First off, who saw the last episode of Grey's?

So you think they off Izzy AND George?

For a moment, I welled up.

This of course, led me to think about CrossFit.

My calloused hand peeps - a lot of you walked into CFD a month or so ago with no callouses whatsoever. Now, instead of wearing lifting gloves, you are growing them. Or have grown them. Or maybe even just had a tear.

So - let's talk a moment about how to take care of your hands so you can keep taking care of business in the gym instead of taking unexpected days off.

If your callous(es?) is/are intact - one option you might have heard me knocking around is using Pretty Feet and Hands - a rough skin exfoliant. I've found just dabbing some on the area I want to exfoliate, waiting ten seconds, rubbing my hands together vigorously -- works to keep them down somewhat.

Thing is, that's really just part of what you should think of as your "Hand Plan". You need to take care of them seeing as how we do lots of stuff to create callouses, which you MUST have. Thing is, those same movement that create the callous, well, they can destroy them as well. Thing is, with a bit of care, it should happen just every once in a while by accident, or you will have decided your time means too much so you don't drop off that bar to re-chalk on those last three reps and...maybe you should have re-chalked.

Soak. Like you've been in the pool / lake way too long soak. Think hand prunes. Twenty or so minutes in warm water will do it. Maybe treat yourself to a bath? Well, once soaked, your callouses should form raised white areas that you can gently exfoliate with a butter knife. Flatten them down. Make 'em smooth. Then go ahead and moisturize boys and girls. I happen to be a Lubiderm guy. LubRIderm? Whatever. I snatch whatever the wife has. Go through this regimen 2x a week.

I have not used it, but I've heard good things about Corn Huskers Lotion. It keeps your hands from drying out. Use ONLY AFTER A WOD.

So there you go. If anyone else wants to share tips -- post in the comments.