pull ups

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by FunGranddaddy - 2022-08-03 12:19:47

Interested in this as well. Also same question for dips. 

A few helpful links to encourage you .

by Gemita - 2022-08-03 13:42:09

Fitutin, what is important is that you have been told by your EP that you can do "weighted" pull ups, so from a health point of view you must be fit enough.  I am assuming your EP knows the weights you intend using?  It might be worth checking again, even to show him a short video of weighted pull ups so that he knows exactly what it involves.  He can then discuss how this might affect your leads over time.   I have always found pull ups exceedingly difficult, without adding more weight.  

I attach a few old links which might help to reassure you about pull ups in general, especially once you are well healed and your leads are more secure.  Nothing really on "weighted" pull ups though, although see the first link.  Stay strong and safe and enjoy your activities.

You will need to copy and paste each link into your main browser to open it:-

https://www.pacemakerclub.com/message/17716/push-ups-pull-ups

https://www.pacemakerclub.com/message/40329/exercising

https://www.pacemakerclub.com/message/31454/gymnastics

pull ups

by Tracey_E - 2022-08-03 19:37:38

My doctor is fine with me doing pull ups. I did Crossfit for ten  years with my ep's blessing and no negative side effects or lead issues. Just the opposite, he wants me as fit as possible and encourages it. 

Pullups

by AgentX86 - 2022-08-03 21:36:05

I'm impressed.  I've never been able to do one pullup.  When I was in secondary school, I could do 9' standing long-jumps but have never had any upper body strength at all.

As long as you're past the initial month or two, there's no reason for it to be a problem. There is plenty of slack in the leads.

Crossfit question for Tracey

by JamesInHouston - 2022-08-04 14:08:48

I used to do crossfit before the onset of AFIB, then PVCs.  I'm finally getting an AV block and pacemaker in a few weeks.  I see lots of conflicting information about using weights and doing upper body work with a pacemaker (bench presses, overhead presses, pullups, pushups, etc).  Is your doc open to you doing all of those?  I've seen other people express their doc saying they shouldn't left more than 40 lbs in the arm next to the PM.  IE the risk of damaging the leads.  I appreciate any comments you provide.

James

I think I am reassured

by Gemita - 2022-08-05 06:35:04

Well, after reading the following further Pacemaker Club links, it would be hard for anyone not to feel reassured that our leads and pacemakers will stay in place and continue to give good service.  This would be particularly so if the pacemaker and leads have been placed in a good position and securely.  

The only negative thing I picked up was that leads that are visually close to the skin surface, near the collarbone could get pinched (?crushed) during exercise when using heavy barbells for example and that this could lead to “lead insulation rupture”, so maybe this is something to be aware of.  

My personal feeling now is if we have been declared medically fit to carry out certain exercises, we should build our strength slowly and consistently.  Chest discomfort from whatever cause would be a red flag for me to slow down or to stop and to learn to pace myself better. 

https://pacemakerclub.com/message/25006/workouts-and-coping

https://www.pacemakerclub.com/message/25988/lifting-restrictions

https://www.pacemakerclub.com/message/40481/silly-worries

JamesinHouston, as an arrhythmia sufferer, I know how difficult, if not impossible it is to exercise sometimes during symptomatic episodes of AFib.  I hope the AV Node ablation will help with your symptoms and improve your exercise capacity.  It cannot ever be as good as having an atrium free from AFib and able to provide that extra support (called "Atrial Kick" which contributes to cardiac output by around 25%) but hopefully you will have fewer symptoms and be able to slowly build your strength and enjoy a better quality of life.  Ectopics, like PVCs I was told might be helped by a higher base rate setting to outpace slow, irregular, pausing beats.  Good luck with the procedure and please let us know how it goes

Pull ups

by Hoser - 2022-08-05 22:24:41

Just don't bang the bar on the way up.  Ouch!

James

by Tracey_E - 2022-08-06 20:50:52

I sent you a private message, but yes I do Crossift with no restrictions and after 10 years my leads are still fine. My doctor encourages it, he wants me to stay fit. Crossfit is what I like, so he said do Crossfit.