Lifting w/injuries. Push through or take a break?

MrChad_Thundercock · 2018-07-16T12:28:57+00:00

You need a break from all those BJs.

The_Litz · 2018-07-16T12:36:18+00:00

I’m 40

maybe I’m getting old and should recognize that I’m not 20 anymore

No point in damaging yourself. I found taking a break sometimes gives you renewed energy and vigor when you resume training.

UEMcGill · 2018-07-16T13:20:58+00:00

There's aches and pains, and then there's injury.

Aches and pains you can train through, injury you need to step back and see what's causing the injury.

Things like spraining your back and cranked neck could be because of improper warm up, poor training or in the case of BJJ your pride not letting you tap when you should.

I'm 46 and while I can still hoist some weight, it's the volume that younger guys do that I find I can't keep up with. The biggest thing I've found though that I can do much better than younger guys is pace myself so that I don't end up blowing my wad before the workout is done. You're a tortoise now, not a hare, run the race accordingly.

youscum · 2018-07-16T21:14:50+00:00

I'm 36 and a BJJ brown belt. I lift 3-4 times week, train BJJ 2-3 times per week.

What I haven't seen commented here yet is diet.

I've had some minor, nagging injuries here and there. Would normally work around it, lower weights, roll lighter, stretch more, etc. but some of those injuries just wouldn't go away. Specifically, I had this hip/thigh pain every time I did squats. Squats are a must, so I just powered through the discomfort. Then summer arrived and I started to cut for bikini season. I began IF and avoided carbs and low and behold the pain was just gone one day. Coincidence? Perhaps. But there are plenty of studies out there about how eating shitty carbs causes inflammation.

Put your diet in check and see how your injuries respond.

Sweetback44 · 2018-07-16T12:48:32+00:00

Deloading isn’t really a waste of time if it’s planned following a period of intense training and is necessary or injures keep occurring. Strains can be trained around if not severe but rehab/mobility work should still be done during this time. If you are experiencing this many soft tissue injuries, eventually, your body will stop you with a more severe injury and you’ll get a “forced deload”. Athletes deload, as a strength coach will periodize a routine around their sport.

You may need to choose which is more important, the BJJ or lifting. Not to do one or the other, but to decide which will orbit the other. If BJJ is top priority, then your lifting can’t resemble Arnold’s routine, but needs to be more sport specific and complement BJJ. This may mean more 12+reps cycles and less <6 rep cycles to give the joints/nervous system a rest. If lifting is priority, you may need to cut down on the BJJ if it’s causing injuries.

When I have a strain, I do my own rehab exercise and incorporate them into my routine. You can find any exercise/modality prescription online for an injury.

Lastly, yes, age is a factor as well (I’m 48) which means that the more active, the more sleep needed for repair.

JoATMoN9 · 2018-07-16T12:50:20+00:00

Depends. If it's a bone/nerve/cartilage injury...those don't respond well to continued use. If it's a muscle however, and it just hurts (but can still be used) I'll suck it up and push through.

Rian_Stone · 2018-07-16T13:15:05+00:00

Fuckarounditis gets a bad rap, but consider this.

100 workouts a year appx at 80% of max 80 workouts a year at 105% of max, various injuries make you rest

do the math, which does more volume, consistency, and less life altering injuries?

gameoflibidos · 2018-07-16T15:09:26+00:00

About every 3-4 months I take a week or 2 off. No lifting... just some cardio on something easy like an elliptical. I'm 41.. Doesn't matter if I'm doing a heavy 5x5 lift cycle or doing a high rep cycle.. about every 4 months or so I get sore tendons in the elbows, sometimes wrists, some lower back tightness/ light soreness. After a week or so off, I'll be back to good to go again.

CaptJohnLukeDiscard · 2018-07-16T15:11:08+00:00

I'm not an expert but my orthopedic surgeon says he sees more injuries from BJJ than any other type of physical activity except girl's competitive cheerleading.

You are 40. One blown knee or shoulder will put you down for a long ass time. If it is worth the risk to you, then go get it but be smart. Take more of a marathoner's pace and not a sprint. Train with smart partners that won't fuck you up. Avoid the white belts where possible. Take joint recovery supplements, stretch, and ice. Grab some Sermorelin if it is in the budget.

SteelToeShitKicker · 2018-07-16T17:21:46+00:00

Get your testosterone checked. If you are under the middle of the range, consider TRT. It will make a world of difference.

Push through and you will be fucked for months instead of weeks.

abudun79 · 2018-07-16T19:54:26+00:00

My rule of thumb is: If I can perform the lift safe and it does not hinder the healing, I lift. Usually I find that out during the warm-up of the lifts.

mindfulbutgutless · 2018-07-16T12:45:19+00:00

How long have you been lifting, what are your numbers and what program are you running? Aside from the neck and finger what you listed will actually improve from lifting, especially if not severe.

RecoveringBlue · 2018-07-16T13:19:35+00:00

BJJ is definitely more important at this point. I’m 6’2” 220lbs 20%BF, so I’m relatively jacked. That’s a good perspective. Might switch to more rep based approach.

Title	Lifting w/injuries. Push through or take a break?
Author	RecoveringBlue
Upvotes	2
Comments	23
Date	July 16, 2018 12:20 PM UTC (8 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/askMRP
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/askMRP/comments/8zag6p/lifting_winjuries_push_through_or_take_a_break/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/askMRP/lifting-winjuries-push-through-or-take-a-break.204207 https://theredarchive.com/post/204207

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