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