Review: Climb On! Intensive Skin Repair

This week, we take a moment to review Climb On! Intensive Skin Repair.

Item: Climb On! Intensive Skin Repair
Price: $10.25 USD
Manufacturer: Climb On!
Purchase: ClimbOn

I’m a self confessed CrossFit addict (just thought I would get that out of the way up front)! So imagine my confusion when I was told about a healing product traditionally used by rock climbers would be beneficial for me. Now I can’t quite remember who, when or how the product was introduced to me but I can tell you I’m glad it was! It has now found a permanent home in my gym bag and I’m forever pulling it out to doctor my wounds. So what is it and why is it good for CrossFitters?

Well the answer relates primarily to that familiar question CrossFitters often ask themselves when facing a pull-up intensive WOD, “To tape or not to tape?” You can almost hear yourself say, “I don’t need to tape, I don’t tear,” then you do. Badly.

I found myself in that exact position just last week. I had just finished the WOD and looked down at my hands to what I already knew was there or not there shall I say. Yes I had a couple of nice tears right in the middle of my palm along with a calloused little finger, courtesy of some chest-to-bar pull-ups of course.

Then just when I thought I’d seen the worst of the damages, two days later, I managed to blister my hands again and rip the skin off three fingers while performing several power snatches and farmer walks. Now I’ll admit during the power snatches I felt the skin start to pull away but my  love for the workout took over and erased any thought of stopping to attend to my wounds. After all who’s going to stop mid-workout and tape in a 20-minute AMRAP, not me!

So once the clocked ticked down, my name and time went up on whiteboard, I hit the showers. Suddenly, my hands felt like I was holding a couple of lit cigarettes in them… the wrong way! It was then it dawned on me that these abrasions were worse than I expected. So I did what I have come accustomed to and reached for my can of “Climb On!”

The manufacture describes “Climb On!” in the following way:

“This one product can soothe burns, cuts, scrapes, rashes, cracked cuticles and heels, tissue nose, road rash, diaper rash, abrasions, poison ivy…any skin issue that needs deep moisturizing and nourishing. Climb On! Bar was originally formulated for rock climbers. It has crossed all barriers since it works on any skin type and any skin issue. The beeswax is the emulsifier which holds the ingredients together. It acts as a humectant, which draws moisture to the skin. It acts as a natural water resistant barrier to help skin stay protected. Anyone from babies to rock stars use this product. The essential oils of neroli and lavender work their therapeutic properties to help the body bring the skin back into balance. Our body sees Climb On! recipe as a friend not a foe! Climb On! is for EVERYONE!”

Translation: it’s a little block of wax that gives the skin relief and successfully repairs the tears! I think it has amazing healing power and it truly soothes busted blisters. I’ve been using it for quite some time now and had some amazing results. So much so I felt I had to write a review on it.

The Good

Easy to apply: After the WOD I applied it liberally once every few of hours and the silky finish provided such relief. With each rub it felt as though a second skin was being applied.

Fast acting: The morning after applying I’m always amazed to find that a nice layer of skin has formed. Wow after using this product I can honestly say recover can happen overnight! Within two days of this recent tear I was already seeing much improvement and was able get back in the box and not miss my Monday session. Truthfully my hands were still a little tender and I was glad to see CF Total, not Fran up on the whiteboard. Using “Climb on!” helped and meant that I wasn’t too restricted when completing the deadlift or shoulder press.

All natural Ingredients: This stuff is apparently made from “all natural ingredients” with the core ingredient being beeswax. So if you are an organic centric person this is the product for you. I have to say that my hands felt nourished after application. As the manufacture states it is “100% pure (chemical free), food grade, skin nourishing product.  We say “If you can’t eat it, don’t put it on your skin.”

Great Value: A large jar is 28g and usually retails for a mere $15 AUD (you can find it online for $10.25 plus shipping and handling). You may think that’s tiny but let me tell you I use it regularly and it lasts.

The Bad

Hard to find: it’s a Mountain climber’s product, so you won’t find it in your everyday sports store. It is available from selected rock climbing stores but it took some research before I stumbled upon it. Since writing I did find it sold online so that should make it a little easier (we provided the link below).

It’s messy: It’s just a block of wax in a tin, so despite the fact it goes on easy  it ends up all over your fingers. My advice is don’t try and use the iPhone straight after application, unless you want it smudged all over that beautiful glass.

Conclusion

In short: this stuff rocks!

As you can see from the pictures my hands have had a dramatic improvement in just 48-hours. Sure some care is still required so I can keep cranking away through whatever the coach throws up on the whiteboard but overall its a great little product and one that should find a nice home in any CrossFitters gym bag.

Rating

9/10

This product was purchased at our own expense. But if you would like to win a free jar of Climb On! Hand wax, The Rx Review are giving away 10 for FREE. To find out how to win, click here.