Tuf or Buff: How Spray Rosin Might Sabotage Your Training

I have such a love/hate relationship with spray rosin (aka Tuf Skin or Firm Grip). On the one hand, I love the awesome flypaper effect it creates when I’m performing doubles and my partner is being so inconsiderate as to actually sweat. On the other hand, I hate watching my students douse themselves in it in hopes of Velcro-ing their hands to the fabric. So, when is spray rosin a blessing, and when is it like the friend who brings over a pie when you’ve sworn off sugar? Let’s discuss.

Spray rosin, mostly powdered rosin (pine tree sap) and alcohol, can be a God-send when:

• You’re working with a partner and need a little extra grippy oomph
• Smoke, fog, or haze will be used during your performance (this can sometimes leave a slick coating on your apparatus)
• You’re pushing your limits of endurance in your piece, are working at altitude, or are performing multiple acts in a show and want to be conservative with your grip strength
• You have a grip/hand difference or injury that prevents you from firmly gripping the fabric and you need boosties 
• It’s seriously hot or humid and you’re sweatin’ like the dickens, causing you to slip and slide in alarming ways
• You’re recovering from an injury or a break and you need a little grip amplification so you can focus on working safely
• You’re in a really cold, dry climate and the silks feel slick as glass. Try moistening your hands before you apply powder rosin! No luck? Give a little spray!

When is it not a good bet? During your daily or weekly training if one of the issues above aren’t present. Friend, training your grip is as important as training your shoulders, your core, your pull-ups, etc – if you coat your hands in aerial super glue every single time you touch a fabric, don’t be surprised when your grip is noodle-y and you can’t work without it. It’s like using antibiotics right away for a sniffle – you’re not even sure if you need it yet!

TRY THIS: Each class, try your first climb with no sticky stuff. Feel ok? Carry on! Feels like glass? Rosin up. You’ll notice that some days will feel better than others thanks to the weather, how you’re feeling, how filthy those silks are, etc.

My philosophy is this: use as little Sticky Awesomeness as you’re comfortable with during your training. Use what you need to be safe, but also actively train those fingers to hold tight. You are free to have a differing philosophy, but this is what has consistently worked for my students for over twenty years. I’m not at all anti-rosin – it’s about finding that balance between nothing at all and permanently adhering yourself to a silk. You’ll thank me one day when you can hang on to a trapeze with one finger. While sneezing uncontrollably. Over a shark tank. Love and pull-ups, Laura

As always, if you like this post, share it on your blog, the F-books, Twitter, and wherever else you crazy kids are sharing things these days.