Upper Body Only Training

[Tanners]

So... stuck on crutches for the next few months and going stir crazy already... if you were to set up an upper body training program (has to be seated) what would you throw in? Compound movemets only? Or would you use this as an opportunity to isolate?

:juju:

[Ana]

I don't know the answer but sorry you're on crutches :(

[Fitwolf]

I tried some compound stuff (bench presses, military presses) when I was on crutches and found it hard to not still push down with my foot. I suggest propping the foot up on something (perhaps at the calf) to ensure you don't put any pressure on it.

I didn't stick with it when I was on crutches though... I couldn't drive and the logistics were too difficult for me :oops:

[Tanners]

It's my left foot and my truck is automatic. So I'm good to drive... but the pushing on the foot was a concern I had. I think I'll be fine if I make sure it's not resting on the ground.

[Audrey]

I had an injury at the knee (knee ligament) a few years ago and was on crutches for a few weeks.

I was doing incline bench presses (the flat bench put too much pressure on my leg as you are using your legs to anchor yourself properly). I was also using a lot of Hammer Strength machines for chest and back rowing exercises. I didn't have any issues doing shoulders exercises (I did them all seated though, including laterals).

[smuggie]

Were you eating at maintenance or above during that period?

[Erik]

I had an injury at the knee (knee ligament) a few years ago and was on crutches for a few weeks.

I was doing incline bench presses (the flat bench put too much pressure on my leg as you are using your legs to anchor yourself properly). I was also using a lot of Hammer Strength machines for chest and back rowing exercises. I didn't have any issues doing shoulders exercises (I did them all seated though, including laterals).

I'd go with this.

Use the Hammer Strength stuff if you have access to it. They're good pieces of equipment. Anything that you have to drive off your lower body with, is obviously out - flat benches for example.

[Tanners]

I'd go with this.

Use the Hammer Strength stuff if you have access to it. They're good pieces of equipment. Anything that you have to drive off your lower body with, is obviously out - flat benches for example.
Kewl... Gold's is full of the stuff.

[Audrey]

Were you eating at maintenance or above during that period?

I was eating at maintenance.

Retrospectively, it was the best thing that could happen to my body at that time though (and actually it is probably not surprising that I injured myself at that time). I was on a retarded bodypart split, doing humongous volumes of training for each bodypart and seeing no progress. Add to that the fact that I never took any time off. I never saw so much progress (both in terms of body composition and strength gains) than when I returned to the gym after taking the time off.