Spondylitis Association of America Forums General Discussion Men Only Message Board Do any of you guys work out with weights?

If so, any limitations? Personally, I do squats only using vertical leverage machine, and when I do bench press, I have to have something under my head to fill the gap my neck imposes.

Yea, I do a lot of weights, although not anything heavy with an affected joint. I would be careful with squats as improper form can really screw up your back, deadlifts too (and your hips with deadlifts). However, done properly they are very good for you. Id suggest wearing a weightbelt tight when you do them to make sure your back stays straight, and going for lower weight and more range of motion (take off like 1/3 the weight and go deeper down, remember to be careful with that form!)

I hired a professional trainer about 2 years ago. he respects and has learned about my limitations. we train upper, legs back and core on various days. I cannot do significant lifts above my head from a sitting position so we decrease the weight. I have gone from 246 to 212 and the cute nurses I work with say I look "hot".

They made me laugh and made my day.

Id also highly recommend body weight exercises (pull ups, pushups, etc etc). Very good for you! Plus theres many diff types of each (pullups, chinups, widegrip, etc, pushups on bars, etc etc)

My doc would rather have me spend time stretching than strength training, which I know the importance of that. But I must continue strength training for various reasons. The vertical leverage squat machine I mentioned has a firm cushion back support, which really eliminates using back during the motion. I worked up to 410 lbs today! Bench press has always been a struggle, and is made more difficult due to spine/neck. I have also mentioned on a post in "General" section about recent elbow pains. That has complicated everything requiring bending of elbows. That really sucks!

You should stop doing assisted squats, they are not good for you. Any machine like that is designed to minimize back injury, but at the same time the 'assistance' is mimizing your workout and only targeting certain muscles. There is no balance involved. Half of the benefit of the squat comes from this. I would seriously consider significantly lowering the weight and doing free squats with PROPER (have someone show you) technique with a weight belt. This will be much better for you, make you stronger faster, build more muscle in more places, and put LESS stress on your joints as you will likely be doing much, much less weight.

As for stretching though, you should def do plenty of that!!!

Any good routines you can recommend? My neck is real stiff and my right shoulder has bursitis and tendonitis. I am weak...and terribly skinny...I look horrible...

My suggestion would be check with your doctor and see if training is appropriate for you given your situation bookreader.

Yea, if your shoulder is bad it is difficult to do many exercises. Perhaps you should start with Yoga

I do a quick routine every morning (since about 10th grade...I'm 42 now) of combined stretching along w/ situps, pushups and chinups. This is great to keep up w/ flexibility and general muscle tone.

From fall to spring I work out on a cheap universal gym in my basement. Not anything w/ any great weight but, it's enough to do a decent work out, get the blood flowing and build/tone muscle.

The part that I find the most beneficial though, is how much it benefits me mentally. Throwing in a Ramones or Social Distortion CD and getting the blood flowing for 45-60 minutes is the best thing that I've found for keeping a positive outlook. And for me, keeping the spirits up goes a LONG way for managing/tolerating symptoms.

It lets me feel like I'm in control of my body and not that my body is in control of me.