Husband help?

aquarabbit
aquarabbit Posts: 1,622 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
My husband and I have been working out and we've both been doing well. But he's beginning to worry me a bit. He complains about how sore he is. Not his muscles, but his joints and back. I know this is probably from the horrible form he has when he's doing his workouts. He's doing Body Beast right now and he's lifting HEAVY. But every time I see him doing his exercises, his back is rounded, his neck is pushed forward, and when he squats, his knees are WAY over his feet. He has a mirror in his workout space to help correct his form and he does back exercises, but he still has trouble. He's never had the best posture (he's spent his whole life hunched over a computer for his work and for video games) and this is his first time working out, so it's a big change for him. The squats are coming along, but he really struggles keeping a straight back. I showed him one of those posture correctors and now that's what he wants for Christmas. Has anyone had any experiences with them? And should I get him 2? One for workouts and one for work?

Replies

  • Razzzzle
    Razzzzle Posts: 40 Member
    Back to basics.

    Light weight and correct the form before adding weight. I'd suggest bar only.
  • Showcase_Brodown
    Showcase_Brodown Posts: 919 Member
    Back to basics.

    Light weight and correct the form before adding weight. I'd suggest bar only.

    This.

    Start at a lower weight practicing good form and have him work his way back up. There are so many videos on youtube about form for specific exercises. Have him watch a good handful of those.

    Form is something you learn as you go. I'm sure my form isn't perfect, but it becomes more critical as the weight goes up. In my opinion, it's good to progress slowly on weight even if you know you can lift more, mostly for the purpose of perfecting form.
  • aquarabbit
    aquarabbit Posts: 1,622 Member
    This is actually what I originally suggested to him. But he doesn't want to lift lighter since he wants to bulk up. I showed him a few videos on youtube as well. But he's just not interested at all and I don't want to nag him about it since this is his workout not mine. So right now I'm just happy to support him in anything that might improve his posture.
  • acpgee
    acpgee Posts: 7,953 Member
    Buy him a couple of sessions with a PT as a Christmas gift?
  • WhataBroad
    WhataBroad Posts: 1,091 Member
    well he's not going to be able to do anything if he wrecks his back... he needs to correct his form. This form corrector thing you are referring to is like a diet magic pill IMO, acpgee has a better idea for a present.
    and as Razzzzle and any internet bodybuilding site he can google up will say, drop the weight, correct the form and increase then and only then.
  • wheird
    wheird Posts: 7,963 Member
    Well, it is hard to say if his form is even off based on your observations. I would suggest that he make an account here on MFP and post himself, along with videos of him lifting, to get more helpful advice.
  • teaparty75
    teaparty75 Posts: 170
    Buy him a couple of sessions with a PT as a Christmas gift?

    THIS !!! i just bought a session to help with form and now that i'm doing things "right" i have been able to increse the weights on some lifts especially my squats ....he may feel more comfortable taking that direction from the PT
  • brandiuntz
    brandiuntz Posts: 2,717 Member
    Back to basics.

    Light weight and correct the form before adding weight. I'd suggest bar only.

    ^^This. I had to swallow my pride and go back to a broomstick (even the bar was too much) to work on my squat form. I was literally very close to seriously injuring a knee due to poor form.

    He needs to fix his form. Once his form is good, he'll bulk up much quicker. Poor form will stop progress in the worst way.

    The suggestion of hiring a trainer for a few sessions to show proper form might be the thing he needs.:smile:
  • tigersword
    tigersword Posts: 8,059 Member
    If his form is bad, he needs to go back to the bar only. Fix the form, then add weight. Bulking up is useless if it leads to debilitating injury, plus, if he ruins his back, he'll never be able to bulk. Only ignorant fools keep piling on weight without nailing down form, and the result is always injury and failure.
  • aquarabbit
    aquarabbit Posts: 1,622 Member
    Hmm. My parents just got him a new bar for his birthday and from what I've seen the Body Beast program could totally be done using bar only, so I actually might be able to convince to use that exclusively! He's really enjoying his new toy so I do think that's something he would be open to. I don't think I'll be able to afford to get him a personal trainer, but I might be able to talk to a physical therapist that I went to and see if she can give him a few sessions. That would be free through our insurance and he's seen me enjoy working with her. I wish he understood how dangerous this was and maybe talking with someone whose dealt with people who've had injuries would help.
  • Mr_Starr
    Mr_Starr Posts: 139 Member
    Back to basics.

    Light weight and correct the form before adding weight. I'd suggest bar only.

    ^ This.

    He is already hurting himself with bad form.

    And ironically, with bad form he is not getting the full benefit of lifting the heavy weights.
  • NRSPAM
    NRSPAM Posts: 961 Member
    Yeah, he needs to make sure and use good form now, or he could be down for the count for a long time. Injuries are no fun. I get them all the time, although I was messed up before I started. It definately sucks being injured!

Categories