How to Prevent Blisters While Spinning

Spinning is an indoor cycling activity, usually performed in hour-long classes, taught by a certified Spinning instructor. Blisters put a serious damper on any activity and spinning is no exception. If you already have blisters, it's best to rest for a few days to give them a chance to heal. You can then take these actions to prevent blisters on your hands and feet while spinning.

Things You'll Need

• Cycle shoes
• Cycle socks
• Cycle gloves
• Vaseline
• Moleskin

Instructions

1. Invest in a good pair of cycle shoes. You'll get more power out of your pedal stroke, making for a more efficient ride, and you'll also feel much more comfortable while spinning. Go to a local cycle store and ask for help finding the right shoe. Poorly fitting shoes can lead to blisters so make sure your shoes fit correctly.

2. Wear cycle socks when you spin. Cycle socks are very thin, contain few seams and wick moisture away from your skin. These all help in preventing blisters on your feet.

3. Put moleskin over any areas that are prone to blisters. You can purchase strips of moleskin which you can then cut to the appropriate size for the area. Moleskin helps to reduce friction on the area.

4. Apply Vaseline or body lubricants to the areas of your feet that tend to blister. These products help prevent friction that leads to blisters.

5. Try applying anti-perspirant or deodorant to your feet. It sounds odd but studies have shown that regular application helps to prevent blister formation. You can purchase spray deodorant for easy application.

6. Sprinkle foot powder onto your feet before you put on socks. Foot powders help to absorb sweat, thus reducing moisture which leads to blisters.

7. Wear cycle gloves during spinning class. Cycle gloves feature padding throughout the palms, where cyclists commonly get blisters and callouses. You can find fingerless cycle gloves that still allow you manual control while protecting your hands from blisters.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have popped a blister, keep the area very clean and cover it with a bandage. Apply antibiotic ointment to prevent infection.

• Avoid cotton socks. Moisture leads to blisters and cotton keeps sweat next to your skin. Choose socks that offer moisture-wicking features.