Posted: 1/16/2005 6:25:50 AM EDT
| My wife signed up at a local gym, and was advised to use the equipment 3 times per week. She made it a habit to go twice a week, and now has a lumbar strain. The question has come up, is her injury due to exercise twice a week instead of 3 times? She is recovering, the muscle relaxer/anti-inflammatory cocktail is working. Ops |
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I am not a doctor, and I don't play one on TV. I have had my share of injuries in the gym though. I would say, that her injury was caused by poor form and too much resistance. Since you didn't tell us what she was doing when she got hurt, it is hard to do more than a WAG. I don't think her injury was caused by her lowering the frequency of exercising. I do certain exercises only once per week, and I don't hurt myself. The frequency that you use should be according to your body. You have to listen to it. It is different for everyone. There are literally millions of workout plans out there. They all work well. For someone. All of them will not work for you. Someone at the gym tells you that you need to do a certain exercise 3 times a week. That might work for them. There is a good chance that it won't work well for you, based on your sex, age, body type, genetic makeup, nutrition, the list goes on. |
| I am only responding because I've been a grouchy old gym rat for 30+yrs. Tell your wife if she's over 35 to stick with BASIC PT.....leave the weights alone, unless or till she's comfortable with them. No you can not hurt yourself doing less than instructed.......Have her ask the instructor for his crediantials, is he a CSCS? |
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338winmag makes some good points. Always start with light resistance and move up slowly. Also, always learn correct form for an exercise and follow that form. I see people all the time doing exercises incorrectly. Your body must get used to exercising and it won't happen overnight. Take it easy and slow in the beginning. BTW - Kudos to your wife for going to the gym! |
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Ops It's my experience that lower back injuries are generally attributed to either (or a combination of) poor form as well already mentioned here, too much weight too fast, and lack of abdominal strength. The first 2 have already been mentioned, so I will add a plug for the latter. I recommend your wife begins some sort of abdominal routine. I strongly advise some sort of abdominal crunches. Spine Health "The bones of the spine provide the supporting frame for the back. Connected to this frame is an intricate system of muscles and ligaments that increase the strength and stability of the spine, arms and legs. The abdominal muscles and back muscles are key components of this muscular network providing the strength to keep the body upright and for movement. When these muscles are in poor condition, additional stress is applied to the spine as it supports the body and back injury or back pain is more likely." |
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When I first starting going to the gym, I didn't want to be a puss so I'd use as much weight as I could. I strained my back real good and it took a while before I even tried working my back again. Now, I don't care how much weight is on the machine. I go for 10-12x3, good form. When you first start going, you are not going to be doing much weight on ANY of the machines. Don't overdo it. |