Blistered Hands? Keep It Clean with The Natural Grip

Racing without Natural Grips

A little about myself, my name is Scott Rohlfing, I’m a sophomore in college in Madison Wisconsin and hopeful to become a biomedical engineer. I’ve raced dirt bikes since I was 7 years old racing in multiple domains of the sport, but mainly flat track and now offroad. I also am a CrossFit coach at an affiliate in Verona, Wisconsin,  CrossFit 1847. I’ve raced all over the Midwest and Northern half of the United States and competed at multiple CrossFit competitions all over the Midwest, the largest being Granite Games. Throughout my racing career I’ve had some good support, and it was awesome to get support from Natural Grip that I can utilize in both sports in my life and show how great their product is for more than just what they advertise it for. Here is my breakdown of The Natural Grip product that I’ve been testing the last 12 weeks and as to why they should be your next go-to product.

First off, if you’re someone who likes to read about a product and know what you’re getting into this portion is for you. After looking at the design and material of the Natural Grip you may think, “I can build these.” But, don’t be fooled. I tried just to see how it would work and Scott’s Homemade Grips was a total disaster. The tape rubbed under my fingers because it didn’t fit quite right, the grade of the 100% zinc oxide tape I used didn’t seem to measure up to the Natural Grip’s, the homemade grips lasted about a class and a half at CrossFit while I’m going on six weeks in the same pair of Natural grips. By all means, go for it and try to build your own homemade grips, but it’s tough to recreate a product as good as these.

Primo Under the Gloves 

More over, the break in period: It took a bit to get used to wearing a pair of Natural Grips because I wasn’t really used to wearing anything on my hands while working out and especially racing (besides gloves). Especially because I’m a personality type where less is always more.  Initially the grip is a bit stiff out of the package, but I wanted to give them a fair try so I didn’t give in. After only a couple hours with the grips I’m completely satisfied! The stiff feeling went away first and the grips moved with the palm (if you wear cotton gymnastics grips the material isn’t bulky and doesn’t bunch up in spots like the cloth ones do). Only an hour or so more in these and they formed quite nicely to the shape of my palm. Overall, it took about 3 hours for the grips to break in completely and myself to not notice me wearing them.

I would personally describe The Natural Grip as a custom fit to someone who hasn’t used them. You initially buy the size based off your ring size, personally I have large muscular fingers, so I bought the 10.5 size (same as shoe size, or if you know your ring size). At first it was a bit snug for me, but they loosened up. I actually enjoyed having them a bit smaller initially because it cut down on material around my fingers and kept The Natural Grips taught even after six weeks. After their initial break in period the main part of the grip starts to form to the shape of your palm, unlike the cotton style gymnastics grips I’ve used in the past that will form to shape any part of the hand, The Natural Grip actually forming to the palm helps keep it in place (much like a set of molded shoes or skates) keeping it from rubbing on your hand.

Who’s going to complain about a product that is unnoticeable when it comes to wearing it, but 100% noticable with results? Nobody is. The Natural Grips are the best thing I’ve worn yet for hand protection. They protect your palms and keep hand chaffing and blistering to a minimal. They are relatively slim under a pair of gloves, and once broken in they stick to the palm cavity nicely and move naturally with the hand. The only fall back is having to tape them down when you use them to workout. It takes a little practice to get the tape on with your awkward hand and to know where you like the tension of the grip to be. But, that’s relatively a small problem to complain about. When it comes to wearing them for motocross, I didn’t even need to tape them, they didn’t slide at all once underneath my gloves.

As someone who was used to beat up hands from working out 5 days a week and doing motos another 1-2 days with no protection my hands took a beating. Thanks to The Natural Grip, I no longer have to deal with the painful struggle of blistering.

If you're interested in getting a set contact me: SRohlfingktm@gmail.com

Or buy them at: http://thenaturalgrip.com/

'Tis The Season, Better Late Than Never

June 5th, 2015

 
 First, I'd like to thank the great supporters and sponsors that SMRacing has been lucky enough to receive this year: FMF, MSR MX, The Natural Grip, Renthal, Mom & Dad, and Grandma. Thanks to these supporters because a lot of our program wouldn't be possible or as easy without them!

Prior to the Roselawn EN Start, looking
"STEEZY" in the MSR gear 

     The blog had a late start this year due to finishing up my freshman year of college, so it had to get sidelined until the school year came to completion. But, we're up and running now and I'm going to do a give a quick overview of the year to get caught up to this point!

