CrossFit

CrossFit

by Samson - 2016-12-24 16:28:35

I finally tracked down most of the comments and discussion. I am going to wait about 2-3 months. My cardiologist is also one of those wanting me to avoid anything that might cause the cables (leads) to be rugulary flexed/bent. Then, of course, avoid anything that might result in a barbell or the like to rest on or near the area where the pacemaker is located, whick makes sense..This is going to be a challenge. I'm 76, but really enjoying CrossFit, so we will see. May try a CrossFit-type WOD on a stationary bike in the meantime. I even found a Tabata stationary bike WOD.

Crossfit

by Tracey_E - 2016-12-26 10:58:51

Some doctors are super conservative and give a lot of restrictions, some let us do whatever we want, most fall somewhere in the middle. My doc has always encouraged me to do whatever I want, as long as it feels ok. I recently switched to another practice that specializes in congenital, which means they have a lot of young, active patients who have been paced a long time. He was thrilled that I feel up to CF and encouraged me to keep it up, no hesitation whatsoever about leads. They are flexible and meant to move with us. As long as they aren't getting pinched, it's ok.

You can tell pretty quickly when the bar is too close. We're all built differently and they can be placed differently so ease into it and use your judgement. When you clean the bar, it shouldn't sit right on the device or leads. We have had one or two members who have it too close to the collarbone so they use dumbbells for cleans rather than the bar.

I'm on my 5th device and they moved it this last time. Before it was buried deep, now it's closer to the surface and more off to the side by my armpit.  It's too low to be a danger with the barbell but it took a while before swinging a kettlebell felt like I wasn't bumping it with my arm. I went light and did it Russian style (swing to just above shoulder level rather than overhead) for a while. Now, it's been 6+ months and I don't feel it anymore and am back to doing whatever I want.

Give it 2-3 months then ease into it. If something doesn't feel right, back off and try it in another week. You should be able to get back to most, if not all,of what you were doing before. Or maybe even more, now that your heart is beating like it should!