Perhaps you remember the night a few years back when “Tonight Show” host Jimmy Fallon showed up with a cast around his ring finger? As it turns out, the comedian had taken a pratfall with a not so funny ending: He tripped at home, and as he fell, his ring caught on a piece of furniture and nearly tore his finger off.
Accidents like Fallon’s, known as a ring avulsion, are rare, but when they do happen, they tend to occur during physical activity such as exercising, doing yard or construction work or operating machinery with moving parts. To avoid the risk, experts suggest removing all jewelry first or switching out the traditional metal for a silicone ring.
“I’ve seen injuries from metal rings that have caused people to lose function from nerve damage, soft tissue injuries and fractures that require surgery,” says Nick Maroldi, a certified hand therapist at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. “You can lose your whole finger.”
That’s why Maroldi went with silicone when he got married six years ago. “I was a rock climber and skydiver and having metal on your finger during those activities is dangerous. Even lifting weights, that metal on metal can be uncomfortable.”
What are silicone rings?
Lightweight, pliant and inexpensive, silicone rings offer a way to be true to your vows without risking injury. Most often, they will snap before doing serious damage. “If you’re increasing your body temperature, your extremities and fingers are going to swell,” says Marissa Miller, a certified personal trainer and CNN contributing editor. “Whereas a gold wedding band won’t accommodate a swollen finger and might then be difficult to remove, which can compromise circulation, a silicone ring allows for some flexibility.”
Miller adds that rings “challenge your grip and increase your risk of developing calluses, whether you’re holding a barbell or shovel,” and adds that “another advantage to wearing a silicone ring while exercising or performing demanding tasks like yard work might be that you won’t damage your ‘real’ ring made of precious metals or gemstones.” She says she does not typically wear her wedding ring to work out, although on occasion she has “noticed slight scuffing” when she did.
The rings come in a wide variety of colors and styles, though anyone looking to get one for the gym should look for a few specific characteristics. First, pick one that has channels cut into the inside, because they allow sweat to escape and air to get in. Get the right size — both too tight and too loose can be problematic. And last, keep it simple. “Go for as low-profile and close to the skin as possible,” Miller says. “Skip the really thick bands that have excess protruding material as well as material that goes up the length of your finger.”
Best basic silicone ring
Straightforward, low-profile and cut through on the bottom with channels that circulate air and sweat, the Thunderfit rings match the profile of a silicone ring made for the gym. They look good in single tones, although there are more colorful options.
Knot Theory has a wide range of stylishly engraved rings, featuring everything from a mountain range silhouette to queen of lace patterns to a Celtic sailor’s knot. The rings are breathable thanks to a curved inner rim and they're durable, with a reported breaking limit of around 100 foot-pounds of force.
Best fun design
Speaking of colorful options, Thuderfit’s printed collection ranges from a take on Van Gogh’s Starry Night to a classic tie-dye look to the stars and stripes. With the bright colors and flashy graphics, you can stay safe and make a statement.
Like all Groove Life rings, the Aspire collection includes a 94-year warrantee and a channeled interior for good breathability. It also offers a range of colorful floral patterns and colorful designs, including some from a collaboration with designer Katie Van Slyke. Other collaborators include artist Guy Harvey, Mossy Oak and the NFL, providing options for those who want to wear their passions on their fingers.
Best stackable
?The Qalo stackables come in a range of hues and shapes that allow you to buy a color-coordinated three-pack or mix and match to your own liking. They also give you the option to wear all three at once or cut down to a single for serious work. They’re not channeled, but they’re thin enough that they don’t need to be.
These four-packs come in 12 different color combinations, and they’re skinny enough that you can wear all four at once, although any single one works on its own. A braided exterior design gives them a touch of flair while maintaining a low profile, and an etched interior allows for air flow underneath.
Best dual-purpose
This clever design combines a handsome brushed metal titanium ring with a silicone inner liner. When it’s time to get to work, just slide the metal ring off and leave the silicone behind. It has channels for breathability — which makes wearing the metal band more comfortable too — and can be personalized with an engraving.
This pack offers three silicone rings in a range of colors that can be stacked or worn alone and a rose gold tungsten carbide ring to slip on for dressier occasions. Nothing is as safe as silicone, but the company says that under high duress, the tungsten will shatter into multiple pieces before doing serious damage. It’s also scratch-resistant.
