ouch....

[firstyearpv]

its my first year and i just started about 2 weeks ago... i now have a million bruises on my shins and my hands are getting brusisses and blisters is there anything i can wear to fix either of these problems?

[bvpv07]

hmm...well, I don't know what you can do about the bruises other than ice the area if it swells and hurts

for the blisters, I would advise using bag balm, vaseline, or lotion at night to try and keep your hands a little softer. Depending upon where the blisters are, you can always tape them to prevent some direct friction between them and the pole. If they've already ripped, then you can use the tape to keep a band-aid in place. If the skin hasn't completely ripped off, I would advise not ripping it off immediately, but to keep it on to provide a little protection while the new skin below is exposed to air. If this new skin can get some exposure and be a little dry before you rip the skin off and have it come into direct contact with the pole, then it will defintely not sting as much. Also, just a tip with ripping the skin off (well, you can cut it off and not have to worry about this, too), always pull it in the opposite direction. So, let's say that it's ripped from the bottom and still connected at the top of the blister: pull down. If it's ripped at the top and still connected at the bottom: pull up. If you pull in the same direction as where the skin is still connected, you are just going to rip more skin off.

However, I have to tell you that getting blisters, rips, bruises, and the occaisional spiking (especially when you have new spikes in) is inevitable if you vault. Blisters will turn into callouses over time, and once you become more comfortable with the movements, I'm sure that your number of bruises will decrease (well, maybe not the ones on your arm...but you get used to those). Enjoy it and take pride in the fact that you are becoming a true vaulter!

[rainbowgirl28]

How are you getting bruises on your hands?

It is normal to get pretty banged up from the pole, crossbar, spikes, etc when you are first starting, but if you are bruising really easily, you might want to get your blood checked to see if you are anemic.

[PVer's_Rule]

i guess i am just weid the only thing i had when i started was blisters and they didn't last long. but i have some scars on my legs from spikes

[PVgoalie101]

i never got bruises or blisters but i do have scars on my elbows where all the skin got rubbed off from landing in the pit weird. oh and of course the usual spike scars