Getting back into training after car accident

[VixenVenus]

In February of this year I was in a real bad car accident where my neck and back were injured. I finally got the okay from my doctor, physical therapist, and chiropractor to start training again. I'm still on a no heavy lifting restriction though. I'm also only allowed to do very light cardio too. I've basically been going on the exercise bike and the treadmill. Are there any other forms of cardio that I can do that won't hurt my back and neck afterwards?

 

[SofaGeorge]

Vixen,

I've been through many a fun accident... and I've helped friends recover from career ending accidents (and go back to work.)

Here are the rules of thumb:

1. Screw cardio - just walk. I'd rather see you working your way up to walking an hour or two a day than getting your pulse rate up. You need to recover motor coordination long before you boost your cardio.

2. So what if you can't lift heavy. Get a pair of LIGHT dumbbells and go through the movements just as though you are doing an actual work out. Don't go to failure and don't push it. Just go through your sets AS THOUGH you were using heavy weight... and move up in weight when you and your doctor agree.

3. Stretch - and ask your doctor if you can do yoga. It's light and gets you back into the discipline of going to the gym regularly.

4. Work what you can and work around what you can't. It takes creativity to get back to training after an injury.

 

[needsize]

Vixen,

I've been through many a fun accident... and I've helped friends recover from career ending accidents (and go back to work.)

Here are the rules of thumb:

1. Screw cardio - just walk. I'd rather see you working your way up to walking an hour or two a day than getting your pulse rate up. You need to recover motor coordination long before you boost your cardio.

2. So what if you can't lift heavy. Get a pair of LIGHT dumbbells and go through the movements just as though you are doing an actual work out. Don't go to failure and don't push it. Just go through your sets AS THOUGH you were using heavy weight... and move up in weight when you and your doctor agree.

3. Stretch - and ask your doctor if you can do yoga. It's light and gets you back into the discipline of going to the gym regularly.

4. Work what you can and work around what you can't. It takes creativity to get back to training after an injury.

That's some good advice, also stay away from the treadmill, it's high impact which is the last thing your body needs right now

 

[Thaibox]

What exactly were your injuries?

 

[DrBones]

Use the epileptical thing.. you know that machine with the ski poles attached to it.. there is no impact so you should feel painless afterwords.
Thanks
Ryan

 

[SofaGeorge]

That's some good advice, also stay away from the treadmill, it's high impact which is the last thing your body needs right now

Ditto. Walking yes... treadmill no.

 

[VixenVenus]

I have whiplash, my neck, upper and low back were injured. My tailbone was fractured and my hips were whacked out of place.