Author Topic: any tips for worn out hands? (Read 6574 times)

GO OVRIT · « **on:** July 14, 2013, 07:08:21 PM »

The last year or so my hands seem to cramp pretty quick during agressive riding. My arms hold up fine. It's mostly my clutch hand and mostly my ring finger. I took my ring off today, but I had already made a dozen laps or so and it already hurt. What do I do?

JimShorts · « **Reply #1 on:** July 14, 2013, 07:34:31 PM »

I had the same issues. Wearing a ring will def hurt after a while of riding. Just bought the motion pro terminator clutch cable which I highly recommend. It's a lot smoother pull.

atvmxr · « **Reply #2 on:** July 14, 2013, 10:34:08 PM »

Eat bananas or etc to load up on potassium
There are spring hand gripper exercising things
Doing push ups will also help. A lot of your hand strength actually comes from your forearms
Also heard people squeezing tennis balls or stress balls.

GO OVRIT · « **Reply #3 on:** July 15, 2013, 06:48:33 PM »

I really need to get back in to shape. I was doing pushups and crunches every morning before my little boy was born, but only a dozen or so times in the last 8 months. I might get one of those sqeeze things. It stinks being able to beat up on all the 450s that I ride with for 20 minutes or so and then having to quit and rest while they make a few more laps.

The_Steve_Man · « **Reply #4 on:** July 15, 2013, 07:54:21 PM »

My first thought as soon as I read the title was to get a woman.

Burns363R · « **Reply #5 on:** July 15, 2013, 09:00:46 PM »

What kind of grips do you run? I personally run the waffel (Ruffian) ODI's on my MX bikes, but for XC racing i run the ODI cushier style (Rouge). They will help taking the vibrations out of the bars.

Any chance you have carpel tunnel? Do your hands go to sleep on you at night, or when your riding? Thats something i fight to, im going to have to get the surgery some day

mennis1971 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 15, 2013, 09:42:31 PM »

Burns my hands do that. Getting old sucks. I run Oury grips cuz they are super soft yet wear like iron. Very durable and comfy. I didn't think it was carpal tunnel so much as old age and poor circulation(and I'm only 42). I've had several fingers broke that were never fixed properly too. I do a lot of hard work with my hands in all kinds of weather. Yeah I do take pain meds and they help, but that is just a band a fix and not a cure. It sucks but I can still ride at least. I think what little racing I do is very close to being done though, but some days are better than others. I'm happy to just ride anymore, although racing is fun, but it gets dangerous when you feel like you can't hang on very well at the end of the race. IDK though cuz I got a little girl now so if/when I do race(which is really only about once a year), it's strictly for fun. I go to have fun and usually end up mid pack(nowadays anyways), but safe and unhurt(which is ALWAYS my main goal).

GO OVRIT · « **Reply #7 on:** July 15, 2013, 11:09:34 PM »

I run ODI Rouges. I never thought about carpal tunnel, or poor circulation, but now that you mention it I think I might have some circulation issues. My hands tend to cramp a lot of times when I'm working. Ususally something like hand tightening a bolt above my head. I didn't think I was old. This is the first time I've been 34, but I didn't think that was supposed to be old.

KASEY · « **Reply #8 on:** July 16, 2013, 12:12:46 AM »

I find my hands work great and last a lot longer with the smallest diameter grips I can find,, no cushion I believe that leads to fatigue because you keep changing the amount of grip needed to hold on,, cushy grips no work for me at all,,, oh by the way I am still riding strong and I am 58,,,,,,,,,,

Sky · « **Reply #9 on:** July 16, 2013, 12:16:58 AM »

Stretching helps pre ride. Even days before a race or trip. Pull fingers and hand back while fingers up. Point palm up and stretch fingers back and down.
For simulation training try hanging from something as long as possible and or doing pull ups palm out helps build static tension strength in the forearms, hands and fingers. Pretty much what you do when your holding on for dear life while hitting the pipe in third!
If using the sqeezie, squeeze and hold as long as you can. Pic your reps.

Hope it helps

HAYESTRX250R · « **Reply #10 on:** July 16, 2013, 04:08:53 AM »

You guys are going to think I am nuts but I have carpal tunnel along with a some pain in my knuckles and joints ect... It has all gotten worse regardless if I have been riding and lately I notice that what relieves all of it is going swimming. I guess something is to be said about low impact exercise. And Burns is right nothing is gonna do much for Carpal Tunnel when it comes to riding short of surgery.

mennis1971 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 16, 2013, 07:23:56 AM »

Interest point about grip size Kasey. I've been riding motorcycles A LOT lately and they all have smaller grips then the R's I have. Haven't rode the R in quite awhile so it's hard for me to compare. Been seriously thinking about a twist on the R since I no longer mx it.

Burns363R · « **Reply #12 on:** July 16, 2013, 07:32:32 AM »

My old man had carpel tunnel bad. All the years or turning wrenches and using his palms as hammers made the "carpel tunnel" muscle get strong. Which cuts off the the area that your tendons/veins go through into your hand. Thats why as you use your hands or position them funny at night they go to sleep, the veins get cut off.

Basically for the surgery they just cut that little muscle in your hand that closes the area off. It relieves the pressure and re heals as a longer muscle. I think my dad was not able to use his hand for a few days. But he said it didnt hurt and has been amazing for him. He no longer has any issues with his hands.

I will have to get mine done eventually. I have noticed my hands are going to sleep alot more often since i started racing MX again. I think the vibrations in the bars from the 250R's contribute.

Tbone07 · « **Reply #13 on:** July 16, 2013, 08:24:37 AM »

I've got a good exercise for eliminating arm pump...but it isn't forum appropriate