I just registered on this site a couple days ago. I'm looking for advice on developing a weight program suited to my particular needs. A little background will help understand my circumstances (I'll try to make it brief but I've got to cover 5 years).
- For Christmas of 2000 I got a Bowflex PowerPro. Before I could even get a good start on using it I had a
- Traffic accident in June of 2000 resulting in 2 herniated and 2 bulging cervical discs and some kind of soft tissue damage in the middle of my spine which was never successfully diagnosed.
- I tried to continue my study of Tae Kwan Do after the accident but a bad Achilles tendon finally stopped me (I couldn't walk with out sharp pain let alone jump or fly) as well as the neck problem.
- For almost 3 years I couldn't do anything in spite of trying, both working around the house and starting a program with the BowFlex.
- In March of 2003 I had a three level anterior cervical fusion (C5, C6 and C7) to fix the herniated discs but the bulging discs can't be repaired.
- In October of 2003 I had the Achilles tendon detached, debraided and reattached with 2 stainless steel pins.
- By February of 2004 I was released by both Surgeons and began a walking program to begin my recovery.
- Eventually I started jogging 2.5 miles 3 times a week and recently increased my mileage to 15 miles a week.
- I'm 2 weeks into the BowFlex better body workout and am increasing weight regularly at this point.
I'm a 53 year old male, 6'6" tall and currently weigh 230 pounds, down from 250 2 months ago. This weight loss is mostly due to upping my jog mileage and beginning to watch my diet, but I want to lose more and I figured it was time to increase my upper body muscle mass.
This brings you up to date. Here's my problem. I've already had to drop the Seated Rear Deltoid Row from my program due to the stress it was placing on my neck (read that pain). So far the other exercises (Inclined bench press, seated lat row, biceps curl, lying triceps curl, functional lower back extension, resisted abdominal crunch and seated resisted oblique abdominal crunch) aren't causing much discomfort but this might change as the weight increases. I'm wondering if anyone can suggest exercises I can do on my Bowflex that will allow me to duplicate, in this case the rear deltoid row, the exercise's affect while avoiding the stress that particular exercise puts on my neck?
I'd appreciate any advice those with experience might provide. It kinda feels like this is my last chance. This has to be a maximum, yet careful, effort on my part. I realize I might have to play through some pain but I'd like to avoid doing more damage to my already screwed up neck.
03-14-2006, 03:11 PM
New Member Needs Advice
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