Hook grip causing my thumb nails to cut into my skin

[Merritt Kolman]

I hurt my thumbs using the hook grip on the deadlift. My nails cut into the nail bed!!!!!

Has this ever happened to anyone else before????

What do I do? I don't want to get infections at the gym.

Should I strap or use an alternate grip? I don't really want to cut my thumbnails or anything.

[Claire65]

"I hurt my thumbs using the hook grip on the deadlift. My nails cut into the nail bed!!!!!
Has this ever happened to anyone else before????
What do I do? I don't want to get infections at the gym.
Should I strap or use an alternate grip? I don't really want to cut my thumbnails or anything."

Is it because your nails are too long or too short? Don't cut them too short. If they are too long, make sure they are smooth (use a file).

[AndrewLewis]

I hurt my thumbs using the hook grip on the deadlift. My nails cut into the nail bed!!!!!

Has this ever happened to anyone else before????

What do I do? I don't want to get infections at the gym.

Should I strap or use an alternate grip? I don't really want to cut my thumbnails or anything.

You're taking your hookgrip wrong. Post a video, and we can better help.

[VNV]

I hurt my thumbs using the hook grip on the deadlift. My nails cut into the nail bed!!!!!

Has this ever happened to anyone else before????

What do I do? I don't want to get infections at the gym.

Should I strap or use an alternate grip? I don't really want to cut my thumbnails or anything.

In my early hook grip days, if my thumb nail was too short, the skin under the nail would slightly separate from the nail. Several adjustments fixed that, not least grip technique. I stopped gripping the tip of my thumb with my middle finger, and moved the grip in towards the thumb base.

[Mark Rippetoe]

Hook Grip for the Deadlift | Mark Rippetoe

The Hook Grip | Mark Rippetoe

[Mark E. Hurling]

Given the 2018 date of the OP, this matter has probably been overcome by subsequent events.

[J. Killmond]

Also, p. 192 of SSBBT (the blue book) for the writeup and a nice picture of the grip

And this Coach Horn video from 2018, which I like especially for the tip on jamming the bar into the web between the fingers and the thumb:

The Hook Grip with Short Fingers | Paul Horn

[AndrewLewis]

Given the 2018 date of the OP, this matter has probably been overcome by subsequent events.

Well spotted.

[Eric Schexnayder]

Given the 2018 date of the OP, this matter has probably been overcome by subsequent events.

His fingers have surely been ground into tiny nubbins by now.