     First race of the season was in Morrison, IL on March 29. A "Bitter Start" to the racing season for sure. The day was filled with 35º of rain and mud up to your knees. Overall, the day went really smoothly for me! Keeping the bike right side up and racing smooth through the gnarly conditions for all 60miles to a 4th place finish in Open A.

In Between Checks at the
 Bitter Start Enduro

Roselawn, IN was the second race of the season, which was also an Enduro. By this time I had a few practice sessions in my awesome MSR brand gear and had the FMF exhaust system singing. Racing Open A again, there was a lot of fast guys at Roselawn. Feeling fast and smooth I ended up in the midst of the top of the pack getting a 7th place finish in Open A and a 4th place finish in the district.

Log Practice at "Speedy" Pete L's 

 The third race of the season was Adams Co. for the first hare scramble of the year. Adams was a struggle for SMRacing. Had a great start in A class being in the top 5 going into the first corner, first lap I felt strong and smooth and picked off two more positions working up to third place. At the 20 minute mark my forearms pumped up and I lost complete control of the bike for the next two laps. Struggling to keep a pace, I fell back to 16th place in two laps. Feeling down but not out and working through the debilitating and aggravating arm pump I worked my way back through the pack in the last 40min of the race finishing in 6th place in Open A, and 16th Overall. Not a bad start to our Hare Scramble season, but knowing I was a top 3 racer and unable to get a spot on the podium was a disappointment.

   Again, thanks to the awesome sponsors and especially The Natural Grip for jumping on board recently. The Natural Grip is a hand care product used for exercise and great for racing. Due to the high demand for tough hands many times racers can't help but get bad blisters during a race. The Natural Grip is very low profile hand protection against blisters and raw hands. Check out their website and order yourself a pair to try out! Or email me and I can set you up with trying out a set! 

The Natural Grip

Scott's Email 

Race Report 3

Scott Rohlfing

SMRacing

7-20-14

WEDRON, IL 

    It was a weird start to the day not being me and my dad racing and bringing mom instead. But, due to football practice starting up we wouldn't make it back in time for him to make the start of practice. But, mom did a great job filling in! The drive up was a little stressful. You know when you're always told the saying "When you come to a fork in the road, take the one less traveled"? Yeah, don't apply that driving... We ended up swerving all about country roads for an hour and a half before finally reaching a highway. To later find out I saved a whole $1.90 in tolls... Life lessons right? So, there's one lesson learned thus far on this day. 

   After arrival everything was going very smoothly, we unloaded, signed up, and had an hour to check out the track. When race time came I felt great! My training has been on point and my bike was working well. My new FMF Fatty pipe looked beautiful, sounded gorgeous, and performs better than it looks and sounds! So, off the start I was in about 6th place and by the end of the first lap I had worked up to the lead. It wasn't long after when I began to suffer from arm pump. It doesn't matter how good of shape you are in! IF YOU DEVELOP ARM PUMP YOU CAN NOT RACE A DIRT BIKE WELL! That's what happened. I fell off the face of the Earth for the first hour after that. I stopped and shook out my arms at the end of each lap, and mom was great and helped stretch them out too, but of course my lead was gone at that point. Around the 55min mark I began to feel better; and the last hour I found my groove! I felt awesome and I think it was the best hour I've raced all year. I'm not happy with the place I finished, but I'm happy that I know I can run at the top when the forearms are well. Just more motivation. Thanks mom for being a great substitute at the track today, couldn't have done it without you! Also, very thankful to my sponsors Asterisk, AXO, FMF, Decal Works, Smith Optics, Renthal, and Cycra. Finally, I couldn't do this without the man above, my Savior and Lord, for answering my prayers and keeping us all safe out there today, and bringing us home safely. 

Things to work on:

Arm Pump-  

                Cardiovascular Training- to help with the Venous Flow of the blood out of the muscles.  

                

                 Myofascial Release- Working on the fascial tissue stretching it out by using my Rogue WodFloss band, rolling the forearm out, and stretching. 

                

                 Strength- Working on strengthening the fingers with a grip exerciser. 

                

                 Lactate Acid Release- Ice bathe the arms for two day prior to my event to help out with getting rid of the Lactate Acid build up in the muscle.  

        This will be the next step in obtaining that position "On Top of the Box!" 

