fingernails problem, help =)

threeskin · 15-Aug-06, 12:52 AM

ok perhaps the ladies here could help me out with this one.

i play guitar religiously and i have these somewhat long nails on my right hand for fingerpicking/classical guitar that i refuse to part with. (i would not cut them for my girlfriend and i will not cut them for this).

anyway, the problem is, i started lifting recently and sometimes when i lift, especially bench, the nails dig into the heel of my palm. i have numerous cuts and scratches on my palm now and it's really irritating during the workout and can be a real burden on my concentration. it severly compromises my grip and throws everything off. i tried bandaids on my palm or wrapping something around that hand but that is also uncomfortable.

any suggestions?
thank you all =)

**.V.** · 15-Aug-06, 07:45 AM

Sorry, it sounds like you've got to make a choice. Pretty nails or a good physique. Just go with the one that's most important to you.

luke.w · 15-Aug-06, 10:17 AM

I'd think after your hands heal, you'll build a tough layer of skin, and this should not happen as often, my advice is let the skin heal, do other forms of exercise until it heels, then lift with the barbell again, this may be the BEST thing as you won't overdo any lifting like everyone else in the world.

rab91787 · 15-Aug-06, 10:54 AM

Well umm... being a female you naturally won't be pressing big weight, atleast not right away... anyway so you might be able to get away with not even closing your hands completely. I bet after you get the bar off of the rack and have it in your palm you should have no problem controlling it without having your fingers curled all the way and digging into your hand. I wouldn't try something like this unless you had a spotter and really low weight though (like just the bar). The best thing ofcourse would be just to trim down the nails. Just my 2 cents.

CF-OC_gal · 15-Aug-06, 12:56 PM

I'm a lady and I have strong clear natural fingernails which grow fast when I eat properly. At the salon, the esthetician gets excited about their quality because she never sees them like mine (she doesn't get to work on my nails either). My point with that is that they could be a real source of compliments for me if I would give in and flaunt them.

Instead I cut them down every chance I get, not ugly, just enough to keep them under control. I need to use my hands for a living. I have no complaints about them digging in or interfering with my keyboarding or handwork this way. (Ugh dirty fingernails are gross) . If I want them long, I just stop cutting but then they have to be shaped and fussed over much more than otherwise.

You need your nails for your art. Establish your priorities and make no excuses about it why you do what you do. The only solution I know to nails digging in is to cut them short. Have you tried fingerpicks? I know I hated glasses when my eyesight started to change uncontrollably. It took 3 months of trying, getting frustrated , fighting it and trying again to get used to them. I miss my old vision but I do much better quality work now that I've accepted what has to be.

luke.w · 15-Aug-06, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rab91787

Well umm... being a female you naturally won't be pressing big weight,

if shes determined, and trains right,and interested in that sorta thing, she could

:

rab91787 · 15-Aug-06, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luke.w

if shes determined, and trains right,and interested in that sorta thing, she could

:

that's why I added "atleast not right away" !

**LiftGirl** · 15-Aug-06, 05:09 PM

How about gloves? My nails are a medium length and the padding on the gloves keeps them from digging in. I'm not sure how long yours are though.

17-Aug-06, 08:46 AM

Ummm.....threeskin is a male, I believe.

I agree with LiftGirl. Try some lifting gloves. The padding might be enough to keep your nails from digging in.

luke.w · 17-Aug-06, 09:12 AM

another case of mistaken gender, I got caught up in RAB's assumtion, and never even thought about it, ah well, thats what happens not posting your name or stats somewhere.

no appologies from me

the internet

rab91787 · 17-Aug-06, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luke.w

another case of mistaken gender, I got caught up in RAB's assumtion, and never even thought about it, ah well, thats what happens not posting your name or stats somewhere.

no appologies from me

the internet

Oh damn... wow I suck at this. Hahahahah... my fault. Apologies

SNPiccolo5 · 17-Aug-06, 02:45 PM

I don't think that you'll necessarily have to "sacrifice a good physique" for your nails. Gloves would help, IMO. On how many excercises does this happen for you, again?

-Tim

threeskin · 18-Aug-06, 11:23 PM

lol sorry for the confusion, yes i am male. the only reason i have long nails on my right hand is for classical guitar like i said.
the main problem is benching. just the other day, while benching, i dug my nail nearly a quarter inch into my skin. ouch

thanks for the replies, i just ordered a pair of gloves on ebay, hopefully all will be well

Merrida · 25-Aug-06, 09:09 AM

Try not white-knuckling your grips either.