Written 5/16/2024
Hello Dear Readers,
Since I began incorporating regular pull-up exercises into my workout routine, I’ve encountered the persistent issue of callouses. Interestingly, this is a problem my sister experienced years before me during high school as a gymnast. She often faced the painful reality of her hard-earned callouses being torn off due to rigorous training.
Back then, my sister had her own method of managing these nuisances. She diligently applied vitamin E to the raw areas before bandaging them with gauze and tape. So, when I started dealing with similar issues, naturally, I turned to her for advice. In response, she generously gifted me a pair of workout gloves to protect my hands during exercise.
However, the situation has evolved. Recently, I’ve noticed the callouses on my hands have thickened significantly. If they grow unchecked, I risk having them tear painfully, much like my sister used to endure. Fortunately, I have a convenient solution at hand to prevent that from happening.
A few years ago, I gave my wife a multipurpose tool equipped with a grindstone attachment intended initially to smooth out skin callouses, primarily caused by frequent pen use. My wife, an avid writer who spends time journaling, studying, and planning, suffered from callouses during her student years due to constant writing. She finds the tool quite effective.
Though it’s designed for foot callouses, it works equally well for the ones on my hands. I plan to use it judiciously over the next few days, ensuring I only file them down for short periods to avoid overdoing them.
This shared approach within our family helps us manage our skin issues. It strengthens our bond by passing down solutions and tools that address our shared challenges. Whether through high school gymnastics or adult fitness routines, our family has developed a reliable method for callous care that serves us across generations.