Friday 14 June 2013

Swim & Gym + Lower back

I was worn out after last week's gym session and it basically took all weekend to recover. I felt drained and washed out. Tuesday, I was back at the pool and managed to swim 56 lengths (1400 metres). My right neck and scapular/shoulder were pretty sore/painful afterwards but settled down the following day. Both feet were locked in cramps for the last few lengths, which, in the end, is why I stopped. I had wanted to go for the 64 lengths (1 mile) but just couldn't manage it.

I recovered well on Wednesday from the swim. Then, back at the gym today. The main issue for the past 10 days has been ongoing uterine cramps. As I've mentioned before, my hormones seem to be doing weird things at the moment, including random menstrual cycles and extended menstrual symptoms like the cramps, feeling drained etc. I basically look like death warmed up 99% of the time!

Today's gym set:
  • 7 mins exercise bike (difficulty level 8)
  • Hip/lower back stretches
  • Glute bridges (10 secs hold) 3 reps then quad stretches
  • Glute bridges 10kg dumbbell across hips 10 reps, 10 sec hold.  
  • Single leg glute bridges, 5 sec hold, 10 reps.
  • Press ups-plus (at 45 deg angle) 2 x 10 reps. 
  • Press-ups on floor (knees on floor) 2 x 10 reps
  • Right Hip adduction and extension using cable weights 6kg 10 reps, 8kg 2x10 reps.
  • Seated rows 10 kg 2 x 10 reps, 12kg 10 reps; vertical flies 4kg 2 x 10 reps.
  • Chest fly with cable weights 4kg 2 x 10 reps.
  • Trunk twist using cable weights 5.4kg 10 reps, 7.6kg 10 reps
  • Rope pulsing (new exercise on new gym equipment, holding 2 heavy ropes, laid on the floor, and making them pulse) 3 sets to exhaustion.
  • Tricep extensions using cable/rope 6kg 10 reps, 8kg 10 reps
  • Basket ball exercise (throwing a weight ball at a target from squat position) 4kg 10 reps, 5kg 3 x 10 reps
  • Plank and pull (assuming plank position on hands, then pulling a weight bag from side to side under body) 10kg 2x10 reps.
  • Overhead basket ball exercise (throwing a weight ball, from above my head, at a target) 3kg 3x10 reps
  • Combo lateral/front shoulder raises whilst sitting on exercise ball 3kg 10 reps
  • Russian twist sit-ups with 5kg 15 reps + sit-up then lift 5kg ball in air 10 reps.
Unfortunately, by the time I'd finished the "plank and pull" exercise (and the overhead basket ball exercise), I was aware I'd strained my lower back (aggravated the LHS lower back issues?). It's not a new injury - I've strained it there before (I recognise the pain from hockey days!). I am hoping it'll be fine by tomorrow as long as I look after it for the rest of today.

I also noted that on the other basket ball exercise (throwing from squat position), I was left with the usual LHS lower back aggravation. It's very frustrating. Anything pushing from a squat position (including rowing) seems to trigger it.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.