Shoulder....Venting

[emily_in_nc]

Hoping I can at least do isometric holds, this uses no weight at all but can be highly effective. Good old Jack LeLane (however his last name is spelled) really focused on this method back in the day. Not much is heard of it these days as it requires NO gym equipment at all, hard to make money from it.

I remember that! Jack LaLane was in amazing shape. Can you do planks at all? I am guessing no, with your shoulders. But not sure what other isometric hold you are referring to. Enlighten me?

[Catrin]

I remember that! Jack LaLane was in amazing shape. Can you do planks at all? I am guessing no, with your shoulders. But not sure what other isometric hold you are referring to. Enlighten me?

Isometric exercises are those exercises that contracts the muscle without changing either angle of the joint or the length of the muscle. There are different approaches to isometric exercises for strength, and at least for my upper body, there is really only one approach that seems safe.

It's simply this. Intentionally contract the muscle and hold it without moving it once it's contracted. Sounds very simple, but I know of someone who lost no muscle tone after enduring a lengthy period in a body cast. All he was capable of doing were these isometric holds (as my trainer calls them)- for his entire body - and focused on that as often as he could. Now I'm not in HIS situation, and I'm weight bearing in other ways fortunately. Other good examples are things like squats, lunges, and push-ups. I can do the first two as much as my knees allow, I won't attempt push-ups (pain) - planks are actually better (no pain) and I think that's because there is no movement.I THINK I can also do this against a wall if I can find the right angle - basically a plank against the wall. That might actually be kinder than doing it on the floor as my entire bodyweight wouldn't be involved.

Good link to a broader discussion of isometric exercise in general. You will note a reference to certain activities that by their nature are isometric - including mountain biking, climbing, and skiing You will also note a discussion on a wider range of isometric exercises than what I mention above, but I'm focusing on options that might at least help me slow down the loss of upper body strength without hurting myself further.

Frankly, if my left shoulder weren't so *&*%^$@% arthritic, I think I would be more likely to allow them to fix the shoulder with the torn tendons. As that isn't the case, I will wait until/unless I lose more function in the torn shoulder because it's STILL more functional than the arthritic one - and I live alone.

[emily_in_nc]

Good information, Catrin, thanks. I knew that planks were isometric but couldn't think of too many other examples. It's definitely easier to do them on an angle against a wall. On the floor is hard as it uses a lot of core strength; it's certainly not just an upper body exercise. A side plank uses a lot of upper body but would probably be too tough on your shoulders.

[Catrin]

Good information, Catrin, thanks. I knew that planks were isometric but couldn't think of too many other examples. It's definitely easier to do them on an angle against a wall. On the floor is hard as it uses a lot of core strength; it's certainly not just an upper body exercise. A side plank uses a lot of upper body but would probably be too tough on your shoulders.

Yes, no way I can do a side plank. There are many other ways as well - holding a weight in a static position without moving for a period of time, hard to explain but I think you understand. The important thing is the joint doesn't move and the muscle doesn't lengthen - and while some do use weights - body weight is usually enough. I've got to be more careful than many but I won't give up!

[Pax]

Stinks about the shoulders, mine are not as bad but still screwed up enough that I couldn't do a kettle bell thing if my life depended on it.

We have a new Planet Fitness less than a mile form the apt. so we joined. Turns out an elliptical works well on my bum leg, so I do that and lift a lot of weights. Their philosophy is bizarre, but I'm not there when they do their silliness, so I go in and work out and leave, I rarely even go into the locker room... so overall it's handy enough for me that I actually go.

[Catrin]

Stinks about the shoulders, mine are not as bad but still screwed up enough that I couldn't do a kettle bell thing if my life depended on it.

We have a new Planet Fitness less than a mile form the apt. so we joined. Turns out an elliptical works well on my bum leg, so I do that and lift a lot of weights. Their philosophy is bizarre, but I'm not there when they do their silliness, so I go in and work out and leave, I rarely even go into the locker room... so overall it's handy enough for me that I actually go.

Sounds great Pax! I wish that I could do weights of some kind...but such is life. Enjoy!

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[Crankin]

Pax, what is the silliness? I see their dumb ads, but I've never known anyone who went there (don't seem to be a lot around here), except some of my clients in my first internship.