Hand conditioning

[viking]

I've been trying to harden my hands by punching boards and doing push ups on my knuckles on hard floors. My problem is some of my knuckles on my right hand seem soft and spongy. Am I doing something wrong?
How long should it take for my hands to heal?
Is there a way to strengthen my knuckles other than what I'm doing?
Any info would be appreciated.
Thanks

[Chris Correia]

Why are you wanting to do this? What part(s) of your hand do you want to toughen for what purpose?

[Gradstudent78]

Originally Posted by viking

I've been trying to harden my hands by punching boards

You really shouldn't be doing this unless your under the supervision of a competent teacher. Unless of course your looking forward to years of pain and arthritis, then feel free continue.

[viking]

I do this because I fight a lot. Do you want to tell me a better way to harden my hands?

[Irishdazza]

Originally Posted by viking

I do this because I fight a lot. Do you want to tell me a better way to harden my hands?

There is a cost to hardening your hands...that's why hardly anyone does it anymore.

My first instructor could quite merrily smash bricks, planks, roofing tiles etc....but his knuckles were flat and about the size of 50pence pieces and he had a hard time holding a pen.

Find a decent instructor who can show you a happy compromise between conditioning and self mutilation.

[Chris Correia]

Originally Posted by viking

I do this because I fight a lot. Do you want to tell me a better way to harden my hands?

I suppose it's none of my business whom you are fighting and where, when or why.

In regards to hand toughening, we don't do that. We DO perform pushups on knuckles, whether on mats or hardwood floors, and only at testing time would break or punch boards or bricks, which still can do a number of your knuckles.

So, my only knowledge and advice would be the pushups. As to why some knuckles are soft, I'd post this question and explanation in the injury/rehab forum to see if a PT or someone there can explain why.

And what the other folks said about permanent damage, deforming, etc is true from what I know. Human tissue isn't mean for hitting hard things.

Sometimes the best way to solve a problem is a straight line.

[L'ilJ]

Here's a good article on hand training from Ross Enamait...here

[viking]

Thanks for all the info I will take your advice
thanks again

[goldwave84]

Work on strengthening the muscles in your hand. There are tons of exercises out there, look up iron grippers. They help.