Yesterday, I was using the chest-supported row (have been using it for month, but I increased the weight some yesterday), and I felt my sternum hurt during one of the reps. I tried to do dips after, but it hurt too much, felt like my sternum was going to pop open.
Anyway, I am pretty sure I have damaged the sternum cartilage where the rib attaches. Anyone else experience this? How long did it take for you to heal? What did you do in the meantime (besides legs)?
That is the exact reason I gave up the suppotred row. I would always be sore the next day after using that piece of equipment. I use the regular t-bar row now, instead.
I usually stopped hurting after a day or so.
If you are a teenager, certain exercises will cause you to have pain in the sternum. Nothing can really fix it except to avoid those exercises. Dips and supported rows both used to do it for me when I was in high school, but they no longer cause a problem. I don’t know your age, but this might be relevant.
[quote]engerland66 wrote:
Anyway, I am pretty sure I have damaged the sternum cartilage where the rib attaches. Anyone else experience this? How long did it take for you to heal? What did you do in the meantime (besides legs)?[/quote]
I did something similar a year or so ago doing weighted dips on power rings, I felt a nice cracking sound and kept going and it never really “healed” as such. I can’t use a hammer strength bench or do dips with a close grip any more without pain, and sometimes sneezing causes pain in my sternum. But other than that it causes no problems, I just don’t do those exercises anymore.
From what I understand of the sternum, it is somewhat pliable and so, I have just steered clear of any exercises that may further antagonise it. However, having said all that, it may be healed now, I just saw no point in finding out.