What are gym staff actually qualified to advise on?

daenerysstormborn3

I will be returning to the gym in the next 1-2 weeks after a 5 month break. In April I was hit by a van while riding my motorbike. My left leg was directly impacted by the van, it was struck and effectively caught between the van and the bike until I flipped over. I fractured the main weight bearing bone in my left leg. I also sustained soft tissue injuries to my knees. There is nerve damage across both my knees and they are also quite painful after a period of walking. I am due to go back to the Orthopaedic Consultant in 6 weeks for further investigations and possibly an MRI.

I have been going to physio since June, usually every second week or so. The physio has advised me that swimming will help both my injury and will help to limber up my body after such a long period of very little movement or exercise. I had a bad wound on my lower leg which has finally started to close up but has not closed fully so obviously I don't want to get into a swimming pool until that is completely healed - it already got infected so I don't want to risk it again.

My foot and lower leg swell up like a balloon everyday, this is the main reason why the Orthopaedic Consultant wants to see me again, and the exercises and strengthening exercises prescribed by the physio are sometimes hindered by the amount of pain I am still experiencing. I am still walking with one crutch and a slight limp, my physio and I think the limp is partly down to pain and not being able to bear all of my weight through my left leg but also hesitation on my part after being off it for so long.

My question is, what are gym staff actually qualified to advise me on? Are they actually qualified to advise me on rehab for my injury and what exercises will be most suitable or would I be unwise to listen to them? Before I join a gym (I am still undecided between two, going to see them this week) I will obviously get the go ahead from the physio and my G.P. but I just want to know should I even bother putting any faith in the gym staff, would their advice be well-informed or simply what they "think" is suitable? My physio has told me that he will advise me on my activity in the gym but obviously he won't be there with me.

Piriz

Dont expect a gym instructor to have the knowledge of a physio and dont expect them to be able to contribute to your rehabilitation like your physio. The gym instructor will be able to advise you on correct form (positioning and movement) for specific exercises and provide you with a program to get fit / build strength etc.

Your recovery is complex due to the extent of the injury.. take the advice of the physio and when applying it in the gym you can ask the gym instructor if your form is suitable for the exercise your doing.

daenerysstormborn3

Piriz wrote: »

Dont expect a gym instructor to have the knowledge of a physio and dont expect them to be able to contribute to your rehabilitation like your physio. The gym instructor will be able to advise you on correct form (positioning and movement) for specific exercises and provide you with a program to get fit / build strength etc.

Your recovery is complex due to the extent of the injury.. take the advice of the physio and when applying it in the gym you can ask the gym instructor if your form is suitable for the exercise your doing.

That's what I was wondering about really, thanks. I just don't want to find myself in the gym, having a bit of difficulty with something, asking one of the instructors and them answering even though they might not know what they're talking about. Cheers

Chancer3001

Your physio is the person to talk to.

He/she will make you out a plan and from my own experience theyre quite specific plans of what exercises to do.

daenerysstormborn3

Chancer3001 wrote: »

Your physio is the person to talk to.

He/she will make you out a plan and from my own experience theyre quite specific plans of what exercises to do.

I don't doubt that, my question was about whether I should bother speaking to a gym instructor at all, i.e. I don't want to ask a gym instructor a question and be provided with an answer that may be incorrect. As I said my physio has already told me that he will advise me on my activity in the gym but he won't be there with me to answer questions that might pop up during my workout so I wanted to know what it is exactly that gym instructors are qualified to advise on.

Chancer3001

if its about a specific exercise then theyll probably have a good idea.

obviously itd be much better to ask the physio as much as possible beforehand though.

daenerysstormborn3

Chancer3001 wrote: »

if its about a specific exercise then theyll probably have a good idea.

obviously itd be much better to ask the physio as much as possible beforehand though.

I intend to. Was just thinking about those small things that might pop up during the course of a workout.

calfmuscle

Your physio will give you specific exercises with a hand out sheet to guide you. Stay away from the fitness instructor for anything more than how to start the exercise bike! No physio is going to mind you calling them with a quick question. If you are stuck with an exercise just skip it and give them a call to clarify what you need to do the following day.

Hanley

calfmuscle wrote: »

Your physio will give you specific exercises with a hand out sheet to guide you. Stay away from the fitness instructor for anything more than how to start the exercise bike! No physio is going to mind you calling them with a quick question. If you are stuck with an exercise just skip it and give them a call to clarify what you need to do the following day.

100% this.

Good post.

Dermighty

Having done a fitness instruction course I would agree with avoiding them.

daenerysstormborn3

Thanks for all the advice, what I expected really.

nice_guy80

I hope your physio knows what they are talking about

When I was recovering from a knee operation I got advice from 2/3 physios and they all gave slightly differing advice - mainly down to timing, workload, exercises, stretching etc

If you go into the pool, try some aqua jogging.

daenerysstormborn3

Physio I'm seeing has a really good reputation - I work in a solicitor's office so know of his work through our clients who have been in similar situations - so I feel positive about him and my progress so far.

username123

Ive had a number of different physios for knee problems over the years, a number of different orthopediac surgeons as well.

