Weight training???

I'm 62 and (pre pacemaker) regularly engaged in what would be considered heavy weight training. I'm 2 months post operation and can't get any consistent guidance from doctors, therapists etc. to whether weight training, chest and back exercises, are safe or not. If not, how does one ''train'' their chest and back safely? Thanks for any help anyone can offer.

3 Comments

Training

by tripastor - 2008-05-24 11:05:34

Hi!
My EP told me that I could not lift weights for a solid three months after the implant to give everything time to settle.
After my 3 month check, he gave me the all clear sign. I have since went back to lifting 4 to 5 days per week for the past month with no problems.
One word of caution I would offer is to go light and first and then work your way back into it. If you feel any discomfort, stop!
Where was your PM implanted?
Hope this helps. Tripastor

big weights

by gevans - 2008-05-30 11:05:55

The following are posts from two members of cardiacathletes.org. I'm copying a section of their public journals just so you can see what others do for weight training.

Gary

From Dman12:
Today was Chest and Tricep day 4 sets for each
DB bench press 45x15, 50x12, 55x10, 60x8
Pec Dec 90x15, 100x12, 110x10, 120x8
Decline db flys 25x15, 30x12, 35x10, 40x8
Bench press 125x10,135x10,145x7, 150x5
Tricep Push downs w/rope 60x15, 70x12, 80x10, 90x8
Incline bench kickbacks 20x15, 25x12, 30x10,35x8
Decline skull crushers w/curl bar NG 30x15, 40x12, 50x10, 60x8
overhead db ext. 40x15, 45x12, 50x10, 55x8
overall a nice fatigue.

From Powerman:
1 Board Bench Press: worked up to 475 x1! Another week, another PR. That beat my previous 1 board PR by 20 pounds. Tried 495 and had it about 2" from lockout and my right wrist was just bent to far back and the weight shifted me and I missed it. I said 500 in 08' and 500 is going to go!
-5 board close gips: 225 x20, 275 x15, 315 x7.
-Push-ups in Blast Straps: x20, x20 Super set with band pistons: mini band, x10, x10. These are push downs, you attach a mini band to the top of the power cage, push it down in the push down position and hold it, then alternate arms with a the push down movement. Very hard.
-Chest supported row: 100 x5, x5, x5, x5. Alternated grips.
-Reverse fly: blast straps and bodyweight, x5, x5, x5.

More on weights

by JFD - 2008-06-09 09:06:24

Guys, thanks for the posts. It is troubling that there isn't any clear guidance available. Both of the listed training weights in your replies are more than enough for me. The obvious fear is not wanting to start over! With the surgery that is.

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