Thanks for reading! 

Race Report 2

Scott Rohlfing

Race Report #2 

June 29, 2014

 Follow Me @Instagram

Follow Me @Twitter

“Practice makes perfect” 

The motto that I have been using thus far this year has definitely made a difference in my race results and improvement the past few weeks. Last week, I was able to get out riding twice, once at my good friend Speedy Pete’s place in some tight technical woods, and switch up the pace at Hill Point Motocross. Couldn’t have asked for better weather and practice sessions. I’ve been drilling a lot of corner speed exercises and working on better positioning on my bike. While doing scrubby-do’s and airing out some serious singles moto-ing I somehow managed to snap the linkage bolt on my KTM 300xc! Not something I want to be dealing with going into the weekend of the Loose Moose National Enduro. Being the limber quick thinkers my father and I are, we ordered a new bolt and had it in time for the race!… But, we forgot to order the nut that snapped off with it… Sadly, but luckily Curt Shomberg, who is out with a torn bicep, has a KTM with linkage which he was nice enough to lend me his nut (Don’t worry he still has two left)! Thanks, Curt! 

The Loose Moose National Enduro! Always a great event and atmosphere, feeling healthy and prepared I felt really good for the race. Going in, the nerves were low, not sure if it was just the confidence from last year… or the relaxing rain pouring on us going into the first test… Anyways, I was on minute 52, not a great minute to be on for smooth trails to say the least. The trail was rutted out and filled with big acceleration bumps and even bigger braking bumps. The difference maker was in the ability for me to find smooth trail. I went from riding the course 20 feet ahead the first test, to racing through the terrain in the second test. As the day went on I became smoother and smoother and faster and faster. By the third test I felt right at home, and was able to keep up with the other two riders throughout the test (Open A and 30+ A riders). With the fourth test being a short 5 miles, I had a feeling my last test was going to be a bit technical. Which by no means was the most technical 10 miles I have rode all year! The huge moon rocks and whooped out ruts caused some chaos with slower riders, but a smooth throttle over the moon rocks, and solid conditioning to braap through the whoops made for a fun technical last section. Can’t complain about getting a 2nd place in Open B at a National Enduro, but I already have things I want to work on before the next race! Can’t thank my mom and dad enough for their support at home and at the racetrack. Also, I couldn’t do it without my sponsors AXO, Asterisk, FMF, Decal Works, Smith Optics, Renthal, and Cycra. 

Braaap

Race Report: 1

Scott Rohlfing 

June 16, 2014 

Two Weeks

Instagram

Twitter

Finally it’s race season for Team SMR Racing (Scott Mark Rohlfing, it’s a pretty legit acronym)! I was late to the season due to a injured thumb from wrestling this past March. I tore my UCL in my thumb which required surgery, casts, and extensive occupational therapy. Getting a late start on the season was not something I enjoyed because seat time is something that I desperately need to push myself to the next level. But, with every closed door there is another one open. With all the extra time on my hands from March until June, I was able to focus solely on training. I started training a CrossFit gym and fell in love with the whole atmosphere and workouts. Since March I have been training 1-2 times a day 6 days a week, which has prepared me to be in the best shape possible coming into any racing season. On May 30 I had my final doctor and was cleared to get back on the bike. So that weekend SMR went racing at Hixton, WI for the District 16 Hare Scramble series. The plan was to ride the race until I felt comfortable enough to start pushing. I rode the first hour battling a fight with arm pump, which subsided with me finding my old groove the start of the second hour. With 45min remaining all hell broke loose and we began racing through a thunderstorm that completely flipped the cards for many riders. Speaking for myself I’ve never had so much fun racing in the slick 6in deep single track mud. Needless to say I think the only reason it was possible to enjoy the track still was because of my great conditioning. 

So what’s new now? Well, after that mud fest my bike was left limping away requiring me to take out a mortgage to repair it… New chain and sprockets, new pipe, new pegs, and bark busters which are all on their way over to my doorstep. This is why training and seat time are so important to me, because when you pound out the hard work during the week you get positive results and good support. I’m just going to continue to stay positive, train hard, and be faithful and hope the Lord guides me in the right directions. 

A big thanks to AXO, Asterisk, FMF, Smith Optics, Renthal, Decal Works, and Cycra! Also my Mom and Dad for the support on the track and at home and my Grandma, who is my inspiration and idol.