All gymgoers know: whether you’re a committed weightlifter or a CrossFit enthusiast, your hands and wrists take on a heavy load during training. From gripping barbells to supporting your body weight during high-impact movements, the upper extremities are frequently placed under intense pressure. Without the right technique and care, this can lead to a range of hand and wrist injuries—many of which are preventable.
Common Hand Injuries Among Fitness Enthusiasts
Athletes and active individuals are prone to a variety of hand and wrist conditions, including:
- Tendonitis and overuse injuries: Often caused by repeated pulling, pushing, or gripping motions—especially when performed with improper technique or without adequate rest.
- Thumb sprains: Typically the result of hyperextension during Olympic lifts, kettlebell swings, or improper bar grip.
- Wrist sprains and fractures: Can occur due to falls during box jumps or failed lifts, or from placing too much stress on the wrist during load-bearing movements like front squats or handstands.
- Trigger finger: Develops from prolonged or forceful gripping of ropes, pull-up bars, dumbbells, or similar equipment, which irritates the flexor tendons and leads to stiffness or locking of the finger.
If you’ve experienced any of these conditions yourself, Dr. Fort can help. His goal is always to restore function and get patients back to the activities they love—safely, effectively, and without lingering limitations.
Injury Prevention Tips
To help reduce the risk of injury during workouts, consider the following strategies:
- Warm up thoroughly: In addition to warming up your legs, arms, and lungs, give special attention to wrist mobility and grip activation before you begin lifting heavy weights.
- Maintain proper technique: Use correct hand and wrist alignment, and avoid over-gripping equipment.
- Scale movements when needed: It can be tempting to push through a workout, but modifying volume or intensity when necessary can prevent overuse injuries—especially during high-rep sessions.
- Rest and recover: Schedule rest days to give your tendons and joints the time they need to recover fully before your next workout.
- Pay attention to warning signs: Tingling, numbness, weakness, or persistent pain are signs that something isn’t right. Don’t delay getting evaluated.
When to Seek Treatment
Fort Orthopedic Hand Center specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of sports-related hand and wrist injuries. Dr. Gabriel Fort provides both non-surgical and surgical care, including fracture management, tendon and ligament repair, bracing, and rehabilitation support. Early treatment makes it possible to recover from most gym-related injuries and return to training with full strength and confidence.
If hand or wrist pain is affecting your performance at the gym, it may be time to consult a specialist. Dr. Fort provides expert treatment to help you heal properly and get back to your training without setbacks.
For more information or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Fort, call (305) 209-5522 or contact us online today.