One of the best things I ever did for my knees was take up swimming. It really helps the brain 'let go' of the knees and stop over guarding them. Pool walking is a good exercise and pool squats rock because the water takes most of the weight but allows the neuromuscular connections to build from the movement. Basic rule of thumb, try pool exercises, do a little the first day, see how you feel later on and judge things from there.

But just moving about and letting your legs dangle in the water will help reprogram the brain and stop it from 'minding' your knees.

Id not take advise from gym instructors, just from your physio.

Sorry to hear of your troubles, I can recommend both a good knee physio and a good knee OS in the dublin area if you ever need a second opinion.

daenerysstormborn3

I'm based in Kilkenny but am fortunate enough that through my job I have access to the best in the country (I work in a litigation practice) so no worries there, thanks for the offer though. (To be honest, if it wasn't for my boss, I'd probably still be waiting for an appointment to see an orthopaedic consultant!)

Yeah my physio and I both think I'm at that point where I'm "minding" my foot and my knees and just being too hesitant but it's a subconscious thing so I'll need a bit of time to get away from that.

I will get advice from my physio about suitable pool exercises.

Thanks for the reply.

username123

pixiebean22 wrote: »

Yeah my physio and I both think I'm at that point where I'm "minding" my foot and my knees and just being too hesitant but it's a subconscious thing so I'll need a bit of time to get away from that.

Yeah guarding is a very annoying mechanism!!! Sometimes simple things can help like vigorous massage of the affected area (just to help desensitise), or something that allows for the correct movement without any joint impact (like a cross trainer for a running movement without the impact).

daenerysstormborn3

I saw my physio again today. I have to return to the Orthopaedic Clinic around the second week of September for further investigations, the physio suspects they may want to operate to shave off/clean up part of my ankle and hopefully alleviate the swelling and the sporadic pain I am still experiencing. I asked my physio today about starting in a gym (mainly for the swimming pool but obviously I may as well use gym equipment while I'm there) and he said it would be a good idea now, as it may help with my ankle between now and my next orthopaedic appointment.

He advised me I should avoid any activity that involves my foot pounding repeatedly so the treadmill is more or less out, he said I can walk on it at a slow pace but nothing more than that. He told me the bike is ideal, and also suggested the cross trainer, the rower and the stepper, as long as I take it easy. So I am planning on 1 hour of swimming (this is rehab rather than designated weight-loss exercise) and 1 hour between the bike, the cross trainer, the rower and the stepper - but which ones are most beneficial? I was planning on doing them all on alternating days, maybe one day do the rower and the cross trainer (15 minutes each) and on another day do the stepper and the bike (15 minutes each), any thoughts on this idea? I am asthmatic so I normally start out keeping it at just one level but after a few weeks I can usually start on interval type programmes.

I have bought 2 6kg kettlebells, a swiss ball, a mat, an aerobic step and a 5kg medicine ball as a sort of "at home" gym until I get sorted with my own transport (have ordered my new bike but probably won't have it for about 2-3 weeks and I live 2.5 hour walk from the gym with no public transport). We already have dumbbells (we have 5kg, 10kg and 15kg), a barbell and a weights bench. How much time per day should I spend using this equipment?

I have been a member of a gym for years, up until the accident I would've considered myself moderately fit, if a little overweight (I had begun losing weight before it happened), I am now unfit and a bit more overweight so I suppose I am really starting from the beginning.

I have checked out Transform's youtube channel and his beginner's exercises. Is there anything I could add to these that would be beneficial to weight loss?

I understand that these questions crop up often but I would really appreciate any advice you can offer.

Oh and I also intend signing up for a Pilates class, beginning every Monday evening in October. I can't find a more conveniently located class so that's why the start date is quite far off. I'm hoping Pilates will help improve on my flexibility after being immobile for so long.

Librium

to answer the original question i would say, most simply, gym staff are not qualified to do anything. at all.

but some of them are very good and will have advice on rehab etc. but others will have awful, so really hard to know.

the advice from 'qualified' physios and consultant ortho's isn't always great either for rehab

username123

pixiebean22 wrote: »

So I am planning on 1 hour of swimming (this is rehab rather than designated weight-loss exercise) and 1 hour between the bike, the cross trainer, the rower and the stepper - but which ones are most beneficial? I was planning on doing them all on alternating days, maybe one day do the rower and the cross trainer and on another day do the stepper and the bike, any thoughts on this idea? I am asthmatic so I normally start out keeping it at just one level but after a few weeks I can usually start on interval type programmes.

This is a huge amount of exercise for someone recovering from injuries!!! Please be careful you dont overdo things and set yourself back!!

Id strongly advise sitting down with your physio and making a structured program of exercise to include the stuff above plus whatever other equipment you have - that way youve a professional who is familiar with your current limitations advising you.

