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ClimbSkin By Friction Labs Review Their Labeling is Stupid

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ClimbSkin By Frictions Labs Review*** UPDATE 4-12-16  …and just like that, Friction Labs have the information on their website updated so that the ingredients listed online match the ingredients listed on the container.

I think I’ll turn this article into a “How Excellent Companies Respond To Criticism” or something like that…

ClimbSkin By Friction Labs Review – Their Labeling is Stupid

I received a container of ClimbSkin from Friction Labs at no cost to me.  There was no request from them for me to review it.  I don’t owe them anything; but part of what I do here at HCRBeta is support entrepreneurs and small businesses.

When I wrote about Friction Labs chalk, I gushed.  It is excellent chalk.  It is a little pricey, too.  However, one principle that I have learned is that the best customers are the ones who recognize the value of expertise.  You don’t have to market to people who consider cheapness a desirable quality.

I’ve got 2 things to say about ClimbSkin:

  1. ClimbSkin is Awesome.  It Works Like a Magic Glove That Gives You +10 Protection For Your Skin
  2. ClimbSkin’s Labeling is Stupid.  It Will Make Many Consumers Angry (Maybe F.L. didn’t realize there is a big difference in their web language and the actual label.)

Let me get the critical out of the way.  Once they fix their labeling, this article goes away.  So the “ClimbSkin is Awesome” portion of this review is going to be here: (_____).

ClimbSkin Ingredients Labeling

I deserve, as do all consumers, to know what the ingredients are in a product; especially a product that is going to be absorbed into my skin and into my body.

Using the phrase “…just natural ingredients…” is a stupid mistake by ClimbSkin’s marketing team.  Every smart consumer knows that “natural” means nothing.
[You can do your own google research:  “What does natural mean in cosmetics”] [Read more…] about ClimbSkin By Friction Labs Review Their Labeling is Stupid

Are WOD FITTERS the Best Voodoo Floss Bands for Rock Climbers?

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 Are WOD Fitters the best voodoo floss bands for rock climbers?

I have been experimenting with Voodoo Floss for over a year.  I feel very lucky that I have experienced some very positive results from Voodoo Flossing for both *climbing and non-climbing related applications.

Are WOD Fitters the Best Voodoo Floss Bands for Rock Climbers ComparisonWOD Fitters Voodoo Floss Band works best for me

Of all three types of Voodoo Floss bands that I have used, the WOD fitters is the best band that gives the best results (for all body parts except the fingers).  You might have a different experience; and if you do, please share in the comments.

Reasons why the WOD Fitters Voodoo Floss Bands work best for me

  • It is big enough to wrap entire arm, hamstrings, waist – it is big
  • I can get that Super Compression that I want
  • It is easy to handle – I can wrap all of me without assistance
  • Affordable

Experimenting with Voodoo Floss to know which type of band works best for you.Are WOD Fitters The Best Voodoo Floss Bands for Rock Climbers Yellow Rubber Band

If you are like most climbers, you might want to begin your experimentation with little to no costs.  I was lucky that I had that old rubber raincoat belt.  You might have access to one if you have kids or nieces or nephews.  But what if you don’t have an old raincoat around?  You can always try the Goodwill.  I have no idea if that is a popular item at the Goodwill. [Read more…] about Are WOD FITTERS the Best Voodoo Floss Bands for Rock Climbers?

Dr. Lisa Erikson’s Notes On Voodoo Flossing For Rock Climbers

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Dr. Lisa Erikson's Notes On Voodoo Flossing For Rock ClimbersDr. Lisa Erikson’s Notes On Voodoo Flossing For Rock Climbers.

***Please Note:  I am Jason Clements and I am not a doctor nor a physical therapist.  I write about my outdoor experiences.  I believe in self-care, self-experimentation, and problem solving.  IF YOU ARE INJURED, go see your doctor.  Don’t be an idiot — a phrase that Dr. Lisa and I both agree upon.

I am going to make a gigantic claim about Voodoo Flossing at the end of this article…

But First, What Does The Doctor Say?  Enter Dr. Lisa Erikson

An avid mulitsport athlete, Dr. Lisa competed in collegiate running, cycling, and nordic skiing. A trail runner, ultrarunner, climber, and nordic skier, Dr. Lisa is a Palmer-West College of Chiropractic Alumni with a specialization in Sports Chiropractic and Chiropractic Biomechanics of Posture. She also has a BS in Cellular Biology and Neuroscience from MSU-Bozeman and additional X-ray Diagnostic training. The medical provider for USAClimbing from 2009 to present, she has written a book on climbing injuries and devoted herself to the elimination of injuries compiled by missing self-care and abnormal loading patterns.

