Working Out With Broken Arm? page

[coppertiara]

I was planning to start up Mark's primal fitness routine this week, after healing from surgery, but then I fell and broke a bone in my elbow over the weekend. It's just a hairline fracture, no cast or anything, but I have been told to avoid lifting things or falling on it again until it heals. Any thoughts on how to kick off the program and stay motivated when I can't do pushups, pullups, planks or sprints for the next several weeks?

[The Return of Dado]

Great question and it's right up my alley.

I had a stress fracture earlier this year (which I documented on this forum, search for it). No cast, but I did have to take it easy. I stopped lifting, stopped playing basketball, and eventually it healed. My fracture was in the shin, I think they call this the fibula, or the femur, I don't know.

Do what doesn't hurt you. I don't think something like simple bodyweight squats will hurt you, maybe some lunges, whatever you gotta do.

The only thing you can't do is, I think obviously, pull-ups and push-ups.

Bottom line is, work around it.

[The Return of Dado]

Maybe you can get one of those leather helmets with the hanging chain, and you can lift weight plates with your head.

Get creative.

[Coach Palfrey]

Like Dado said - spend the time getting really good at squats and lunges. You could also play around with some single arm stuff too.

[coppertiara]

some great suggestions, thanks Dado and Coach. I appreciate your replies - it helps keep me motivated to know there are others out there to help and have worked thru these issues as well.

[Coach Palfrey]

some great suggestions, thanks Dado and Coach. I appreciate your replies - it helps keep me motivated to know there are others out there to help and have worked thru these issues as well.

I've come out the other side of my only 2 injuries in much better shape than I started. A dislocated patella tendon in 1996 "enabled" me to get really good at pull ups and push ups. And the rehab following a torn rotator cuff really sorted out my overly-tight shoulders.

Injuries can really suck but it's largely an attitude thing.

[LoydAviles]

I had a stress fracture earlier this year