Back in the Gym After Injury

Training Over 35 Lifter
1

Hi all,
I’m hoping some of you can chime in with your thoughts.
Until June 2007,I was a serious lifter and a personal trainer. I then sustained a back injury in the gym, which has taken almost two years to heal (mostly due to poor core strength, and a disregard for proper conditioning prior to my injury)

For the past two years, I barely worked out as a result, and therefore I’ve lost about 15lb body weight and all my previously gained muscle mass.
I am now working with a rehab personal trainer and am back in the gym, going very slowly, lifting a tiny fraction of what I used to lift.

My question is, does anybody know of a book, or online articles, or information about how to train so as to avoid injuries? I’ve just turned 49 and don’t want to give up any more time away from the gym than I already have these past 1.5 years.
Thanks to anyone who can help me out. I much appreciate it!

2

Always warm-up. That is a stretch to get the stiffness out of the muscles. Not a stretch to increase flexiblity that is after the workout.

Short cardio to warm the systems up.

Continue to stretch during your workout and through out the day.

Your stomach supports your back, do core work!

Every sport injury I’ve ever had came after breaking one of those rules.

3

Hey Lorne.

I know this one… I won’t bore you with the details :wink:

This is a great thread (“The Lumbar Stability Thread”):
http://www.T-Nation.com/free_online_forum/sports_body_training_performance_bodybuilding_strength/the_lumbar_stability_thread

Lots of folks chimed in. Good references.

Good luck!