so this is kind of an odd request, but my Doctor wants me to work out in order to elevate CK levels. I am looking for suggestions on how to do this as I am really out of shape.
Some background, about a year and a half ago I had a cardiac event while working out. Ever since then, they have been trying to figure out what happened because I had no plaque buildup but definitely had some cardiac damage. I have been cleared to workout 2 times now, only to have them tell me to stop for more testing.
after taking nearly a year and half off, they want me to work out as hard as I can in order to elevate my CK levels as high as possible. I am doing negative sets because I figured that would be the most effective. The problem I am running into is I don’t have the cardio capacity to really do negatives effectively. Looking for any suggestions to help me get the worst DOMS possible
It may be tough to give you much specific advice, because the prior cardiac event while exercising makes me a little leery. Have your doctors given you any suggestions on the type of exercise they want you to do?
One thing I’m thinking, though, is that if your cardio capacity is preventing you from doing negatives effectively, I’m not sure what else you can do that would allow you to do more work, but with less effort. If you’re just looking to create muscle damage, than maybe continuing with negatives is the way to go and eventually your cardio capacity will improve.
Really, I have no idea and I’d either get more direction from your doctor or get the help of a professional trainer.
If it helps relieve your conscience, I was told to work out as hard as I possibly can for 14 days and then get a blood draw. I wasn’t really given any advice on how to work out. I do believe that my cardio will catch up, I just dont think it will catch up in the timeframe I have to do it in.
I believe that negatives cause the most muscle damage, but I could be wrong on that. Also there may be a better way of dealing with this problem that I am completely over looking. For example, maybe shorten the number of reps but extend the sets? I am not sure how that effects the over all goal.
If the goal is to work as hard as you can for 14 days for the purpose of blood work, I’d consider doing normal sets, in the 10-12 rep range and controlled reps, but then adding on different intensity techniques like drop sets, negatives, etc to extend the sets, and do that on every exercise. This isn’t a good long term plan, at all, but may suit the short term goal. The problem you’re still going to run into is your cardio level limiting what you can do. If you haven’t trained in a long time, though, the good news is you shouldn’t have to do too much to get the same result.