Coach Tash saves your hands.

Contrary to what some Instagram feeds might portray - ripped hands are not cool. It is an avoidable and unnecessary rookie (unless you are Camille and busting our hundreds of pull ups) mistake which leaves our bars bloody, your hands sore and sets you back in your training. Here are some tips to look after your hands and a quick tutorial to make gymnastic straps to keep them protected. Essential tools of the trade include: tape (cloth tape is ideal and I swear by this brand only), a heel file thing for shaving down calluses, razor blade for extremely stubborn calluses (so creepy when done in a bath with some wine and Janis Joplin in the background) and finally, Healing Hands (a product originally produced for rock climbers, I rest my case). This keeps chalk ravaged hands moisturized and if you already have a rip this helps the healing process. Ok so now that we have our basic maintenance tool kit, lets look at protecting our hands whilst we hang on the bar. Step one: Measure out your tape from the base of your middle finger to below your wrist, then double this up so it is now twice as long. Step 2: Fold your tape in half length wise (sticky side facing each other). You have no made your piece of tape thinner :) Step 3: Take your now skinner piece of tape and create a loop for your finger. All you need to do is bring both ends together. Step 4: You need to secure this by taping your straps back together - your straps should now be back to its original width. Be sure to leave enough space for your finger to slide in through the loop hole. Step 5: Wear straps. Don't rip hands. Make me proud. PS. You can add another strap to create bigger straps that cover the whole palm should you need them. Just secure these two together with more tape.