Thumb splitting with hook grip DL

[Greg Ruhl]

When I hook grip my DL >350# I end up ripping my skin open on my thumb. The location is on the pad of the thumb but very close to the joint. The tear occurs across the thumb and it's not a callus issue. Does anyone else have this happen? Any thoughts on prevention? Can the depth of the hook affect this? I use chalk.

For now I'm using straps + supplementing with CoC grippers.

[Meshuggah]

The hook grip really isn't a good idea.

[Murelli]

Maybe if you are gripping to high on your thumb the bar will slide and tear the skin. Maybe.

[Joe Jaloszynski]

How much are you deadlifting? I use the hook and have never split my thumb open.

Also, how aggressive is the knurling on the bar?

[hollismb]

I'll pinch the skin near this area on my left hand from time to time if I start with the bar too high in the hand. Try lowering it a bit to where it's going to settle anyway. And chalk.

[chromoly]

Try tape on your thumbs. I hook grip on aggressively knurled bars and have never torn my thumb skin.

[melody]

Lotsa chalk.

[Chris McCarthy]

It certainly can take some tinkering to find a place that minimizes the risk of tearing and, for some, that risk never really goes away...no shame in taping at any point in the process.

[Tom K]

Tape.

[Greg Ruhl]

Thanks everyone. The weight is just in the high 300s at this point. I originally tore it on a very smooth 32mm bar. Note that the tear is actually a very clean split (not like a callus ripping off). I'll experiment with tape and taking a slightly shallower grip.