Hi everyone!
There is great advice on this forum so I am hoping you all can help me out. I have started the BFL workout regimen (week 2) but my wife hasn't started yet (she is EFL though). The main reason is because we're trying to figure out a way for her to use weights, especially dumbbells. She broke her neck as a teenager (about 20 years ago) but recovered sensation and the majority of her movement after about a year. She can use her right hand just fine but her left hand she cannot open (the fingers stay perpetually curled closed but they can be opened by using her right hand). She can grip somewhat with her left hand though so she could probably hold a light dumbbell. The other problem is that she has limited control over her left wrist. If she does a dumbbell press, for example, her hand would flop as she cannot hold her wrist straight.
My idea is for her to use some kind of brace that would immobilize her wrist so she could hold a dumbbell but the braces I have seen cross the palm and interfere with holding a weight. I also thought maybe she could use wrist weights and do the movements of dumbbell exercises but it would just be on her wrist instead of her holding a weight.
Does anyone have any suggestions for her?
Thanks!
- Paul
First of all congratulations on starting BFL. You should check out Flexolate Straps. They are "grip free" and might just be something that would help. They will eliminate the need for gripping. If you work out at a gym, they can be used on virtually any cable machine or bar for pulling motions. I am not quite sure about pushing motions. There are many videos and workouts online that you could use for reference. Good luck.
Those look great for working on machines but I'd also really like to get her using dumbbells if possible, especially so we could work out at home using them. If we can't find a brace that would allow her to do this the straps are better than her not working out at all.
I have very limited range of motion in my left shoulder (out about 7 inches, forward about 4), with about 50% atrophy and weakness in that arm. The hand works . I know that's not to the same extent or same issues, but I have been able to modify a lot on the machines. Although I do use dumbbells to do some light exercises, almost all of my workout is on machines, they help me maintain better form than free weights, which is, I think, more important right now, for challenge 1. As I work out and build core strength, I plan to try to incorporate more free weights as possible to define, but for now, I just want the overall muscle base and weight loss. The arm isn't going to gain much more range, but I can already feel a little muscle growth in the bicep, and that's exciting. The Flexolate straps are nice, I've seen others use them. Tell your wife to just find HER workout, not anyone else's, keep the straightest form she can, and use the BFL format to do it within. Look at past Champions, one gentleman even had Cerebral Palsy- this works for EVERYone! : )