What about R. Moon 80 yrs old

Hello Pacers,
Recently read about Senior Body Building Champion, Ray Moon. He lifts weights, runs and competes. I had my implant Jan 18 and fear weight training because of the many cautions received from professionals. I am 70 trained for 22 yrs. I turn the page and there is R. Moon and photos with his PM clearly in view. Any comments please respond.

4 Comments

weights

by Tracey_E - 2013-05-23 10:05:18

For every dr who says we should not lift weights, there is another one (or 2 or 3!) who says go for it. There are no studies or long term evidence either way because there aren't enough of us out here. Some drs have a valid reason for telling us to hold back, usually other health conditions or placement of the pm. If it's right under the clavicle, it's possible to pinch the wires so lifting heavy is a bad idea. Other times, I think it's a cya world so when they don't know for sure it's safe, they say no. Or, they have mostly sedentary patients so when they get an active one they automatically say no. I've also noticed active drs tend to be more supportive of patients who want to be active. I would ask again why they told you no.

Why did you get your pm? If your heart is otherwise healthy and the pm fixes your problem and your dr has cleared you for exercise, you should be able to run and do whatever you want.

As for weights, there are mixed opinions. My dr says no limitations, do whatever I want. Some say no weights over shoulder level. Some say no heavy weights over shoulder level. Some say no hanging from the bar (pull ups, etc). I know of one person through here who damaged leads by lifting weights. I know of many many more, myself included, who lift regularly and have never had a problem.

I got my first pm in 1994. I started Crossfit a little over 2 years ago expecting my cardiologist to have a cow but he laughed and said have fun. The workout is different every day. This morning we did sprints, box jumps and power cleans. Did I risk my leads by cleaning the bar? I don't think so. My pm is lower and buried so the bar doesn't sit on the leads. The leads are usually too long, rather than shorten them they coil the extra and put it behind the pm so there is slack. The pm itself is titanium. I believe my dr when he says I'm not going to hurt it. I believe my St Judes rep when he says the same thing. I've been with him since my first surgery and he sees more young active patients than my dr does.

What it comes down to is choice. No one has a crystal ball so all we can do is our best guess. Get the facts, find out why they've cautioned you against weights. Decide how much risk you can live with, then decide what's right for you. For myself, I truly don't think I'm taking a chance but I enjoy it so much and it makes me feel good so if they told me it was a risk, I'd probably keep doing what I'm doing and not worry about it. ymmv, of course :)

EXCELLENT

by LeeT - 2013-05-24 12:05:40

I will return to the gym tomorrow, treadmill light, weights very light for the first week if I feel good with caution I'll move forward with intensity. Don't realistically feel (now) I will return to what I was before. Excellent comments very helpful most appreciated.

Wts & trujillo.leeroy & TraceyE

by kgopalrao - 2013-06-01 01:06:08

Firstly, reg the comment on Ray Moon and his PM clearly showing, I have been wondering whether a properly secured PM should appear so clearly under the skin below the clavicle. my cardio says its ok. I KNOW that soon after the implant some 6 mths ago, it was NOT so clearly visible. Could be that my wt loss efforts (83kg>77kg these 6 mths) have caused it to appear more prominently. Am inclined to let it ride unless someone out there has a word of warning.

Reg wts, Tracey might remember my queries of a mth ago. Since then, i obtained 3 diff opinions from cardiologists (u be the judge, ok after 6 mths since scar tissue is holding everything in place, & no-no). I hv carried on regardless, on the principle that at 74 I'd rather suddenly collapse from overwork than slowly slide into zombiedom without my workouts.So far, touch wood, no problems, and my commom-sense tells me that the scar tissue stabilising theory is the most logical.

More on wts, its only ex affecting the pectorals that could possibly hv an adverse effect. Chest flys of all kinds, pushups, maybe planks too, and certainly shoulder presses. I moved vey slowly on these, and am only now getting back to pre-implant levels. If one monitors oneself carefully, I would say theer's no problem with working out.

Tracey, r u there? Do look at my earlier response to u now and let me hv yr words of wisdom. I noticed, particularly, an opinion that many cardios do a cya, which exactly mirrors my opinion.
Gopal Rao

Weights

by LeeT - 2013-06-01 03:06:07

I have since returned to the gym and very much enjoy the work outs. I work the treadmill first followed by biceps and triceps then leg work and calves. It's all coming together will expand to other areas soon. Very much appreciate your comments Kagpalrao and Tracey. My pm is located left side 3.5 in. from the clavicle.

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