In Need Of Help

DefenseWins · 11-06-2009, 02:59 PM

The following in an excerpt from what is supposed to be the most recent post in my lifting log, but it is currently not updating.

A little background: I have Cerebral Palsy, and it effects the right side of my body. My right arm is a little weaker than my left, and my right leg is significantly weaker and my right foot has an outward turn to it, so my balance is iffy at best. My goal is to have a 1000+ combined Bench + Squat + Dead. I currently have about 430 pounds to go.

More importantly, due to the small size of the town which I live in I have 1 gym to go to. Recently this gym decided to take away the power racks and replace them with Smith Machines. This obviously will effect my routine, but I feel that it may be better for me. Due to my Cerebral Palsy, I have little balance, and as my weights were getting heavier, I could not balance them effectively. This is obviously a safety issue. (Before anyone ask: I cannot correct this balance problem, only improve it. My CP effects my right side much more, and it will be there no matter what I do. I was starting to have to have 3 spotters when I squat to watch the weight.)

My question for my faithful brethren on the S&P, what should I do? How can I adapt what I have available to to create an effective workout? I really would love to continue with the S&P style work outs, as my improvements are obvious, but I cannot think of how to do dead lifts or any of those other types of lifts with a Smith.

My gym has the regular host of machines, and free weights.

Thanks for all of your help!

Gordon · 11-06-2009, 03:34 PM

Firstly huge respect to you for continuing training and striving to improve under those circumstances, I mean that honestly.

My instincts would be to keep your sets / reps the same and try out the smith machine and experiment with how the bar path affects you.

Depending on your balance, you could try doing something like dumbell lunges or dumbell bulgarian squats, these would keep your legs working hard and would be a good addition to the smith squats. They usually help in improving balance as well. Again, you would have to experiment to see how this works in relation to your own needs.

Some of the machines could actually be of benefit to you, as they could take out the element of balance and allow you to work sides of your body indivdually, without the danger or losing balance or dropping weights. If you are comfortable enough using free weights, I would stick with them, but add in some accessory work on the machines.

Donut62 · 11-06-2009, 03:57 PM

The next person who complains about squatting being hard should have their ass kicked.

Merrill · 11-06-2009, 04:08 PM

Squatting is hard, and the bar hurts my back.

rckvl · 11-06-2009, 04:26 PM

I can't beleive they replaced power racks with smith machines... well I can beleive it but its just stupid. Do they not have any sort of squat racks in the gym? Either way you should still be able to do deadlifts, bench, SOHP and such even without a power rack. I'm assuming they have at least a bench press.

If they don't have a squat rack look into something like goblet squats or other dumbell squat lifts.

Gierrod · 11-06-2009, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gordon

Firstly huge respect to you for continuing training and striving to improve under those circumstances, I mean that honestly.

My instincts would be to keep your sets / reps the same and try out the smith machine and experiment with how the bar path affects you.

Depending on your balance, you could try doing something like dumbell lunges or dumbell bulgarian squats, these would keep your legs working hard and would be a good addition to the smith squats. They usually help in improving balance as well. Again, you would have to experiment to see how this works in relation to your own needs.

Some of the machines could actually be of benefit to you, as they could take out the element of balance and allow you to work sides of your body indivdually, without the danger or losing balance or dropping weights. If you are comfortable enough using free weights, I would stick with them, but add in some accessory work on the machines.

I agree with this also mad respect for still training.

DefenseWins · 11-06-2009, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rckvl

I can't beleive they replaced power racks with smith machines... well I can beleive it but its just stupid. Do they not have any sort of squat racks in the gym? Either way you should still be able to do deadlifts, bench, SOHP and such even without a power rack. I'm assuming they have at least a bench press.

All of the bars are gone, the only "Bar" that is present is the birdie bar for curls.

rckvl · 11-06-2009, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DefenseWins

All of the bars are gone, the only "Bar" that is present is the birdie bar for curls.

Christ, that is ridiculous. Is there any way to get your own equipment? Maybe talk to the gym and see what they did with the old stuff, maybe you can buy it from them, or even get it free. Im not familiar with the term birdie bar, is that an ez curl bar?

Other than that I don't know alot of dumbell stuff. You should be able to do the basic movements with dumbells though, like dumbell press, dumbell shoulder press, goblet squats, dumbell rows, I think you can even do some sort of deadlift with dumbells, though i'm not sure on that one...

DefenseWins · 11-06-2009, 04:49 PM

The gym is keeping the equipment and putting it in their new location that is currently being built.

scoopj · 11-06-2009, 04:51 PM

Can you buy your own equipment? If your goal is to hit 1000 with 430 lbs to go, that will take quite some time I would imagine. In the time it takes to hit your goal you may have spent as much for your gym membership as it would cost to buy your own equipment. That was my justification for getting my own originally.

And with regard to safety, if you get the right equipment, squats can be quite safe even with your balance issues.