Exercise and Strong Skin: Are Calluses a Problem or Essential for Strength?

Move Your DNA with Katy Bowman

Dynamic Aging Retreat Oct 3-5 2025

This Episode's Show Notes
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Katy Bowman and Jeannette Loram explore skin strength, focusing on what a callus is, how calluses form on the hands and feet, and how it affects circulation. They also discuss the pros and cons of calluses, comparing them to a weight belt for your skin—reinforcing, protecting, and ultimately enabling your body to do more.

They share personal stories—from rowing and kayaking to gardening—highlighting how it's often skin, not muscles, that limits activity. Katy also chats with Karri Bowen-Poole, founder of Smart Playrooms, about designing home spaces that promote hanging, build skin strength, and support kids’ physical and cognitive development. They cover equipment ideas, dynamic home design tips, and draw inspiration from Ninja Warrior athletes.

CHAPTERS

00:04:30 - The Dynamic Collective

00:08:20 - What is a Callus? And the Listener Question on calluses & circulation brought to you by Sweet Skins

00:22:30 - Updated insights about the Callus, skin strength and its relationship to whole-body movement

00:35:25 - Skin Tissue and Thoughtful Progression

00:42:00 - Interview with Karri Bowen-Poole, founder of Smart Playrooms

BOOKS & RESEARCH PAPERS

Move Your DNA by Katy Bowman
Simple Steps to Foot Pain Relief by Katy Bowman
Callus Formation by Kim et al (2010)
Blood Flow In The Skin in relation to temperature and pressure by J Petrofsky (2012)
Foot Callus and Tactile Sensitivity by Holowka et al (2019) - Daniel Lieberman group

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