A stupid question

PWR1982

PWR1982

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I couldnt find a basic thing such as this in the faqs, so I figured I would ask.

The weight lifting is bad for joints myth, is it true to a certain extent? To tell the truth you see, Ive hardly ever been in a gym in my life, I dont have experience. I just mainly do bodyweight exercises with high repetitions, but since Im 170 pounds and 6feet, I figured it would be better if I would start lifting weights, to get a bit stronger and bigger. You could take this as my beggining. Problem is I have very weak joints, and have had some injuries with them ( knee joints in particular), I guess weight lifting will only help me, and make the joints stronger if I dont take it too hard in the beggining, but I thought I would ask, just to be sure -
Is weight lifting overall bad for joints? I know it is relevant, so Ill say it this way -can it be bad for the joints, even if you train correctly, when joints are my weak side?

Ill only be happy if it is not a problem.
 
There are guys in this forum that will be able to answer that question a lot better than me. However, there is a big difference between what will happen to joints when a noob like you adds a little muscle mass, and a powerlifter that is pushing the envelope.

I used to be a bench monkey and I had shoulder problems because of a bad routine, however now that I have a better routine lifting has helped my shoulder. And squatting has helped my knees.
 
If you learn semi-decent form, your joints will be fine until you get really strong, then you'll need supergood form.
 
No need to think about it now then? Thats great then, thanks for the information guys
 
PWR1982 said:
No need to think about it now then? Thats great then, thanks for the information guys
Click to expand...

You should always THINK about it. Just make it a point to keep your form and your ego in check so you don't have to FEAR it.
 
Keep good form and as you increase in muscle mass youre knee/joint problems will get better.

My right ACL is torn (vertically rather than horizontally) and I was cautioned against doing more than half squats. Thanks to good form and the S&P I'm squatting ATG at 370,
 
I don't have any meniscus in my right knee and the doc told me to quarter squat. Thanks to S&P I'm squatting ATG and my knee has never been more stable. The muscle mass added has helped to support the joint.
 
Ok, so sorry if I end up hijacking this thread but every time I try to make a new thread it doesn't work, so I need to ask my question here.

Cross country practice has started, and I'm starting the Bill Starr's 5x5 as in the faq. Can I still make serious gains with weights if I do cross country right afterwards? Is there something I would need to do like eat a meal right afterwards to ensure I don't lose muscle/make gains?

The only time I can get to the gym (which is walking distance from the school) a little after 7am, and no one is ever in there, then cross country starts at 9am, so I have enough time to get the workout done.

Thanks.
 
The obvious answer is: it's going to limit your gains, but you can influence to what degree. A meal replacement shake would be mandatory, probably at least 750 calories with some mandatory extra glutamine, at least 5-10 grams. I would also do some time-release BCAA's before and after your lifting.
 
grrthetree said:
Ok, so sorry if I end up hijacking this thread but every time I try to make a new thread it doesn't work, so I need to ask my question here.

Cross country practice has started, and I'm starting the Bill Starr's 5x5 as in the faq. Can I still make serious gains with weights if I do cross country right afterwards? Is there something I would need to do like eat a meal right afterwards to ensure I don't lose muscle/make gains?

The only time I can get to the gym (which is walking distance from the school) a little after 7am, and no one is ever in there, then cross country starts at 9am, so I have enough time to get the workout done.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Definitely eat throughout the day, and probably more than you used to in order to keep from losing too much mass. Depending on your height and weight, you probably need to take in about 2500-3000 calories a day depending on that particular day's activity level.

To the TS, if you have joint problems the weight lifting well strengthen the muscles around the joint in order for you to maintain proper alignment. Don't go to heavy at first, and pay attention to form. If your gym has trainers, ask around and try to get one that has experience with past injuries and proper techniques. Oh, and stay off the leg extension machine....
 
Putting resistance on your body is good for your muscles, bones, tendons, and ligaments. All that stuff gets stronger.


That's why a lot of people in old age have problems with bone density, because they don't workout and/or aren't active. There's no pressure put on certain areas and that area becomes soft.


So no, you won't have any problems with your tendons, it'll get better. If not, then anyone who lifts weights would become weaker rather than getting stronger since it's the tendons and ligaments that holds all your stuff together.


oh yeah, Omega 3 is good for your joints


btw, that's one of the reaons why steroids can be so bad for you, because you're lifting so much more weights than you're used to in a short period of time before the rest of your body can adapt to the extra loads and how often you do it since you recover faster




grrthetree said:
Ok, so sorry if I end up hijacking this thread but every time I try to make a new thread it doesn't work, so I need to ask my question here.

Cross country practice has started, and I'm starting the Bill Starr's 5x5 as in the faq. Can I still make serious gains with weights if I do cross country right afterwards? Is there something I would need to do like eat a meal right afterwards to ensure I don't lose muscle/make gains?

The only time I can get to the gym (which is walking distance from the school) a little after 7am, and no one is ever in there, then cross country starts at 9am, so I have enough time to get the workout done.

Thanks.
Click to expand...



how far is the run?
 
Well the first day was a 1 mile warm up then a 2 mile stadium run, then a half mile cool down. so along the lines of 3-5 miles.
 
Ascendant said:
The obvious answer is: it's going to limit your gains, but you can influence to what degree. A meal replacement shake would be mandatory, probably at least 750 calories with some mandatory extra glutamine, at least 5-10 grams. I would also do some time-release BCAA's before and after your lifting.
Click to expand...

By time release BCAA's, do you mean like Casein protein?
 
No, he means like BCAA's

Talk to D&S for a real brand, thats just the first one that popped up on my computer.
 
Hardac said:
I don't have any meniscus in my right knee and the doc told me to quarter squat. Thanks to S&P I'm squatting ATG and my knee has never been more stable. The muscle mass added has helped to support the joint.
Click to expand...

Rock on dude.
 
PWR1982 said:
I couldnt find a basic thing such as this in the faqs, so I figured I would ask.

The weight lifting is bad for joints myth, is it true to a certain extent? To tell the truth you see, Ive hardly ever been in a gym in my life, I dont have experience. I just mainly do bodyweight exercises with high repetitions, but since Im 170 pounds and 6feet, I figured it would be better if I would start lifting weights, to get a bit stronger and bigger. You could take this as my beggining. Problem is I have very weak joints, and have had some injuries with them ( knee joints in particular), I guess weight lifting will only help me, and make the joints stronger if I dont take it too hard in the beggining, but I thought I would ask, just to be sure -
Is weight lifting overall bad for joints? I know it is relevant, so Ill say it this way -can it be bad for the joints, even if you train correctly, when joints are my weak side?

Ill only be happy if it is not a problem.
Click to expand...

Deload one week every three/four weeks if your joints are bad. This will break up the constant pressure that you are putting on the joints. During your deload week work on flexibility and mobility.
 
Ascendant said:
also do some time-release BCAA's before and after your lifting.
Click to expand...

I notice the effect of BCAAs when I take them during a workout. I'm wondering why you think time-release is important.
 
ghostwipe said:
I notice the effect of BCAAs when I take them during a workout. I'm wondering why you think time-release is important.
Click to expand...

Because I notice the effects during and after the workout, and the next day. :)

Seriously, though, the reason to take them is to start the anabolic/repair process and delay or offset the catabolic process. Long after you're done lifting your body is still trying to recover and needs those extra AA's to help maximize recovery. Also, by taking them before you allow them enough time to get absorbed, which is important for when I have 4.5 hour strongman every Sunday...
 
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