Rowing Machine

Had my PM installed a year ago and have been told by my cardioMD to avoid rowing machines. Does anyone have experience with adverse effects from certain types of exercises including rowing machines?

10 Comments

rowing

by Tracey_E - 2014-02-06 04:02:35

I row all the time, both on the rower at the gym and kayaks. I've heard of people told to avoid pull ups, heavy weightlifting, etc, but not rowing. A rower does not put much stress on the upper body, imo. I do pull ups and barbells, also. My dr said if I feel ok, it's ok.

rowing

by dangaydos - 2014-02-06 04:02:52

thanx...I'd hate to sell my rower.

rowing machines

by Grateful Heart - 2014-02-06 05:02:06

I use one at the gym too, no problems. I also used one in Cardiac Rehab and it was fine with the Nurses.

I've never been told to avoid any exercise but then, I don't think they know half the exercises I do.....I certainly don't look it.

Grateful Heart

Any reason?

by brushmore - 2014-02-06 06:02:35

I too use a rowing machine all the time. Did the doc give you a reason? Some machines use magnetic resistance so maybe that's the why.

Don't row if..

by Duke999 - 2014-02-06 07:02:39

Don't row if it hurts. Try it out. Simple as that.
For me, I don't do it because it kind of hurts me, so I don't push it. I bought rowing machine from Costco before my implant and ended up returning it after implant. Now I do other exercises that don't hurt. As a matter of rule of thumb, whatever you do, if it hurts, stop and if it doesn't hurt, go at it. I wish you well.

Duke

magnets

by Tracey_E - 2014-02-06 07:02:43

Magnets are only a problem if they're within 6" of our device. Unless something is right under the seat, it's fine. Brushmore, more often than not when a dr says no it's not because there's a reason, but because he's never been asked before, has no idea if it's ok or not, and is afraid of malpractice so they say NO.

Grateful Heart, I go with the "better to beg forgiveness than ask permission" theory of telling my dr what I do. After his eyes bug out of his head, he'll ask if I feel ok doing it, I say yes, he laughs and says have fun. I don't look it either, annoyed sigh.

Any Reason

by dangaydos - 2014-02-06 08:02:37

Doc maintained that streching my arms repetively -back and forth -to the max might strain the leads along the clavicle. Same precaution one gets post op..don't lift your arms overhead until healing completes. Doesn't make sense to me, but I don't want to screw up an otherwise nice "install". ... for Duke..where did you feel the hurt?thanx for your comments.

Hurt

by Duke999 - 2014-02-06 09:02:44

My PM is located under the left collar bone beneath the skin. I can literally see the entire shape of the PM.
So when I do any type of exercise including rowing that requires my skin to be pulled back and over stretched, I feel pain at the PM site where I guess the leads are connected to the PM. I think the part where the leads and PM connected rub against the skin and causes pain.
And so, I don't want to push it thinking that I might disconnect or dislodge the leads somehow.

So, forget the saying "No pain, no gain".
Now I say, " Yes pain, no gain".

Duke

repetitive motion

by Tracey_E - 2014-02-07 10:02:37

Are your leads close to the clavicle? As in, can they physically get pinched? My rep and dr both say they're meant to bend and flex and move with us so don't worry about it. I know of one person, a member here, who had a lead go bad twice from repetitive motion. I know of many more, myself included, who take no precautions and nothing has happened. I had a lead replaced a few years ago. It was 15 years old, which is average life for a lead. Did it go from my activity or age? No one knows, and really, I'm not going to stress over what caused it. My other original lead is still going strong (20 yrs in May).

JUST MY OPINION! I'd rather take a small risk and live my life to the fullest, that's my choice. I truly don't think I am taking risks, but if it turns out I'm wrong I'll get it fixed and probably go right back to my barbells :o) Really, it's a judgment call. There are no studies since there aren't many of us in a position to be both paced and active for many years. Most drs have one or two patients like us at the most so they're just guessing. Do what you are comfortable with.

Rowing Machine

by dangaydos - 2014-02-10 01:02:20

Thanks all for your comments. I've experienced negligible, passing discomfort from playing golf 3 times/week, so I'll try the rowing machine and swimming for the next few months.

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