Urgent fitness question !!

[lefty]

So, 3 weeks ago, I was walking on the street, and it was really icy (Oh Canada ), I slipped, but I didn't want to fall backwards (there was a little old lady behind me), so I somehow used my left leg to make sure I wasn't falling, and man, did that hurt.

No, it's painful only when I bend my left knee, and because of that, I skipped the gym for the last 2 weeks.
I 've been advised no to do leg exercises (weight lifting), and cardio should be limited to stationary bike and low-intensity elliptical.

I took an appointement with a specialist, but It's gonna be next week.

My question is : can I go to the gym and work only my upper body, while doing low-impact cardio? (I know cardio doesn't stimulate legs as well as weight lifting does, but at this point I'm limited).

And when doing upper-body exercises, should I do them seated?

Also, I know it's better to work all the muscle groups each week, so I don't know if my approach is good.

Thanks for your help

[johnsmith]

So, 3 weeks ago, I was walking on the street, and it was really icy (Oh Canada ), I slipped, but I didn't want to fall backwards (there was a little old lady behind me), so I somehow used my left leg to make sure I wasn't falling, and man, did that hurt.

No, it's painful only when I bend my left knee, and because of that, I skipped the gym for the last 2 weeks.
I 've been advised no to do leg exercises (weight lifting), and cardio should be limited to stationary bike and low-intensity elliptical.

I took an appointement with a specialist, but It's gonna be next week.

My question is : can I go to the gym and work only my upper body, while doing low-impact cardio? (I know cardio doesn't stimulate legs as well as weight lifting does, but at this point I'm limited).

And when doing upper-body exercises, should I do them seated?

Also, I know it's better to work all the muscle groups each week, so I don't know if my approach is good.

Thanks for your help

You'll be fine doing upper body whether you're standing or sitting, just so as long as you don't twist your knee.

Start super setting everything in regards to upper body and throw in more then one muscle group per day. Do all sets to near failure and lighten the weight. If you up the amount of reps, lighten the weight, and super set nearly everything, you'll still get some cardio benefits from lifting.

Also, shorten your rest in between sets so that your muscles are still fatigued.

Finally, pick some strange muscle group combinations such as biceps and chest on a single day. THe blood will be forced to circulate a bit more and you'll still get the cardio benefits.

Finally, use this opportunity as a good chance to strengthen your core. Lots of beneficial work can be done simply by using a mat and doing core work.

Hope this helps.

[lefty]

You'll be fine doing upper body whether you're standing or sitting, just so as long as you don't twist your knee.

Start super setting everything in regards to upper body and throw in more then one muscle group per day. Do all sets to near failure and lighten the weight. If you up the amount of reps, lighten the weight, and super set nearly everything, you'll still get some cardio benefits from lifting.

Also, shorten your rest in between sets so that your muscles are still fatigued.

Finally, pick some strange muscle group combinations such as biceps and chest on a single day. THe blood will be forced to circulate a bit more and you'll still get the cardio benefits.

Finally, use this opportunity as a good chance to strengthen your core. Lots of beneficial work can be done simply by using a mat and doing core work.

Hope this helps.

That looks good, thank you.

However, you mention the cardio benefits from this lifting plan, does that meean I shouldn't do any form of cardio ?

[boutons_]

go ahead and work out. If that hurts your knee, it will tell you, now or later, so pay attention.

common sense, not rocket science.

[lefty]

go ahead and work out. If that hurts your knee, it will tell you, now or later, so pay attention.

common sense, not rocket science.

Thanks....

[lefty]

More help, please...

[johnsmith]

That looks good, thank you.

However, you mention the cardio benefits from this lifting plan, does that meean I shouldn't do any form of cardio ?

It's a personal preference.

I started lifting like this about a year ago because what good was strength and mass doing me? So I do both cardio and lift that way and I've seen fairly signifigant drops in body fat.

Having said that, it's still about what you eat as much as anything else.

[lefty]

It's a personal preference.

I started lifting like this about a year ago because what good was strength and mass doing me? So I do both cardio and lift that way and I've seen fairly signifigant drops in body fat.

Having said that, it's still about what you eat as much as anything else.

Well, I prefer to add cardio.

What kind of cardio can I do considering my injury?

[SequSpur]

ask tpark.....

[johnsmith]

Well, I prefer to add cardio.

What kind of cardio can I do considering my injury?

honestly, boutons was right, whatever doesn't hurt your knee.

If there is any pressure whatsoever that even makes you question the workout, don't do it.


If you have access to a pool, swim, swim, swim, swim. If not, try biking first, and remember, walking fast is severely underrated when thrown in with a fast paced, difficult weight routine.

[Hemotivo]

ask tpark.....