Russian twist agony

von66mfp
von66mfp Posts: 22 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I have currently been enjoying the gym for last 12 months going almost daily. Before Christmas I was doing weighted Russian twists in a class I must have pulled my back down right hand side. I was off gym for couple of weeks. Anyway just started back after Christmas and first week in I come down with really bad cold virus just starting get over that and hopefully back in gym and a coughing fit has started back to spasm again honestly I could cry.

Last few days I'm barely getting 2hours sleep been pharmacy this morning for stronger painkillers. I'm trying keep mobile and do stretches every hour or so. Also just got foam roller out. Having hot baths and using heat pads don't know what else to do. So frustrating desperately want get back to classes also need lose weight and certainly feeling a lot older than 52. Anyone else had similar? What worked for you?

Replies

  • Cherimoose
    Cherimoose Posts: 5,208 Member
    It sounds like you should downshift to walking or similar lower-stress activities while your body heals. Fitness can't be rushed. In the mean time, just eat fewer calories and the weight will come off. That too can't be rushed though.

    By the way, Russian twists are overrated. You can replace them with planks or the ab wheel. :+1:
  • chunky_pinup
    chunky_pinup Posts: 758 Member
    I did something similar w/weighted russian twists - I ended up dislocating three ribs. I had been on painkillers for a dental surgery, so I didn't realize how bad the pain actually was until I stopped taking them...and I was shocked at how excruciating it was. If it's been bad for this long, and is causing that sort of pain and spasming in your back, I might see if they can do an x-ray.
  • Azdak
    Azdak Posts: 8,281 Member
    I would second the recommendation to avoid classes for now and try to find some low-level activity that you can tolerate. If it is truly a muscular issue, it is possible you might be able to tolerate some lower-level cardio.

    As a general public service announcement, I would also make a general recommendation to everyone to stop doing Russian twists. It is what I considered a low value/high risk exercise that has little or no benefit for anyone.
  • Stew501
    Stew501 Posts: 65 Member
    I do Russian twist & have seen benefits
  • French_Peasant
    French_Peasant Posts: 1,639 Member
    Yikes...duly noted on the Russian Twists. They are part of my Sitting In Front Of The TV When I Don’t Want to Workout workout. I do lower weight, higher rep with them but maybe I will stop.

    OP, if you are in that much pain, it doesn’t make sense to push yourself. I tweaked my back doing deadlifts a couple years ago....just a moment of not paying attention to form because my cousin had recently died and I was distracted. I babied my back for several months till it was completely healed. There were some lifts I could do with a straight back, like squats, bicep curls, last, etc. but was mostly limited. You just have to give it time to heal.

    Another exercise consideration is spinning, but the kind where you’re just sitting in the seat and not getting overly fancy.
  • von66mfp
    von66mfp Posts: 22 Member
    chunky_pinup wrote: »
    I did something similar w/weighted russian twists - I ended up dislocating three ribs. I had been on painkillers for a dental surgery, so I didn't realize how bad the pain actually was until I stopped taking them...and I was shocked at how excruciating it was. If it's been bad for this long, and is causing that sort of pain and spasming in your back, I might see if they can do an x-ray.
    chunky_pinup wrote: »
    I did something similar w/weighted russian twists - I ended up dislocating three ribs. I had been on painkillers for a dental surgery, so I didn't realize how bad the pain actually was until I stopped taking them...and I was shocked at how excruciating it was. If it's been bad for this long, and is causing that sort of pain and spasming in your back, I might see if they can do an x-ray.

    That sounds dreadful hope youre better now.
  • von66mfp
    von66mfp Posts: 22 Member
    Thanks everyone. Not much sleep again. Definitely think its muscular as I can feel it tensing up. Its very frustrating. Maybe I will have to carefully consider my classes in future I know I will certainly not be doing any Russian twists again. A normal weeks classes for me would include pilates and yoga but mostly hiit, body pump. aerobics. Zumba and strength and conditioning which is similar to crossfit. I do walk daily as ive got a dog.

    Finding cutting down on calories very difficult at the minute with the pain and tiredness plus the gym is my downtime from a stressful environment. Oh well will just have ride it out hopefully it wont be much longer.
  • Azdak
    Azdak Posts: 8,281 Member
    Stew501 wrote: »
    I do Russian twist & have seen benefits

    I should have elaborated: Little benefit compared to other core exercises, and no benefit that you can’t get by doing other movements that are not only lower risk but more effective.

    And even if one insisted on doing Russian twists—perhaps due to an old family tradition or strong affection for Russians—most people do them wrong because they think the “twist” is the exercise when it is in fact the isometric contraction from holding the weight in a position extended from the body.

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