Dr. Lisa Erikson is the author of Climbing Injuries Solved.  She is the doctor who has treated some of the top climbers in the world:  Dave Graham, Daniel Woods, Angie Payne.

Dr. Lisa commented on my Video titled “Why Every Climber Should Experiment With Voodoo Flossing.”

Great video Jason. I have gotten a bunch of questions about your video in office so I thought I’d clarify ONE thing-

Readers- Just as a heads up (because I get TONS of this question in office), Voodoo flossing is for adhesions between the skin, muscle, tendons and connective tissue.

Think of a popcorn ball of scar tissue or a piece of bubble gum between the different tissues that binds them abnormally together. This is what Voodoo flossing rips up!

These adhesions limit the amount of motion that occurs under the skin because everything is stuck together, especially after long term swelling or inflammation as we see in our favorite sport.

Great video and fabulous for this region…

     1. Voodoo flossing does NOT decrease muscle tone (or hasn’t been shown to yet) and is NOT for tendonitis of the forearm or finger…

     2. Voodoo flossing IS for lost range of motion or for treatment of reduction of these ranges of motion.

     3. A few treatments should do it, this doesn’t need to be a weekly treatment as once these adhesions are ripped up, you have to earn them back.

Thanks for putting this out there Jason, knowledge is power! -Dr. Lisa

Jason’s Gigantic Claim About Voodoo Flossing: [Read more…] about Dr. Lisa Erikson’s Notes On Voodoo Flossing For Rock Climbers

Everything You Wanted To Know About ClimbOn: Meet Will Reynolds Young

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Everything You Wanted To Know About ClimbOn Skin CareThis interview with Will Reynolds Young will answer everything you wanted to know about climbOn.  If you are a rock climber, you have probably already used climbOn.  Did you know that there are a host of other skin care products that climbOn (and SKINourisment) carries?

Please meet Will Reynolds Young.  Meet Will Reynolds YoungHe is the Chief Digital Officer for climbOn and the parent company, SKINourishment, Inc.  Their brands include climbOn, crossFIXE, SKINourishment SPA, and RIDICULOUS!

Ladies and Gentlemen, Will Reynolds Young:

HCRB:  What is the last good book you read?

Will Reynolds Young:  The Body in Pain by Elaine Scarry

HCRB:  What was your favorite breakfast cereal when you were a kid?

Will Reynolds Young:  Cinnamon Toast Crunch – I’m a sucker for sugar.

HCRB:  Last place you were when you said, “WOW, that is a beautiful sunset!”

Will Reynolds Young SunsetWill Reynolds Young:  Anyone who’s spent a day with me knows I am a sucker for sunsets. It amazes me that no two sunsets are the same. Recently, a time comes to mind where I was driving to downtown Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh is unique because it has the Fort Pitt Tunnels as sort of an entrance to the city. You drive through the tunnels and all of a sudden there’s the city. I happen to be doing this at the perfect time.

HCRB:  What was the last thing you googled?

Will Reynolds Young:  Blue Mountain Ski Resort.

HCRB:  What is something that you are an expert at, that few people know?

Will Reynolds Young:  Public Speaking. Don’t get me wrong, I get nervous, but somehow I just have a tendency to rock it. Here’s a session I did at Podcamp Pittsburgh in 2013 entitled Small Business Social Media Toolkit.

HCRB:  You an Apple or Android guy? Why?

Will Reynolds Young:  Apple. I have an iPhone, Apple TV, and a Macbook. I bleed Apple. I love the beauty of the devices and how well they are built, not to mention the OS is just fantastic. That being said, I love technology. In the last year, I’ve had a Nexus 5X and a Samsung Galaxy S6.

HCRB:  Would you rather climb Everest or submarine the Marianas Trench?

Will Reynolds Young:  Climb Everest, no question.

Quick climbOn FactsTommy Caldwell Used ClimbOn Dawn Wall Ascent

Since 1996, Polly has created food grade skin care products before organic and all natural was the cool thing to do. Often times we hear about natural products that really aren’t natural at all. Propylene glycol is considered a natural ingredient.

