Lifting routine ok?

Rockstar1951

celtsguy - I had plantar fascitis earlier this year. I'm 60, so healing takes a bit longer, but I did what the doc said:
1. Stay off my feet for 3-5 days (used crutches even to go to/from the bathroom and bed)
2. Take twice the recommended dosage of ibuprofen for about a week for pain and inflammation. (It was so bad the doc gave me vicodin, but I didn't take it.)
3. When you start to feel better and can put a good degree of weight on your feet, start with PF exercises (Google plantar fascitis and exercises). They're basic stretching and strengthening exercises, and they worked for me. Within a week to 10 days, I was back to walking decent distances, and after 2-3 weeks, back in the old routine.

Personally, there's no way I would have done squats (or anything holding weights while standing) when the PF was bad - too much danger of either re-injuring/inflaming the foot or favoring the foot and damaging a tendon some where else.

May not be what you want to hear. Just saying this worked for me. Good luck!

celtsguy81

I have tried squats and deadlifts before. I have found on the Squats I feel like I'm doing it wrong, or not using enough weight, or I almost fall over. It's not the most confidence-building exercise.

The deadlifts are ok except my back is always hurting and my hands feel like the skin is going to rip off. I think I have city hands too much and need some more time building up to it. haha

DopeItUp

I have tried squats and deadlifts before. I have found on the Squats I feel like I'm doing it wrong, or not using enough weight, or I almost fall over. It's not the most confidence-building exercise.

The deadlifts are ok except my back is always hurting and my hands feel like the skin is going to rip off. I think I have city hands too much and need some more time building up to it. haha

Try reading up on proper form for squats and deadlifts. Starting Strength is a great book. I think there's about 100 pages dedicated to JUST the squat alone. And probably 50 more for the deadlift. Things like grip strength will come in time, but if your back hurts or you feel off balance, you're either doing it wrong or you're just not used to it. Food for thought.

redcat17

I have tried squats and deadlifts before. I have found on the Squats I feel like I'm doing it wrong, or not using enough weight, or I almost fall over. It's not the most confidence-building exercise.

The deadlifts are ok except my back is always hurting and my hands feel like the skin is going to rip off. I think I have city hands too much and need some more time building up to it. haha

Try reading up on proper form for squats and deadlifts. Starting Strength is a great book. I think there's about 100 pages dedicated to JUST the squat alone. And probably 50 more for the deadlift. Things like grip strength will come in time, but if your back hurts or you feel off balance, you're either doing it wrong or you're just not used to it. Food for thought.

Yeah, I'd recommend Starting Strength to anyone. No matter how heavy or light you're lifting, its a great book to learn form. I just got back to lifting after not doing so for 5 or 6 years and I thought I had pretty good form. Turns out I was wrong, but luckily I got the book and learned the proper way to do a squat. Its extra-important if you're over 40 like I am. Good form prevents injuries.

celtsguy81

So... I guess one question I have about form (and I'll check out that book) is when I am doing the leg press machine. Instead of my legs remaining perfectly parallel, knees close together, my knees always bow way out when I let the weight come down. Someone told me that I could just be set up that way (my bones are sort of off angle)... does anyone have this problem? And if so is it OK to keep doing it? Or am I going to end up hurting myself?