New joiner

rp1

Hey all, been browsing the forum for a month or so now so thought I'd introduce myself. Been going to the gym for a couple of years but only started seriously a couple of months back, picked up some great advice from here, prticularly on diet (which was a major problem previously), but I'd like to think I'm on the right track now.

Anyway, my main problem is that I'm stilll recovering from an op I had last Aug to excise a pilonidal sinus (google it), which prevents me from doing certain exercises, especially DL's and most forms of cardio. It seems to be healing, but very slowly, I guess the best thing I could do is complete rest but I'm afraid thats out of the question.

Anyways, as soon as I get back to full fitness I'll post up some pics and hopefully have a consistent diet by then which I'll post up also.

crazycal1

hey dude!

yup after googling what i thought was a nasal problem i see what you mean about cardio being a prob!!!
sounds fooking painful that...

have you thought about doing cardio with your arms?
shadow boxing type thang.

einsteins mind was the key to all things...to understand more than to know.

www.extremenutrition.co.uk

rp1

Hey there, yeah I do some work on the bag at the end of a session, just try keep leg movement to a minimum, which is fine but I'd much prefer to be doing a range of exercises. The big one for me though is missing out on the dl's, which is my favourite exercise!

crazycal1

yup i`m no stranger to working around injuries-
you just gotta do what you can.

have you found a way to work legs then-
i`d be thinking about isometric exercises-ie ones with no movement.

einsteins mind was the key to all things...to understand more than to know.

www.extremenutrition.co.uk

rp1

Funnily enough legs is not that much of a problem, I can squat without too much discomfort, calf raises, extensions etc are all fine. It's the bending over on dl's that kills me, and also cardio such as running, x trainer as it aggrevates the area and prolongs the healing! I'm currently pumping myself full of zinc and vit b complex, along with usual vits, as I'm led to believe it will speed up recovery, but haven't noticed any difference as yet. Like I said, total rest with absolute min movement would probs be the quickest way, but as I'm sure you can appreciate, I don't fancy lying on the sofa every night for weeks!

crazycal1

thats lucky for ya then!

you tried tabatas for cardio?

if you dont know what they are i`m sure tall will fill you in.

einsteins mind was the key to all things...to understand more than to know.

www.extremenutrition.co.uk

rp1

I've never heard of tabatas!!! LOL

rp1

Just read up on this method, couple of questions:

The article I read recommended front squats and thrusters as the two best exercises to use with this method, are there any more?

It sounds as though it completely knackers you out, is it something you can usually fit in at the end of a weights session, or is it best to do it completely seperate?

Many thanks

Tall

You can also do it on the rowing machine. In fact on shoulders day theres no way you can do Thrusters...

I do it at the end of each weights session - only take 4mins...

rp1

I'm working shoulders tonight so will give the squat version a try.

Ta very much.