Arts it was not long before she discovered Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and her path was forever altered. She began training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and Muay Thai and started working with professional MMA fighters, building websites, working on fight promotions, and producing videos.

As a competitor in BJJ herself, Becca wanted to get stronger and fitter. In 2006 she discovered CrossFit and became a student at CrossFit Los Angeles. In only a couple of years she became CrossFit Level III Certified, left her career in the film industry, and dedicated herself full time to coaching. She has since been certified through CrossFit in Olympic Lifting, Powerlifting, Nutrition, Endurance and Kids coaching. She also held an NSCA-CSCS from 2006-2008 and is a certified IndoRow instructor. In addition to coaching adults, she founded the CrossFit LA Kids program in 2010 and taught children aged 5-17.

Becca regularly takes on new sports, which have included indoor rowing, fencing, and most recently, cycling, as she believes it makes her both a better athlete and a better coach. In order to reach more people with her coaching, Becca also created ModernAthena.com – a website dedicated to women in pursuit of physical fitness and self-improvement.

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