We take natural to a whole new level with food grade, pure products. This means no fillers, parabens, perfumes. We have been really lucky and honored to grow by word of mouth. We have no sales team and I am the only one who does marketing on a regular basis.

To this day we still hand pour all of our products in our own Wimberley, Texas warehouse, production, and offices. Here’s some highlights about our company with some links to educational blog posts on the topic.

HCRB:  How did you get involved with SKINourishment? [Read more…] about Everything You Wanted To Know About ClimbOn: Meet Will Reynolds Young

8 Skin Care Tips For Rock Climbers And Boulderers

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8 Skin Care Tips for Rock Climbers and BoulderersDo you love feeling on the tips of your fingers after a weekend of climbing.  Do you love feeling your callouses thickening up?  Have you thought about what is the best skin care for rock climbers and boulderers?  Many climbers know by now that the best skin care comes from your diet, a solid salve, and good self-care practices.

Here are 8 skin care tips for rock climbers and boulderers.

  1. Never Pull A Flapper or a Hangnail
  2. Never Wash Dishes or Soak in Epsom Salt Before You Climb
  3. Consider Increasing Your Consumption of Omega-3 Foods
  4. Consider Increasing Your Consumption of Coconut Oil
  5. Have A Brick, Cinder Block, Or Chunk of Rock as Part of Your Workout Gear
  6. Use an Emory Board or Sheet of Sandpaper to Keep Your Callouses Healthy
  7. Use Salve Specifically Created for Rock Climbers
  8. Stop Doing Dynos and Try That Move Statically

Never Pull A Flapper or a HangnailRock Climber Tools for Skin Care

Whether those were pieces of flappers or hangnails, the worst thing you can do is pull (or chew – blech!  Disgusting!) at those bits of flesh on your hands and fingers.

The best thing you can do for your small injuries – like flappers and hangnails – is to always carry a nail clipper or tiny scissors in your climbing pack.  Take a moment to carefully trim the dead or torn flesh away.  If you are done climbing for the day, care for your injuries as you normally would (wash, healing salve, bandage).  Or, just tape it up and keep climbing!

How many times have you pulled a bit of your flesh only to have it pull right further into undamaged tissue.  Oh, that sting!  And the first thing you think is, “I SHOULD NOT HAVE DONE THAT!” [Read more…] about 8 Skin Care Tips For Rock Climbers And Boulderers

Meet Louis McConnell Creator Of American Oak Hand Salve

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Meet Louis McConnell Creator Of American Oak Hand Salve

Meet Louis McConnell Creator Of American Oak Hand Salve

Many of us know Louis from the Kansas City Climbing Community.  He may have even helped you gear up when he worked at Moosejaw on the Plaza.  Well, did you know that Louis is a rock climber AND a body builder AND Crossfitter!  He is also a brand new entrepreneur. Louis is the owner of the American Oak Hand Salve Company.

Please show your support (*suggestions at the end of the interview).

And now, get to know Louis McConnell in 15 seconds:

The exercise I hate the most is Jerks because I have terrible overhead strength.

You will hear me scream like a Howler Monkey when (google that, it is hilarious), anyway,
what would make you howl like that? When a new vegan restaurant is opening in Kansas City.

The last good book I read was: The Man Who Quit Money.

The last show I binge watched was: Dexter and Breaking Bad at the same time.

On my days off from my diet, I splurge on:  Pizza and dark beer, but that’s every day right?

American Oak Hand Salve and Pipe
HCRB:  Alright, Louis, what is American Oak Hand Salve?

Louis McConnell Rock ClimbingLouis:  AO (American Oak) is something I created when I was climbing. My fingertips were always extremely raw and it hurt like hell to climb–as much as I was climbing. Not to mention, having my hands covered in chalk drys them out a ton.

All the commercial lotions are designed to “soften” hands.  That was never appealing to me because I wanted hard tough skin when I was slapping a tiny crimp.

I researched oils, butters, and herbs and used the best of each of those items to create AO. Fast forward a few years, my hands were taking the same abuse now from Olympic style weightlifting, instead of climbing. I revamped the recipe and saw some interest in the community and launched! [Read more…] about Meet Louis McConnell Creator Of American Oak Hand Salve