Cystic Fibrosis and Weight Training...

Cpaw

Hi I am a long time reader of these forums and I just joined today to look for advice over something which is really stressing me out. Here it goes...

I suffer with Cystic Fibrosis, I am 20 year old male. Now I just joined a gym with the sole intention of building muscle. However I have had a knockback, as I have CF it is vital that I excercise alot (running) in order to keep my lungs healthy, so that means a hell of lot of running. Now people at the gym have said that if I want to build muscle, then I am wasting my time if I run too as I will not make any gains and just undo everying thing I have done in the gym.

I'm upset over this. I really want to build muscle and look good. I swim alot too, maybe I could replace the running with swimming for the lungs? My sats ; I am 5'11 and am 80kg. I run 4-5 days a week, about 3 miles each time at a slow paste.

Can anybody help me out? Like would I just be wastimg my time weight lifting? I have Osteopenia (-2.1) so weight training is kind of essential for that. Maybe I could eat loads on the days I run to replace calories lost while running? I also plan to work out 4-5 days a week in the gym, but what about the rest days?

I apologise if this is all over the place, Help anyone? Thanks

Colm_OReilly

I'll admit I don't know much, if anything, about Cystic Fibrosis, but I will say that running is not the only way to tax and develop your lung capacity. In fact, there's weight based "cardio" routines you can use as well that'll will exercise your lung capacity without having a catabolic effect on your muscles.

In fact, re-reading your post, if you run 4x/week at a slowish pace for that distance, you've already adapted to it in terms of cv endurance, as adapted to this demands happens very quickly. If you're not constantly placing a greater stress on your system, the adaptations will stop.

So you definitely can build muscle mass without loss of aerobic capacity, and most people can bolster both at the same time.

If you're mainly interested in getting big, look up Starting Strength and start on something like that. On your off days, since lung capacity is a priority, you could look to do short workouts from CrossFit (referred to as metcons).

Hope this helps,
Colm

bridmwhite@gmai

The most important thing is to look after your CF regardless of what a bunch of guys in the gym say. With the amount of running you're doing you should still be able to add muscle although it's likely to take a bit longer provided you're eating enough of the right foods. Also remember that weights are great transferrers of germs and the cold virus so remember to wash your hands after lifting to reduced the possibility of any infections which could hurt your lungs.

Degsy

bridmwhite@gmai wrote: »

Also remember that weights are great transferrers of germs and the cold virus so remember to wash your hands after lifting to reduced the possibility of any infections which could hurt your lungs.

I must say you learn something new every day!:rolleyes:

Cpaw

Degsy wrote: »

I must say you learn something new every day!:rolleyes:

'Degsy' If you don't have anything useful to contribute then please don't. Thanks.

Colm and Brid, sincere thanks for your very helpful posts. I have spoken with my physio and she assured me that I could juggle the two. Hopefully I can? Thanks again guys

JJ6000

Some weight training routines are very taxing on your lungs and will strengthen them greatly....more than running I would think.

Look up "tabata intervals" and also complex training with weights.

THose are just 2 ways to increase VO2max with weights...there are many more. Done right they are an incredibly effective and intense way to increase your lung capacity.

You should get decent muscle gains also.....especially if you are new to weights.

Cpaw

JJ6000 wrote: »

Some weight training routines are very taxing on your lungs and will strengthen them greatly....more than running I would think.


You should get decent muscle gains also.....especially if you are new to weights.

Thanks ever so much.

JJ6000

Cpaw wrote: »

Thanks ever so much.

Dont forget though, that the key to gaining muscle will be your diet.
Vital not to neglect that aspect of your training.