Diary of a Small Planet II: The Omen

[bigDman]

hope the back feels better

[gregl515]

Thanks! It was still painfully tight when I woke up this morning. I have been using heat on it and some walking on the treadmill to loosen it. It's good now but I'll wait until another night's sleep to see if it's gone.

[RacerBill]

That sucks. Hope your back is better soon.

[Mahler]

Originally Posted by gregl515

Thanks! It was still painfully tight when I woke up this morning. I have been using heat on it and some walking on the treadmill to loosen it. It's good now but I'll wait until another night's sleep to see if it's gone.

Greg,
Slow and steady. You are right to give it a little more rest.
I hope it gets better.

[gregl515]

Today:

Back felt better today!

10 swings with 16 kg kettlebell
15 swings with 25 lb kettlebell

shoulder pulls with band 10 per side

1.8 mi walk in 45 minutes.

Felt pretty good today. I think I'm going to try some kb snatches next time. I've been watching John Davies tape a bit and I think that would be a good next exercise.

[Mahler]

Originally Posted by gregl515

Today:

Back felt better today!

10 swings with 16 kg kettlebell
15 swings with 25 lb kettlebell

shoulder pulls with band 10 per side

1.8 mi walk in 45 minutes.

Felt pretty good today. I think I'm going to try some kb snatches next time. I've been watching John Davies tape a bit and I think that would be a good next exercise.

Yay! Glad to hear the back is feeling better.

[stingo]

I second the good health of your back - esp having had some problems with mine of late.

[UConnJulie]

Originally Posted by gregl515

I have noticed that since I lost my right leg, my left arm is my weaker arm. Since I am left handed, this is a problem. I am thinking of doing all bench presses, military presses and rows with one arm leading with my left arm. Any thoughts on this?

Work on right gluteal strength and that should help left shoulder/arm strength (believe it or not!) ... there is some sort of correlation and I honestly don't recall the science behind it ... I seem to recall that it has to do with neurological development in the fetal stage or something ... but it does work (ie when I treat someone for shoulder problems, I ALWAYS look at their opposite glute and it is problematic 99.99% of the time).

Originally Posted by gregl515

I just thought I could keep some at the house to do cardio type workouts and work on my balance and core strength. Plus, they look fun.

Originally Posted by gregl515

Kettlebells are a challenge because they challenge my balance. As I tire my balance tends to get ragged.

Exactly ... they should really help with balance, and gluteal strength ... are you doing swings? Those always fry my glutes and adductors.

[gregl515]

Yes I am doing swings.
Are there any other exercises you might suggest?

[gregl515]

Yesterday: Hads to go to continuing ed so I only had time for a quick workout.

Warmup/cooldown: Nustep 5 minutes at level six.

DB Squats: 30 x 10 x 3
Plate Deadlift: 35 x 10 x 3
Incline DB bench Press: 40 x 10 x 3

[gobbla]

Swings are awesome. I don't know if you recall from my log but try setting the KB down outside your foot, pick it up with the opposite arm set it down by the OTHER foot. pick it up with the opposite hand...back and forth.

It's a little hard on the back but it's in effect similar to a twisting single leg deadlift. It'll pound your ass like a frat boy on prom night.

[Chris-STL]

KB's sound pretty cool. I'm going to have to track down a set of them.

[gregl515]

Gobbla, I'll try that. I'll skip the getting my ass pounded by a frat boy on prom night though it is tempting.

Thursday:

Nustep: 5 min warmup and cooldown at level 7.

Incline DB Bench Press: 40 x 7 x 3
DB Military Press: 30 x 7 x 3
DB Bentover Row: 45 x 7 x 3
Lat Pulldown: 115 x 7 x 3
Gobbla kb thingies with a DB 25 x 10 each arm
crunches: 2 x 15
reverse crunches 2 x 15

Friday:

Treadmill: 2 x 20 minutes at 2.4 mph.

kb swings 25lbs x 20
Gobbla kb thingies with a real live 25 lb kb. x 10.

I was looking on the internet for books or ideas on strength training with a lower leg amputation without much success. I could be wrong, but a strength training guru might make some money designing a book/program for amputees. Just an idea. I'm learning alot about how my body works through trial and error but I'm not a trainer and may not be doing it with maximum efficiency and safety.

[gregl515]

Sat:

Warmup: 10 minutes treadmill at 2.3 mph.

Squat: Bar (45lb) x 8 x 2
Goblet squat: 35 x 10 x 2
Leg Press: 270 x 10 x 3
Hack Squat 90 x 8 x 2
Plate Squat 35 x 8 x 2

Cooldown: NuStep 5 minutes at level 6.

[Lost Dog]

Originally Posted by gregl515

I was looking on the internet for books or ideas on strength training with a lower leg amputation without much success. I could be wrong, but a strength training guru might make some money designing a book/program for amputees. Just an idea. I'm learning alot about how my body works through trial and error but I'm not a trainer and may not be doing it with maximum efficiency and safety.

Even though they might not train amputees, themselves, you might write to some of the strength coaches that you respect and see if they can point you in the direction of someone who does.

Also, you might contact veteran's groups/organizations, as they might have info on training for wounded soldiers.

Even googling some of the bootcamps and training programs that are run by ex-Seals, etc. and contacting them might net you some good leads.

[gregl515]

I'll give that a whirl.