Post by Steve Gardener on Feb 10, 2008 10:35:19 GMT
Yet another episode of back pain (or some kind of pain) and I am reminded why I should do some things that I kept putting off. I've been told a bunch of stuff over the years but especially since Nick McKinless arrived about doing some lower back and core stability work. Did I listen - did I bollocks. I even recall stating, with some authority mind, that immortal line 'it ain't broke so there's no need to fix it' and 'I've managed to get world records and win competitions so why would I add more to my plate'. I'm sure there was another few know-it-all lines I've not mentioned that I used.
But two £30.00 sessions with an osteo, spasms a plenty and me doing my old man walk and what a surprise I now mutter, but quietly, 'I might give the 'planks' a try...'. I also realized, with my right rear delt angry after every press (bench or overhead) session, that I'd also stopped doing the warm up rotator cuff movement without even realizing I'd dropped it. A few small changes in routine and habits and it had disappeared without me even noticing.
Cos I am now an official old bastard (44 this summer) and added to that the sheer length of time training, combined with my single focus on some movements that I neglected some good habits serves me right when the pain reminds me of my foolishness. I NEED and so do you, dear reader, to keep these good habits up. I NEED to stretch and I need to make sure my lower back is solid. I NEED to keep the shoulder and other joints sound. the simple fact of pushing myself, especially into record level / wold class territory means I am, as I have said, 'taking my body to places it's not been to before' meaning mine is the first there. Who knows what a right hand one hand lift of over 330-kilos will do to the discs in my back and son on. What strains do I put on my wrist when I exceed 8-kilos in the Weaver Stick - even with a wrap?
This is without the sheer wear and tear that we all put on our body, more so when 'assisted'. When 'assisted' (on gear) it is not uncommon for the muscle growth and ergo the strength to grow very quickly and fast outstrip the connective tissue (fascia / muscle membrane, tendons and sinews). Hence the many pec, bicep quad tears we've seen over the years. Just recently one of the visitors to the whey gym showed up black and blue with a small partial tear to his chest and bicep/shoulder tie in. Looked worse than it was but a warning never-the-less.
David Horne, combining his love of grip and arm wrestling, ended up with shoulder surgery, Nick strained an inner thigh muscle sprinting along during flim work that has held him back for months recently and the amount of time and money I've spent getting therapy over the years doesn't bare thinking about yet all too often I drop the good habits - sometimes merely by forgetting and others by a 'I don't need to do that today' mentality.
Well I do and so do you. Stretch if only to be able to train all the time and lessen the chances of a strain. Do core work (I'm doing just planks at the mo - alternating them with stretching sessions) and make sure the unstable joints (shoulders in other words) are worked enough that the small supportives muscles hold the joint tight enough that nothing is over worked.
Regardless of whether or not you compete, to any level worth a mention, we are talking about long term training are we not. Be it as it may if the best you ever bench is 100-kilos it is better that you are able to do so in your dotage healthily and with no real issues or problems than to be able to claim you once did a 1000lbs shirted but can no longer wash yourself without the help of a partner because a joint is now fucked. Better still would be to bench that magic massive number you always wanted and years later still be capable of something. I wanna be a stronger, heavier version of the amazing jack LaLannne - full of wind, piss and vinegar into my 80's. Don't you??
But two £30.00 sessions with an osteo, spasms a plenty and me doing my old man walk and what a surprise I now mutter, but quietly, 'I might give the 'planks' a try...'. I also realized, with my right rear delt angry after every press (bench or overhead) session, that I'd also stopped doing the warm up rotator cuff movement without even realizing I'd dropped it. A few small changes in routine and habits and it had disappeared without me even noticing.
Cos I am now an official old bastard (44 this summer) and added to that the sheer length of time training, combined with my single focus on some movements that I neglected some good habits serves me right when the pain reminds me of my foolishness. I NEED and so do you, dear reader, to keep these good habits up. I NEED to stretch and I need to make sure my lower back is solid. I NEED to keep the shoulder and other joints sound. the simple fact of pushing myself, especially into record level / wold class territory means I am, as I have said, 'taking my body to places it's not been to before' meaning mine is the first there. Who knows what a right hand one hand lift of over 330-kilos will do to the discs in my back and son on. What strains do I put on my wrist when I exceed 8-kilos in the Weaver Stick - even with a wrap?
This is without the sheer wear and tear that we all put on our body, more so when 'assisted'. When 'assisted' (on gear) it is not uncommon for the muscle growth and ergo the strength to grow very quickly and fast outstrip the connective tissue (fascia / muscle membrane, tendons and sinews). Hence the many pec, bicep quad tears we've seen over the years. Just recently one of the visitors to the whey gym showed up black and blue with a small partial tear to his chest and bicep/shoulder tie in. Looked worse than it was but a warning never-the-less.
David Horne, combining his love of grip and arm wrestling, ended up with shoulder surgery, Nick strained an inner thigh muscle sprinting along during flim work that has held him back for months recently and the amount of time and money I've spent getting therapy over the years doesn't bare thinking about yet all too often I drop the good habits - sometimes merely by forgetting and others by a 'I don't need to do that today' mentality.
Well I do and so do you. Stretch if only to be able to train all the time and lessen the chances of a strain. Do core work (I'm doing just planks at the mo - alternating them with stretching sessions) and make sure the unstable joints (shoulders in other words) are worked enough that the small supportives muscles hold the joint tight enough that nothing is over worked.
Regardless of whether or not you compete, to any level worth a mention, we are talking about long term training are we not. Be it as it may if the best you ever bench is 100-kilos it is better that you are able to do so in your dotage healthily and with no real issues or problems than to be able to claim you once did a 1000lbs shirted but can no longer wash yourself without the help of a partner because a joint is now fucked. Better still would be to bench that magic massive number you always wanted and years later still be capable of something. I wanna be a stronger, heavier version of the amazing jack LaLannne - full of wind, piss and vinegar into my 80's. Don't you??
