What exercise gives a good workout without use of shoulders?

KaruaL
KaruaL Posts: 5 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
In about a week I'm getting a minor procedure done on my left shoulder that requires multiple stitches. I will not be able to workout for a week or so, but I don't want to do nothing during that week as to maintain my level of fitness.

I'm wondering what exercises I can do that I can get a good workout with, without using my left shoulder, since there is a risk of the stitches breaking if I do use my left shoulder and I don't want that to happen.

Right now I'm in my last week of Insanity to give you an idea of what sort of exercise I've been doing.

I'd like to hear what exercises you guys would do in this case. :)

Replies

  • chard_muncher
    chard_muncher Posts: 75 Member
    Possibly you could go running? I would also think any bodyweight exercises for your core or legs would be fine. Squats, lunges, sit ups, crunches, bicycle crunches, russian twists, leg raises, etc... etc...
  • KaruaL
    KaruaL Posts: 5 Member
    I was thinking about running too, but you tend to move your arms around and the stitches are going right on top of the shoulder muscle, so I'm worried that while moving my arms it'll harm it in some way.

    I like the idea of doing squats and lunges etc. though, thanks! Maybe I could do this Squat Challenge everyone's buzzing about haha
  • LainieKnits
    LainieKnits Posts: 11 Member
    Exercise bike?
  • jim9097
    jim9097 Posts: 341 Member
    Work the lower body, lunges, squats, speed skaters, box step ups, and maybe even some abs.
  • Shaky44
    Shaky44 Posts: 214 Member
    Exercise bike, elliptical (one with no arms), treadmill (hands on the rail), any number of lower body strength exercises
  • dirty_dirty_eater
    dirty_dirty_eater Posts: 574 Member
    I've got surgery planned for my shoulder in August that will have me in a sling for 30 days and very restricted for months after.

    I've been practicing 1 handed at the gym to see what I'll be able to do. So far it looks like I'll be doing a lot of leg presses, abs, roman chair, stretching and stair master.
  • H_Factor
    H_Factor Posts: 1,722 Member
    jump squats, sumo squats, wall squats, jumping kickbacks, step-ups, stability ball leg curls (single and double legged), stability ball crunches, switch kicks, scissor kicks, etc.
  • toutmonpossible
    toutmonpossible Posts: 1,580 Member
    I would be very careful about doing anything. What if you need to turn or lurch suddenly and rip your stitches? I guess an exercise bike or walking would be the best. But I would consider taking off the week.
  • KaruaL
    KaruaL Posts: 5 Member
    Wow, thanks guys, I'm getting some really good ideas! I have an old exercise bike in the attic, so I'll definitely fit that into my workout. :) I'm gonna plan workouts all around my lower body then, awesome!
  • KaruaL
    KaruaL Posts: 5 Member
    I would be very careful about doing anything. What if you need to turn or lurch suddenly and rip your stitches? I guess an exercise bike or walking would be the best. But I would consider taking off the week.

    Thanks for the concern, I'll make sure to (double-)check with my doctor if it's okay to do the exercises I'm planning to do.
  • dirty_dirty_eater
    dirty_dirty_eater Posts: 574 Member
    I would be very careful about doing anything. What if you need to turn or lurch suddenly and rip your stitches? I guess an exercise bike or walking would be the best. But I would consider taking off the week.

    I think this is wise as well.
    I'm concerned that some of the things I can manage one armed might still stress the shoulder. I'd hate to waste the surgery.
  • KaruaL
    KaruaL Posts: 5 Member
    I would be very careful about doing anything. What if you need to turn or lurch suddenly and rip your stitches? I guess an exercise bike or walking would be the best. But I would consider taking off the week.

    I think this is wise as well.
    I'm concerned that some of the things I can manage one armed might still stress the shoulder. I'd hate to waste the surgery.

    Yes and for me it's only a week, for you it's a month, that's pretty long! I think if you consult your doctor about it and explain the exercises you're planning to do, that he/she can tell you if it's going to stress the shoulder in any way or not, and whether it's wise to do exercises or not. I'm gonna double-check it just to be sure! :)
  • toutmonpossible
    toutmonpossible Posts: 1,580 Member
    I would be very careful about doing anything. What if you need to turn or lurch suddenly and rip your stitches? I guess an exercise bike or walking would be the best. But I would consider taking off the week.

    I think this is wise as well.
    I'm concerned that some of the things I can manage one armed might still stress the shoulder. I'd hate to waste the surgery.

    Yes and for me it's only a week, for you it's a month, that's pretty long! I think if you consult your doctor about it and explain the exercises you're planning to do, that he/she can tell you if it's going to stress the shoulder in any way or not, and whether it's wise to do exercises or not. I'm gonna double-check it just to be sure! :)

    Good idea to double-check. It's true that we lose conditioning quickly and you're right to try to preserve what you have but you don't want inadvertently hurt yourself. It's making judgments like this that makes exercise challenging. If you can't work out, maybe you could substitute a non-physical activity so you can retain the mental discipline. For example, you could use the time you'd ordinarily spend exercising to read up on nutrition.

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