Is it possible for me to lift heavy?

BeyondTrouble
BeyondTrouble Posts: 62 Member
edited January 5 in Fitness and Exercise
Due to an injury I had as a child, I have permenant very limited mobility in my left arm. I can only bend it to a 90 degree angle and extend it to a 10 degree angle ( you should play the kids game "head shoulders knees and toes" with me, I look hilarious). Needless to say, it's hard for me to gain muscle in that arm.

After I get myself to a decent weight through more focused cardio- i was thinking about trying heavy lifting but I'm not sure that it would even be possible for me. The only thing i do know is that certain lifts would be impossible. Anything over my head (except for maybe a VERY closely spotted and scary bench press) would be out of the question. Dead lifts? No prob! Legs? Woud not be an issue.

What do you think?

Replies

  • sarahrbraun
    sarahrbraun Posts: 2,261 Member
    Due to an injury I had as a child, I have permenant very limited mobility in my left arm. I can only bend it to a 90 degree angle and extend it to a 10 degree angle ( you should play the kids game "head shoulders knees and toes" with me, I look hilarious). Needless to say, it's hard for me to gain muscle in that arm.

    After I get myself to a decent weight through more focused cardio- i was thinking about trying heavy lifting but I'm not sure that it would even be possible for me. The only thing i do know is that certain lifts would be impossible. Anything over my head (except for maybe a VERY closely spotted and scary bench press) would be out of the question. Dead lifts? No prob! Legs? Woud not be an issue.

    What do you think?

    I cannot quite visualize your limitations...

    I would say that the best thing to do would be to check with a personal trainer who would be able to set you up to do certain lifts and see if your body can handle the range of motion.

    I don't even HAVE an actual trainer, but whenever I am getting ready to do a new exercise, I ask the trainer at the Y if he can please watch me to make sure I have correct form.
  • contingencyplan
    contingencyplan Posts: 3,639 Member
    Due to an injury I had as a child, I have permenant very limited mobility in my left arm. I can only bend it to a 90 degree angle and extend it to a 10 degree angle ( you should play the kids game "head shoulders knees and toes" with me, I look hilarious). Needless to say, it's hard for me to gain muscle in that arm.

    After I get myself to a decent weight through more focused cardio- i was thinking about trying heavy lifting but I'm not sure that it would even be possible for me. The only thing i do know is that certain lifts would be impossible. Anything over my head (except for maybe a VERY closely spotted and scary bench press) would be out of the question. Dead lifts? No prob! Legs? Woud not be an issue.

    What do you think?

    For a while I was working with a program that used lower body focused heavy lifting (which you can do) with bodyweight based upper body exercises. And it worked great for me. Maybe something like that is worth looking into!
  • BeyondTrouble
    BeyondTrouble Posts: 62 Member
    Both excellent suggestions!!! Thank you so much :)
  • kikimama125
    kikimama125 Posts: 25
    I have nerve damage in my right leg so I have weakness/numbness on that side. What I did was go to my doctor and ask for physical therapy. Then I asked the PT to make me up a routine and had them teach me good form for each part. This way not only did I get a routine just for me and my issues, but I was taught to do it correctly and some of my lifts are just to help that side. If you have good insurance it should be covered too!
  • BeyondTrouble
    BeyondTrouble Posts: 62 Member
    Oh that is a GREAT idea! I never would have thought of that. Thank you!
  • Belinda658
    Belinda658 Posts: 181 Member
    Ditto a PT. I have limited ROM in my shoulders and some other mobility issues but my PT has been great working out different things to do
  • BeyondTrouble
    BeyondTrouble Posts: 62 Member
    Belinda & kikimama - thank you so much! I just met with my Dr and he prescribed me a PT! I never ever would have thought to go this route without your help. Now I'm not so scared to try to build muscle in my bad arm since anytime in the past I've experienced pain and had to avoid using it at all afterwards. You ladies rock. :flowerforyou:
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