Clojurians Log v2

Love bouldering! Feels like a free workout

I agree, though I suck at it 🙂 and my hands are apparently very delicate as I have torn off skin in 4 different places now. But it does feels like a free workout.

Haha, I remember when I first started. It was during covid, and my university had a strict policy mandating the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers upon entry. It was a painful few weeks before the skin on my hands toughened up.

I can relate. My friend whom I visit the gym with does not suffer from this issue at all and is effortlessly climbing a grade above me too… life is unfair.

Your skin will get used to it, but also as you climb harder you transition to smaller, less juggy holds which will damage your skin less. This is because you hang less on the fleshy joint parts of your finger and more on the pads at the tips of your finger. Also, your body tension will improve as you get better, which means you have much less shearing forces on your skin (because you swing around less) which is what's causing the flappers in the first place. I'm glad you're enjoying the new hobby 😉