Gymnasts I'm always getting rips on bars. Any suggestions?

[Mikaylagymnast]

Recently, whenever I try tap swings on the high bar, I open up several rips. (Rips are like blisters that you get on bars) My coach told me once it heals it will most likely not rip again, but they are painful and annoying so if there's any tips for how to not get those rips...

 

[gymnastics12312]

Do you have grips

 

[Mthegymqueen]

Grips and lots of chalk

How long are you spending on bars each practice?

 

[HopefulGymnast]

- Make sure you aren't gripping the bar too tightly.
- Make sure your hands aren't too dry.
- Make sure any calluses are nice and smooth so they don't catch on the bar.
- It may help to cover them with something while they heal.
I do hope the coach is giving them enough time to heal between bars sessions

 

[xcelerate]

If you do have grips, I’d recommend Vaseline (I prefer Vaseline to Aquaphor for this use). I have problems with burning and my teammate had a problem with rips so what we do is put a little bit of Vaseline over our calluses and then put the grip on top of it. It doesn’t harm the bar when it’s under your grip and it helps with the friction that causes burning and rips (I also feel like it helps me shift faster). If your ripping outside of the area your grips cover put Vaseline on and then cover it with pre-wrap and then tape so it doesn’t get on the bar (this is also works if you don’t have grips!). This has literally been a lifesaver for me so I hope this helps!

 

[Splat]

I agree with everyone above, but mainly focus on not gripping the bar too tight. Many of my girls rip when they are scared of doing a skill. As for heeling make sure you trim it up and put some sore of oitment on it. I like to keep my calluses filed down to help prevent future rips.

 

[GymnastPotterhead]

If you don't use grips, use tape grips when you're healing from a rip and have to do bars.
If you do use grips, you can put the tape grip and wear normal grips over that.

 

[Highbarfan]

Sorry, could you explain what the “tape grip” is? Do you mean just taping the hands under the grip?

 

[HopefulGymnast]

This and then taping it to your wrist

 

[Highbarfan]

OK. Thank you. It looks like the ladies grips for the uneven bars, just thinner and without rolls. My main problem is and has always been the thumb at the high bar and I have used loads of tape in combination with extra thin grips for the rest of the hand. Are there maybe any better solutions?

 

[Gymnasticsismylife]

An assistant coach told me once to file down any dead skin on your hand.

 

[Highbarfan]

I just get open wounds on my thumbs, where they are gliding along the bar with chalk. So there is nothing to file down.

 

[GymnastPotterhead]

I just get open wounds on my thumbs, where they are gliding along the bar with chalk. So there is nothing to file down.

When you grip the bar is your thumb over or under

 

[Highbarfan]

My thumb is under the bar, but it is the thin metal high bar (for male artistic gymnastics), not the thick wooden uneven bar for women.

 

[GymnastPotterhead]

My thumb is under the bar, but it is the thin metal high bar (for male artistic gymnastics), not the thick wooden uneven bar for women.

Oh, well I was gonna recommend trying thumbs over but as far as I know, thats for WAG. Have you tried asking your coach? Have you tried taping your thumb?

 

[Highbarfan]

I do not have a coach and I always do tape my thumbs. I just thought, somebody might have a better idea.

 

[HopefulGymnast]

maybe try asking in the MAG forum? Specifying that it's your thumb on the mens high bar? I think most people here assumed you were doing womens bars.

Personally I do find that my hands keep ripping if I don't give them the time to fully heal. So keep that in mind. If they're still healing, I use the strap bar instead of normal bars. Maybe that can help you?

 

[Pineapple_Lump]

I do not have a coach and I always do tape my thumbs. I just thought, somebody might have a better idea.

Try putting balloons under the tape to prevent the rubbing. It's possible you are gripping too tight - but that is something you need a coach to determine.

 

[Highbarfan]

Thank you very much! In which way can I use balloons under the tape? Do you men classical inflatable party balloons? Is it just to get the thin smooth rubber between the skin and the tape?