Best Way to Warm-Up your Hands before Cubing

[2018AMSB02]

Hi,
I was wondering what the best way to warm-up your hands (and maybe warm-up mentally too) before cubing is because it can be really annoying when I am averaging sub-20, and then I go take my dog for a quick walk, and when I get back I can't get anywhere near that. Just doing solves doesn't usually do it for me. I might post a poll if I get enough responses.
I would really like to hear what you do, but the two that work best for me are using some finger massagers that I found (pictured below), and doing OH solves in particular.

Current Methods:
OH Solving
Finger Massagers
2x2 Solving
Big Cube Solving
Fast Algs
Shake / Stretch Hands
Hand Warmer
Deep Breath
Exercise (eg. Pull Ups)
Uncommon Algs (N perm, Z Perm, ETC)
Rubbing hands (especially veins) under warm water.

 

[The Pocket Cuber]

For me I find that solving 2x2 is a great way to warm up (because of fast TPS). It basically forces you to warm up which is why, I’ve always practised 2x2 at the start of every session. I sometimes drill PLL’s if I just dont feel like doing 2x2 but I always prefer 2x2 for warmup. Hope this helps.

 

[GAN 356 X]

For me, I start with a 4x4 or 5x5 so I can get really in the mode and focus because of the obvious amount of extra steps. when I transition back to 3x3 I normally get a sub-20 solve straight up, compared to my normal sub-22. If it is cold I normally shake my hands a lot or warm them by the fire

 

[PetrusQuber]

I don’t notice a need for this most of the time, but I just rub my hands together, shake them out, and do some H Perms, Z Perms, T Perms and Y Perms. Before a serious solve, I normally take a deep breath, and tell myself I’m going to break a world recor.

 

[Triangles_are_cubers]

Well, technically, hand warmers would work fine

 

[KM the cuber]

for me, I do OH to warm up

 

[PugCuber]

I don’t notice a need for this most of the time, but I just rub my hands together, shake them out, and do some H Perms, Z Perms, T Perms and Y Perms. Before a serious solve, I normally take a deep breath, and tell myself I’m going to break a world recor.

My friend Cameron actually recommended something similar to me a few months back. Instead of doing really common PLL’s to warm up, like U, J, & T Perms, do more uncommon PLL’s like E Perm and the N Perms. This actually works kinda well.

 

[casi]

What about doing pullups or something to get the blood flowing in your hands?

 

[2018AMSB02]

What about doing pullups or something to get the blood flowing in your hands?

I have thought about that too, especially pull-ups, but gripping the bar with that much force usually stiffens up my and I can't turn as well. I think that is because pull ups are mostly strength, and cubing is mostly about being nimble.I like the idea though, and I wonder if something like that could work if it didn't stiffen up your fingers.

 

[cubeshepherd]

I have thought about that too, especially pull-ups, but gripping the bar with that much force usually stiffens up my and I can't turn as well. I think that is because pull ups are mostly strength, and cubing is mostly about being nimble.I like the idea though, and I wonder if something like that could work if it didn't stiffen up your fingers.

What I do since I easily get cold hands and am out side a bit with my dogs, is I turn a water faucet to warm/hot and hold my hands there for 20-30 seconds. And as I do that I focus on rubbing the outside of my hands (since that is where the veins are) and after doing that my hands are ready for solving (after a few warmup solves).

 

[2018AMSB02]

I posted a poll with all of those methods, but I would still love to hear more!

 

[GenTheSnail]

sitting on them/sticking 'em under your armpits
gloves
hand warmers
warm water

That's more for like competition though, kinda.


A megaminx solve, especially if you have nice reachy fingertricks. Not too long (totally depends on your speed, but still, probably less than 2m) and your hands do a good amount of turning.
Also typing--I'm into like fast typing (I'm not bad but definitely not great, right around 80wpm), and a couple minutes of that usually loosens/warms up my hands a bit.

 

[2018AMSB02]

So right now it looks like rubbing hands under warm water and shaking your hands work best, but I would love to hear more suggestions and get more poll responses.

 

[ProStar]

I usually solve a 3x3 a few times before I began timing myself