Hands get stuck

[beach_plums]

So, I'm having an unusual problem when I use dumbbells 35lbs or heavier on exercises like the 1 pt row and single leg Romanian deadlifts...when I put the dumbbells down, my hands/fingers remain stuck in the bent-up grab a dumbbell position. It's almost like I've got claws. I actually have to peel my fingers up to straighten out my hands.

My initial thought is that this has to do with grip strength, but haven't had any problems at all with this when using the barbell at heavier weights. Also, it doesn't feel like the dumbbells are slipping in anyway, shape, or form, and I don't need to re-adjust my grip at all. Any ideas on what to do to help fix this? Am I right on guessing the cause?

I considered using the bar for some exercises calling for dumbbells, since it's not a problem with the bar, but I'm not sure that would work out too well with the above mentioned moves.

[Lisa~]

How strange that it doesn't happen with comparable load on a barbell. It sounds like a hand cramp, but I think you'd know if your hand was cramping. I also think you'd have grip issues. So, not sure exactly what it is. Do you think there's any movement in the DBs during your lifts? I mean, does it tilt forward/back or side-to-side, so that your hands and forearms are having to stabilize it in a way that you wouldn't have to stabilize a bar? And if that idea is on the right track, then can you brace your wrists (I just mean muscularly, not an external brace) to control any motion? Does that help?

On the other hand, there's no reason to not use a barbell on these exercises. Just set it up on the floor in front of you and pick it up when you bend over for the first rep. Mike Boyle uses a barbell for single-leg RDL all the time. The row might even feel more stable with a bar.

[DirtyMartini]

That is strange that it doesn't happen with a barbell. How do the handles on the dumbbells compare to the barbell? Are they similar? Major difference in diameter?

the only thing I can think of is that your tendons are reacting differently and causing some kind of temporary trigger finger of sorts. Of course, I'm not even close to a medical expert... if it continues, I'd see a hand specialist just to get things checked out. I did that for my foot & it turns out I have tendon issues with my feet. Never would have guessed that tendons were the cause.

[Morkai]

Oh cool thanks lisa, I hate taking up a squat rack for my barbell rows and then disappearing of to my regular spot to do the dumbell rdl's. Of course it never occured to me until just now to take the db's to the squat rack but I think I would prefer doing the rdl's with a bb anyhow.

[beach_plums]

Originally Posted by Lisa~

How strange that it doesn't happen with comparable load on a barbell. It sounds like a hand cramp, but I think you'd know if your hand was cramping. I also think you'd have grip issues. So, not sure exactly what it is. Do you think there's any movement in the DBs during your lifts? I mean, does it tilt forward/back or side-to-side, so that your hands and forearms are having to stabilize it in a way that you wouldn't have to stabilize a bar? And if that idea is on the right track, then can you brace your wrists (I just mean muscularly, not an external brace) to control any motion? Does that help?

On the other hand, there's no reason to not use a barbell on these exercises. Just set it up on the floor in front of you and pick it up when you bend over for the first rep. Mike Boyle uses a barbell for single-leg RDL all the time. The row might even feel more stable with a bar.

Lisa, There doesn't seem to be an additional movement in my wrists or hands when I do these moves. It's the strangest thing to me. My fingers just get stuck. No cramping, no pain, just stuck.
I'll try doing these moves with the barbell next time and see how that goes.

Originally Posted by DirtyMartini

That is strange that it doesn't happen with a barbell. How do the handles on the dumbbells compare to the barbell? Are they similar? Major difference in diameter?

the only thing I can think of is that your tendons are reacting differently and causing some kind of temporary trigger finger of sorts. Of course, I'm not even close to a medical expert... if it continues, I'd see a hand specialist just to get things checked out. I did that for my foot & it turns out I have tendon issues with my feet. Never would have guessed that tendons were the cause.

I hadn't even thought about the diameter of the DB vs. Bar. I'll have to check that out. I don't think that there's a significant difference, but can't remember exactly.
If it continues or starts happening with the bar, I'll have it checked out.

Thanks for the advice. I'll try a few things, check a few things out and see how it goes.