On the pilates, only go with clinical pilates with an instructor who takes under 8 people in a class who is also a physio themselves - loads of joker pilates instructors out there not checking peoples form and people end up seriously injuring themselves or making their compensatory mechanisms stronger as a result!!

If its flexibility you want you should do Yoga, Pilates is about core strength, yoga is about flexibility - but to be honest, its probably too early for you for either - you will only end up injuring yourself further. I gave up Pilates because it was too hard and I kept injuring myself.

daenerysstormborn3

username123 wrote: »

This is a huge amount of exercise for someone recovering from injuries!!! Please be careful you dont overdo things and set yourself back!!

Id strongly advise sitting down with your physio and making a structured program of exercise to include the stuff above plus whatever other equipment you have - that way youve a professional who is familiar with your current limitations advising you.

On the pilates, only go with clinical pilates with an instructor who takes under 8 people in a class who is also a physio themselves - loads of joker pilates instructors out there not checking peoples form and people end up seriously injuring themselves or making their compensatory mechanisms stronger as a result!!

If its flexibility you want you should do Yoga, Pilates is about core strength, yoga is about flexibility - but to be honest, its probably too early for you for either - you will only end up injuring yourself further. I gave up Pilates because it was too hard and I kept injuring myself.

I sat down with the physio (today) and went through a plan with him. He advised me to build up gradually, which I plan to do. Just re-read my post and when I said bike, cross trainer, rower and stepper at 1 hour, I meant 15 minutes each so if I'm doing bike and rower on one day for example, it'd be for 30 minutes with swimming. I'm just wondering which machines are most beneficial.

I am not sure if the Pilates instructor is a clinical pilates instructor, I will find that out before I sign up. I'll look into a yoga class as well.

btkm8unsl0w5r4

the general consensus here is to take professional advice, however I have met many trainers that assume that some years working in a gym make them leading authorities on all things medical, nutritional, surgical and physiotherapy. I have also found that the advice given ,may be in good faith but is generally pseudoscientific rubbish, stuff parroted from paid courses run by marketing gurus rather than actual knowledge and usually leading to the purchase of a pill potion or auxiliary service. There is a large amount of quackery going on in some gyms, stuff that sounds reasonable to the untrained but can be dangerous.

Only take advice on medical matters from properly trained people, I would not take advice on my squat technique from my doctor nor advice on my medical problems form my trainer.

daenerysstormborn3

Lawson Microscopic Multimillionaire wrote: »

Only take advice on medical matters from properly trained people, I would not take advice on my squat technique from my doctor nor advice on my medical problems form my trainer.

That's what my physio said. He helped me put together a plan based on my injuries and gradual increases over time but he said unless I am planning to take up heavy weight lifting (which he advised against given my foot) that a gym instructor or other people qualified to comment would be most suitable to advise me on non-cardio exercise. He said his main concern is any physical activity that involves moving my feet and putting excess pressure on my feet, such as running.

username123

pixiebean22 wrote: »

I sat down with the physio (today) and went through a plan with him. He advised me to build up gradually, which I plan to do. Just re-read my post and when I said bike, cross trainer, rower and stepper at 1 hour, I meant 15 minutes each so if I'm doing bike and rower on one day for example, it'd be for 30 minutes with swimming. I'm just wondering which machines are most beneficial.

I am not sure if the Pilates instructor is a clinical pilates instructor, I will find that out before I sign up. I'll look into a yoga class as well.

Ah, I get you now!
Ive personally found the cross trainer great for lower limb injury rehab, no impact but the correct motions to mimic running. Bike also good. Ive never used the rower or stepper, but if the stepper is what I think it is I think itd be good for you too.

Look into aqua aerobics as well, I know a lot of older ladies do it so it can be seen as an 'old ladies class' but for people recovering from injuries its a great way of supporting the bodyweight but allowing the strengthening movements. Walking the pool is good too, as are pool squats. If you google pool core exercises you will find some good ones to do using things like the foam noodle that will be beneficial for you.

daenerysstormborn3

username123 wrote: »

Ah, I get you now!
Ive personally found the cross trainer great for lower limb injury rehab, no impact but the correct motions to mimic running. Bike also good. Ive never used the rower or stepper, but if the stepper is what I think it is I think itd be good for you too.

Look into aqua aerobics as well, I know a lot of older ladies do it so it can be seen as an 'old ladies class' but for people recovering from injuries its a great way of supporting the bodyweight but allowing the strengthening movements. Walking the pool is good too, as are pool squats. If you google pool core exercises you will find some good ones to do using things like the foam noodle that will be beneficial for you.

Yeah that's what the physio said, same foot movement but less pressure.

I'm going to look into classes at the gym as well, I used to enjoy them. I found a few videos on youtube of exercises I can do in the pool, I asked the physio about them and he said they'd be ideal.

Thanks for advice.

username123

Best of luck in your recovery.

It gets better, I promise!