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2002/09/06, 03:56 PM
I am currently working on mass and strength, I have been getting pretty good results with what I have been doing, but I do have a couple outstanding issues, and I asked a friend of mine for so tips.
He is a massive chap, previously a professional wrestler, so he's got some background in the art of being massive.
The tips he gave me are what I'd like to get a second opinion on. It's not that I don't believe he knows what he's talking about, I just don't take anybody's word for anything without checking it out first, especially where my health is concerned.
Here's the deal --> right where my right bicept ends, and the elbow area joins, I have been experiencing pain. For about 6 or 7 weeks, I have danced around it here and there, and finally just said screw it and continued on as if it didn't exsist. He asked if I had been isolating the bicept using benchs, machines, etc....after telling him yes he immediatly told me to not touch them again. Go with free weights and cable only and it should resolve itself. I can understand that, and feel pretty good with that suggestion..any additional input would be appreciated however.
The next thing he suggested kinda went against what I have been taught. I generally practice trying to maintain perfect form in any lift I perform. If I can't lift it correctly, I back the weight down until I can.
He suggests, not only not worrying about the form, but purposely loading extra wieght, give myself a little swing to get the momentum up to help get the extra wieght up with. He suggests that my muscles will scale to eventually meet that demand. Keep in mind he did state to not get crazy with it. He said a little swing here and there is not a bad thing. I think some of the reason this raises my hackles has to do with my military exercise background. (there's a certain way you do everything there)
Anybody got an opinion on this?
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"When going through hell......DON'T STOP"
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2002/09/06, 04:21 PM
oK HE IS RIGHT ABOUT BOTH THINGS. I DO NOT LIKE MACHINES FOR MOST EXERCISE AND ONLY USE THEM FOR LIKE FLYES AND LEG EXT AND LEG CURLS. MY REASON IS THAT THEY LOCK YOU RANGE OF MOTION INTO ONE DIRECTION, FOR ME THAT GIVES PAIN TO MY JOINTS THAT I DO NOT FEEL USING FREE WEIGHTS. I WOULD TRY THE FREEWEIGHT VARATION OF THE EXERCISES THAT ARE CAUSING YOU PAIN....IF IT IS NOT FIXED OR GOES AWAY SEE YOU DOC. AS FOR THE SWINGING THE WEIGHT UP I AM NOT A HUGE FAN OF THAT BUT USE IT FOR MY LAST SET ONLY!!!!!!!!! AND THAT FOR ONLY THE LAST FEW REPS, AND NOT EVERY TIME...I STRONGLY BELIEVE IN GOOD FORM ALL THE TIME, BUT YOU CAN "CHEAT A LITTLE" HOPE THIS HELPS!
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Life comes by only once....Live it to the fullest!
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2002/09/06, 05:28 PM
Be cautious not to become injured by "swinging." Mutt stated my thoughts fairly well. As to your injury, try partial curls - lower movement - and see if the condition improves. If not, try partial curls - upper movement. It may take more than simply using free weights only. It may be the exercises you are choosing. Try the partial reps and then use exercises that do not overly strain the injured area. Good luck!
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2002/09/06, 08:16 PM
You have gotten some good answers so far I want to add my 2 cents. With the swinging Like Mutt said use it sparingly dont make it the norm and you can still keep your back straight use your knees by bending I have seem people hurt thier back by swinging so be carefull. For the elbow try a tensor brace they work great. they keep the joint and surrounding muscle tissue warm preventing further injury I recomend them for any one who has ever injured a joint they are very helpfull in the healing process and they are pretty cheap. Good luck
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Never be afraid to try something new. Remember the ark was built by amateurs, The Titanic was built by professionals.
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2002/09/08, 11:02 AM
Thank you all for your input.
The I'm going to try the partial curl thing too.
I guess my age is catching up with me. I never had this stuff go wrong when I was in my 20's and was lifting .... I don't think that I was as intense as I am now though.
Seems like there is always something that's not necessarily broken, but just doens't seem to be workin quite right on me these days....lol
Perseverence through adversity is a character trait that I am trying to hone, and this whole thing is giving me a great opportunity to excercise (at more than one level) that.
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2002/09/08, 06:51 PM
bnoble, I am right with you. I am looking at my 32nd b-day soon. I used to be able to do 2 hr weight lifting workouts run after that and then go to work. Now I could not do that. I did notice a few months ago that my biceps were not moving along as much, I just was not feeling it like I used to. I found that on straight bar curls as well as curl bar curls I was gripping to close together. Sincew I move the grip out they have started to grow again. So hang in there it iwll work out in the end.
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Life comes by only once....Live it to the fullest!
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2002/09/09, 11:36 PM
Sometimes for gaining purposes, you have to throw "perfect" form out the window. He is absolutely right on both counts. Sometimes you have to "cheat" to keep going up and making gains. Remember, growth is a product of overload and overload only. This means "cheating" from time to time to keep acheiving overload. And I know exactly what you mean with the age thing. I am 50, will be 51 very soon. I too get more little aches and pains than ever. But you can usually tell if they are serious or if they will go away with time. YOu get pretty in tune with your body.
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