Strength training with a foot injury

kimmymayhall

I recently injured my foot and am trying to give it time to heal while still working out. I quit running (had been 2-3 times a week 2-3 miles each) and am working in the weight room 3 times a week. I tried squats the other day but it put too much stress on my foot so I think lifts are out. I'm focusing more on my upper body workout now, which I was kind of neglecting before, but I still want to keep my legs in shape. I've tried the leg extension and curl machines and they seem to be okay. Anyone have advice on what else I can do for my legs?
The injury is some kind of strain on the top midfoot. I will go to the doctor if it doesn't feel better in a few weeks, I don't expect anyone here to diagnose me.

ChrisLindsay9

I think for quads and calves, you're probably going to be relegated to the leg extension and leg curl machines. Here are a few suggestions, but they may be a bit challenging:
Cable Hip Adduction: http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/detail/view/name/cable-hip-adduction
Hip Flexion with Band: http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/detail/view/name/hip-flexion-with-band

How are your hamstrings and glutes? This might be a time to devote more attention to them, so that when you're back to squats, you won't miss too much of a beat. What you may lose a little in quad strength, you'll make up for in increased hamstring and glute strength. And the quad strength will come back fast. And I think you'll be able to still work your glutes and hamstrings without putting too much pressure on the injured foot?

Romanian Deadlifts
Glute Bridges
Flutter Kicks
Glute Kickbacks

And you'll be able to find more here: http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/ (just filter by muscle group, and then filter again by equipment available and strength training).

Speedy recovery too you!

SadFaerie

When I strained an ankle a year ago and didn't want to stop my trainings, I was doing:

-- fire hydrants
-- leg extensions
-- donkey kicks
-- lying leg curls
-- lying abductors

Also many pilates moves for abductors/adductors.

For better results, I used ankle weights.

kimmymayhall

Thank you! I just got my squat to 100 lb and would really like to keep working out so I don't lose too much strength. I could definitely use some work on my hamstrings and glutes because I have trouble getting low. I'll check out the bodybuilding links after work.
Before I even got injured I was thinking about picking up a yoga class once a week to work on my flexibly, so this might be a good time to start.