When to stop

on 3/7/2008 by mattmean | filed in: Strength Training
So as having just recently I've severely injured my rotator cuff I've learned two things.

1. Not lifting heavy weights doesn't mean less risk by any means.

2. If you're doing an exercise with an extreme range of motion... don't.

I enjoy nearly every athletic activity you can think of, rock climbing as well. So to improve my climbing abilities I began doing what you would call a dead pull up. I would have a 25 lbs around my waist and hang, a dead hang for 10 second solid, while both improving my grip and tensing and stretching my should back and bi's. Then with one forceful motion I would do a fast and powerful pull up, then lower back down to a hang. I was doing 3 set of 10, 10 second reps. Needless to say that extra stress coupled with other activities killed my cuff. My Specialist broke it down to me very simply, "No matter how strong u get or how big and or dense your muscle fibers become, no matter how much endurance you have (i was up to 33 pull-ups in 1 set) you're tendons and ligaments aka my rotator cuff will never grow or strengthen to the ratio that your muscles will."

so lesson be learned, no matter how fit you get, injury can be just around the corner
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Mack Mack
January 30, 2009
7:00 AM
haha

mattmean mattmean
March 07, 2008
9:06 PM
I tore it on the 27th of December, I've been out since, I'm on several anti-inflammatory and have had a few injections, its getting better, the scar tissue is dissipating and i have almost 100% range now, just no strength. Im guess by april ill be back in the gym. (hope so) I'll be patient in getting back into things. I separated my other shoulder in wrestling but that was many moons ago haha.

Jweave Jweave
March 07, 2008
8:01 PM
Ouch to both of you

ryan ryan
March 07, 2008
6:20 PM
Oh man.. injured the rotator cuff? How long are you out of the gym for that one? I separated my shoulder once and I had to stop lifting upper body for 4 - 6 months. It was really annoying because I was forced to lose the muscle mass I had gained.

 
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