FAQ: Calluses, Weightlifting Belts, and Motivation - Equity Podcast 59

These are a few of the things members wish they knew before they started or wish they would have learned sooner.

Calluses

Calluses are a fact of life when you start working out. We want to think about three primary things.
1) Manage your callus size. Use a tool to reduce the size of the callus. The bigger the callus the more likely it can rip off. A callus shaver is the best option for this. Something like this —> https://amzn.to/3Rl1CSw
2) Taking care of your hands and keeping them hydrated. Dry skin tears much easier. Lotion your hand every night before bed. This will allow the lotion to really penetrate and keep the skin hydrated all day.
3) Use your hands. Make sure you are using your heads. You are using proper holds on different implements. Friction creates tears. Adjust your volume to build up your tolerance over time.

Want more info about maintaining your hands? Check the two links out below.
5 Tips for Bullet-proof Hands
Tearing Your Hands is an Injury - In this I add to the 5 tips

Weightlifting Belt

To learn how to use a belt correctly and what the belt actually does to help you lift check out the link below.
How and Why to use a Weightlifting Belt

When we are doing strength movements we want to start using our belt on the set before we “need” it. This will allow us to get comfortable with the belt before the heavier loads. A belt should NOT be used during warm up sets. This is the time to focus on building abdominal pressure and technique without the belt. The better you can do this without the belt the more helpful the belt will be when you do use it.

For metcons it is users choose. Generally you will use a belt at lighter weights compared to a strength day. For example if I am cleaning 185# on a strength day, i’m probably not using a belt. On the other had 185# cleans in a metcon, I am probably using a belt.

Motivation

Sparks of motivation are fleeting. When getting started you cannot count on it to keep you going. True motivation comes once progress start being made and this is when the snowball gets rolling.

When you are getting started build a plan around the obstacles you face trying to get to the gym and how you will deal with them. Once you start seeing progress towards your goals that is when motivation will really start kicking in.

Thank you and I hope this helps. If you have any questions about the above shoot me a message. If you have a new questions hit me up.

Cheers,
Coach Berek