Working out again (muscle, firm, lifting, gyms)

[Sam82]

I've been exercising regularly for about 6 months. I've mostly been doing the Firm. Two weeks ago I hurt my shoulder and my lower back went out. So, I stopped working out. Now my shoulder and lower back feel okay. Is it safe to start up again? Should I do the WOs for a week or two without weights? Any help would be appreciated.

[Crustedfilth]

I'd start out slow and light. Be sure you are warming up and stretching properly. Also be sure your form is perfect.

[lola8822]

Originally Posted by Sam82

I've been exercising regularly for about 6 months. I've mostly been doing the Firm. Two weeks ago I hurt my shoulder and my lower back went out. So, I stopped working out. Now my shoulder and lower back feel okay. Is it safe to start up again? Should I do the WOs for a week or two without weights? Any help would be appreciated.

Glad you're feeling better. You don't want to cause any further injury that may put you out for even longer so definitely talk to your doctor first. If it was an ankle or something like that it might be different but, when it comes to your back, you don't want to assume.....

[Azmordean]

Originally Posted by Sam82

I've been exercising regularly for about 6 months. I've mostly been doing the Firm. Two weeks ago I hurt my shoulder and my lower back went out. So, I stopped working out. Now my shoulder and lower back feel okay. Is it safe to start up again? Should I do the WOs for a week or two without weights? Any help would be appreciated.

First, good for you for getting in the gym!

As for your issues... Some good advice in the above two posts. I just came off a pretty bad back injury - day after I did it, I couldn't even stand up straight. Went to the doc, got muscle relaxers, all that good stuff. Now I'm finally back in the gym.

When you do go back, I'd say SLOW and CAREFUL is more important than light. Its so easy to mess up your back when coming off an injury. And usually, its not an exercise that does it. Its carelessly picking up a heavy dumbbell, or tweaking something when you turn funny to put a weight back on the stand. So when you go back to lifting, use perfect form, take it slow, and be CAREFUL, and you should be good.

Anther suggestion would be to try some cardio first - see how your back feels after that - and if all is well, move on back into lifting.

[LaoTzuMindFu]

Originally Posted by Sam82

I've been exercising regularly for about 6 months. I've mostly been doing the Firm. Two weeks ago I hurt my shoulder and my lower back went out. So, I stopped working out. Now my shoulder and lower back feel okay. Is it safe to start up again? Should I do the WOs for a week or two without weights? Any help would be appreciated.

I would recommend two things:

1. For ANY back issues, see a doctor before starting up again. You may feel that you're back to 100% but the slightest twist or tweak and you're back to being injured again. Having back issues are no fun at all.

2. Get rid of that piece of junk Firm and join a gym. There are dedicated machines in gyms that would isolate certain parts of your body that would not aggravate your back injury. You'll be able to get a much better workout, and still be relatively safe from re-injuring yourself.