CHALK IT UP!

SEX, DRUGS AND ROCK AND ROLL!... and GYM CHALK?  Yup, ALL good, fun, necessary things- But with a historical propensity to be, ummm ABUSED.  It’s time for an intervention of sorts and unlike the late Amy Winehouse, we ARE going to rehab.

 

Gym chalk at Hc2 is just called “chalk”.  You know, those white blocks and powder in the busted up galvanized buckets which are commonly found tipped over on the gym floor.  Our chalk is actually Magnesium Carbonate, a solid, mineral compound (MgCO3). It is used for drying the hands of sweat and oils while participating in certain activities such as gymnastics, rock climbing and weightlifting.

 

It is a good thing to be able to dry your hands with chalk, you get instant “gription” (that’s grip + friction), especially at Hc2 in the summer when it’s balls hot and 99% humidity! What’s not good is cleaning that shit up, or breathing it deep into the lungs!

 

A little chalk goes a long way and more is DEFINITELY not better. So here are some guidelines for using gym chalk;

 

 

1. Use it when grip is an issue. Deadlifts, cleans, snatches, kettelbells, pull ups etc.
2. DO NOT use  chalk for , pushups, wall balls, jumping rope, or rowing for example.
3. Use JUST ENOUGH to dry only the AREA THAT TOUCHES THE BAR! (This is usually the palm from the calluses to the mid finger)
4. DO NOT coat your entire arm from elbow to finger tip!
5. Keep the chalk in the buckets!
6. DO NOT clap your hands and create a huge dust cloud. Keep your bucket away from dropped barbells!
7. Gym chalk is different than writing chalk… we have BOTH. Please notice the difference.
8. Again, Chalk goes on the HANDS, not to be rubbed into the knurling on barbells. If you clog the knurling with chalk, we have brushes… please brush your chalk out.
9. If  you leave chalky hand prints, spills or otherwise leave excessive chalk behind, please do the right thing.
10.  Last but not least, using a towel to wipe sweaty hands between reps helps… Chalk CANNOT and SHOULD not be used as a towel! THANKS!

 

Comments

[CameronBall]

Just opened a box about a month ago and I'm already seeing this problem. Cleaning up after messy members is NOT what I signed up for. Definitely posting these rules in the gym. FANTASTIC post!!!

[Mark]

Thanks for this-linking it to our website with PLEASE READ! Thanks again!

[Jeff]

If you use gloves you don't need chalk...