No more GS!

[Tom M-W]

I've had a year of shoulder problems and on Tuesday I had my fears confirmed that I'm basically out of the GS game before I really got started. The medico's that had been working on my body have made mutterings about "getting older, worn out, arthritis, blah, blah" and this week I got another opinion from the pro's at Olympic Park Medical Centre- Dr Adam Castricum (OZ athletics team Dr.) His opinion was that 38 years of intense activity has caught up with me- especially OH (17 years AFL, 32 years surfing, martial arts, athletics, swimming, and numerous injuries, etc.) Therefore x-training is in and specific hi- rep over head weights is out! This is pretty disappointing, but the good news was that I can still do the exercise I love but I have to be much smarter in my approach, with a focus on quality rather than quantity. So my KB work will need to be more a balanced -less hi-rep -strength maintenance program. So back to a 5x5 approach, and OH maybe a low rep PTTP type strength approach. My cardio will need to come (primarily) from non-OH means. So JD's tyre jumps could be of use for me! hahahaha. I'm not even allowed to strive to be a pussie any more!

The surprise of the day was that he felt, cautious Judo would be OK- if that's really possible. I think I'll become a ground specialist.

Anyway, that's my little story, good luck with your training. I was really into GS and will have a difficult time filling the gap. But, such is life!

Cheers Tom

[Paul in Hobart]

Sorry to hear that Tom. I'm surprised he thought judo would be OK.
btw arthritis is just a word not a symptom or sentence. Had a surgical opinion? Anything that can be done arthroscopically? I would not lie down without a fight myself.

Can you do KB swings/cleans?

[Tom M-W]

Yes Paul. I can do swings and cleans. Basically I can still use KB's but I have been strongly advised to stay away from long sets / high reps of anything OH. But a more traditional rep / set training structure should be fine. I'm hoping that I could perhaps, have 1 GS cycle per year, but GS is very demanding and specific- and ill advised at this point. I've also played down how bad these injuries have been - trying to stay positive- but I feel that the advise is correct. For example, a few years ago I could press the 32kg now I can have pain pressing the 12kg, and my shoulders would come good from rest, then I'd slowly increase the volume (not by much- you can check my log) and the pain would come back, 2+2= 4. Simple!

However it's important to note, that the GS approach isn't responsible for my injuries, but rather that the damage was done years before. I'm anxious to point that out!

Re: surgery- that is a possibility but I'll see what reducing my volume does first. I was doing 700+ reps per week OH,LC, etc, dropping back to under 100 is likely to make a great difference. I'll consider surgery if I can't lift at all. or paddle my surfboard, etc. Would you consider surgery if you couldn't run a marathon, but could run 5km's well? I think that's my situation, for example.

Yep, Judo being Ok is a surprise, but in one way it's not as repetitious / specific as GS. There's a injury concern (falls, strains, etc.) but not for the same reasons. To be honest, I'm not sure I will do Judo, but you have to get your kicks some how!

Cheers Tom,

ps. You know this situation is a real bummer but I have to maintain perspective. I hope to continue with GS technique, etc and perhaps one day I'll be able to do the odd 10 min set. I could also do shorter sets, like the relay 3min sets. So where there's life there's hope..... as they say!