Remember the night a few years ago when Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon showed up with a cast on his ring finger? Turns out, the comedian committed a major blunder that ended with a less-than-funny ending: When he tripped and fell at home, the ring got caught on a piece of furniture, nearly ripping off his finger.
Accidents like Fallon’s, known as ring avulsions, are rare, but when they do occur, they tend to happen during physical activities such as: ExerciseThey are suitable for people who work in a variety of jobs, including yard work, construction work, operating machinery with moving parts, etc. To avoid the risk, experts recommend first removing all jewelry or replacing traditional metal rings with silicone rings.
“I’ve seen people lose function from injuries caused by metal rings, including nerve damage, soft tissue damage, and fractures that require surgery,” says Nick Maroldi, a board-certified hand therapist at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City. “In some cases, people lose entire fingers.”
That’s why Maroldi chose silicone when he got married six years ago: “I was a rock climber and skydiver, and having metal on my fingers during those activities is dangerous. And when I lift weights, metal on metal is uncomfortable.”
Lightweight, flexible, and inexpensive, silicone rings offer a way to keep your vows without risking injury, and in most cases, they break off before they can do any serious damage. “As your body temperature rises, your hands, feet, and fingers swell,” says Marissa Miller, a certified personal trainer and CNN contributing editor. “A gold wedding band might not fit well on a swollen finger, might be difficult to remove, and might reduce circulation, but a silicone ring offers some flexibility.”
Miller adds that rings “put a strain on your grip strength, increasing your risk of developing calluses, whether you’re holding a barbell or a shovel,” and that “another benefit of wearing a silicone ring while working out or doing stressful tasks like yard work is that it won’t scratch a ‘real’ ring made from precious metals or gemstones.” She says that while she doesn’t typically wear her wedding ring while working out, she has “noticed it getting a little scratchy” when she does.
Rings come in a variety of colors and styles, but if you’re buying one for the gym, look for a few specific features. First, look for ones with internal grooves, which allow sweat to escape and air to come in. Get the size right; you can’t have one that’s too tight or too loose. Finally, keep it simple: “Choose something that’s as discreet as possible and sits close to your skin,” says Miller. “Avoid very thick bands with extra ridges or material that stretches down the length of your finger.”
Simple and low-profile, with channels at the bottom to allow air and sweat to circulate, the ThunderFit Ring matches the contours of silicone rings made for the gym. It looks great in a solid color, but more colorful options are available.
Knot Theory is stylish Engraved Ringfeaturing everything from mountain silhouettes to lacy queens to Celtic sailor knots. The rings are breathable and durable thanks to their curved inner rim, with a reported breaking limit of approximately 100 foot-pounds of force.
Speaking of colorful options, Thuderfit’s print collection ranges from designs inspired by Van Gogh’s “Starry Night” to classic tie-dye patterns of the American flag. The bright colors and bold graphics will help you show off your personality while staying safe.
Like all Groove Life rings, the Aspire collection comes with a 94-year warranty and features a grooved interior for better ventilation. It also comes in vibrant floral and colorful designs, including a collaboration with designer Katie Van Slyke. Other collaborations include artist Guy Harvey, Mossy Oak, and the NFL, offering options for those looking to wear their passion on their fingers.
Qalo Stackables come in a variety of shades and shapes, and you can buy color-matched packs of three or mix and match to suit your taste. You can also wear all three at once or pare back to just one for serious work. They’re not channeled, but they’re thin enough that you don’t need to channel them.
This 4-pack comes in 12 different color combinations and is low-profile enough to wear all four at once, or just one of them. The braided exterior design adds a touch of glamour while maintaining an understated look, while the etched interior allows airflow underneath.
This clever design combines a beautiful brushed titanium metal ring with a silicone inner liner. When you go to work, just slide the metal ring off and leave the silicone in place. The metal band is comfortable to wear because it has ventilation grooves, and can also be personalized with engraving.
The pack includes three silicone rings in a variety of colors that can be stacked or worn alone, as well as a rose gold tungsten carbide ring for a more subtle look on more formal occasions. While silicone isn’t as safe as tungsten, the company says that under strong pressure, tungsten will shatter into multiple pieces before it can cause any serious damage. It’s also scratch-resistant.
