Ripping Hands

Hi,

I started gymnastics about 3 years ago and in the last 6 months have taken up rings and high bar frequently (at least 5 hours a week). My palms are still ripping almost each time I use the equipment (especially high bar). I feel as though I should rest them to let them heal, but at the same time, I don't want to lose out on progress.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what I can do to minimise ripping? Or when I can expect to finally have tougher hands?

Thanks,

This thread may be of help-

http://gymnasticbodies.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=5436

I have the same problem everytime I try highbar and PB after a not doing it for a while. For highbar you need grips, but at first my hands still rip. Only thing that helped me was to start slowly and kinda feel out the skin, stop before the it becomes to much and add to it. But most everyone at my gym has some rips every now and then.

Oh yeah, if someone tells you to pee on the rip to "toughen" it so that it'll grow faster. DON'T. I sorry to say I have first hand (pun) experience with that.

Just remembered, I think there is a link here about soaking your hands in salted water to toughen up. Probably not a good idea with rips, cause well, pee analogy.

I use surgical spirit on my hands. I've got a small spray bottle in my bag that I use every day to keep my hands from ripping. Its not a perfect method as my hands rip occasionally but definatly has reduced the amount of rips I get!

your hands will get tougher in time, 5 months is not a lot of time.

make some tape grips besides using apparatus grips.