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jacques1

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Dec 31, 2008
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okay I am here goes.
I am 7 weeks after surgery. I hace two more PT sessions and as far as I know I am finished. My PT said I could join a gym. So,today I went to
one of the Goode Life Fitness centres and joined . I am going back tomorrow for orientation. The girl did show me some of the machines that would help me as I told her about my knee. I am 57. I have bee prettu inactive for quite a long period of time. They did tell me that I could get out of my contract with a Dr's letter.

My question, what do you think.

deb
 
Deb...I'm sure someone with better knowledge of gyms will be able to help you. But the first thing that comes to my mind is:

Is there anyone there with appropriate and adequate training to help you use the equipment so that you don't hurt yourself?

If not, and if it were me, I'd probably cancel and look for another gym.

Where I live, some physical therapy companies have well-stocked gyms that anyone can join (and the cost is usually lower than a "regular" gym). The best part is that the staff there have the training to help you recover without causing damage. Its not like a PT appointment, but they answer questions and intervene if you're using a machine incorrectly. I belonged to one for a few years a while back, and it was only $15 a month for up to 3x a week. What a steal! No contract either, just pay as you go.

Weezy
 
If your therapist thinks that you need to continue with therapy they should indicate this to the doctor. 1 month is the very minimum that most people need. I went to 5 months of therapy on my '07 LTKR. Hopefully this new attempt will not require that much.

Additionally, you will almost certainly find that you can do the exercises on your own if you want to. The drawback is lack of supervision may lead to doing them improperly or not enough.

TC
 
Thanks for the input.
I think it is a well run gym. They do have personal trainers if needed. Maybe I should consider that option. I know I can do all the upper body. My ROM is 108 and flex -5.
Notn the greatest but I feel I can do more than before because the pain is not as bad.

deb
 
Jacques, I think you just need to be very careful when using the machines. I too go to a gym and have a personal trainer. I am at one year out and she just now started me on some leg machines again. Prior to this, she has had me walking (frontwards, backwards and sideways) around the track and doing exercises on one leg to build the muscles and balance without the strain of using a machine. I also ride the stationary bike for about 15 minutes at each visit. We've had to alter the workouts over the past 3 months because when I first started, my leg would swell after just a little extra activity. Gradually it has gotten better.

So my advice would be to use a trainer if you can to be sure you use any machines correctly. Start VERY slow and use very little weight or resistance until you are sure your leg can take it without swelling. Spend at least some time working on balance too....it builds the muscles without putting a lot of strain on your new joint.
 
Deb.....Listen to Jamie! Any reputable gym can offer you a trial period to see of you even like it! :)
 
Careful at the gyms as well. Personal trainers are er....well....not so tuned in to injuries. GoodLife is a business and does very well, but the personal trainers are there to SELL the gym and keep you as a member. Cycle (good for ROM), Leg press machine (great for quads) and all the other stuff for core and upper body is great. Stay away from running on the treadmill (commercial treads have a suspension system that will damage your joints), although walking at elevation is good, good for the quads as well. Be careful putting your trust in personal trainers.

I design fitness machines and own this company: My company: broken link removed: https://www.redzonefitness.com
 
Good points, execk2.....my trainer is VERY tuned in to injury recovery, but I think that is not always the case. The main benefit for someone like Jacques would be that a trainer would be sure the machines are not used incorrectly. That would be my biggest concern for someone who was not a gym regular.
 
I am 5 weeks out from RTKR and am back at my gym for upper body and my OK left leg, plus bike, elliptical trainer, and walking on the treadmill. My PT will - I'm told - continue through the 3 month mark. My gym gives everyone 4 or 5 free sessions with a personal trainer. That makes sure you are comfortable with the machines and with some of the Pilates equipment which is good for balance and core training. The bottom line for someone like you Jacque1 is to go slow, as Jamie said, and be sure you are doing only what you can at first. But you have to be somewhat aggressive or you won't build strength. The balance exercises which you can do yourself (and your PT has probably been doing with you) are very important. Also abdominals which are hard for people who haven't been doing them. But crucial to core strength. Which is crucial to balance, standing and walking correctly. I would actually look for a gym that is oriented toward helping new exercisers. any gym with decent and decently maintained equipment and free weights will do for long-time users. But new people need help and encouragement and supervision. If you can afford a personal trainer and you can find a good one who understands your situation -- go for it. I got into weight training after my ACL repair 25 years ago -- when my health insurance paid for a personal trainer for 6 months in lieu of more PT. YOur PT might also give you a series of exercises for balance etc to do at the gym. And ways to keep pushing your knee to increase ROM (which also involves stretching quad musicles) But no matter what you do, the most important thing is consistency and doing it correctly. And without either a friend to work out with you or a personal trainer, you may be tempted to let the exercise slide. Which you just can't do!!! And if you CAN get more PT out of your insurance company -- go for it! Problem is insurance companies see PT as a deep black expensive hole and don't realize how much most people need it for something as serious as a knee replacement. Good luck and I hope you turn into a regular gym rat like me!!! You'll feel so much better!
Stephani
 
Thanks to everyone once again. I wish I had advice to give to others as well. I guess that will come in time. I am sorry I didn't put more thought into such a big thing. I am going tomorrow for the orientation, which I should have done first, and request or insist(I am not very assertive, but that is a different problem) on advice from a personal trainer. I go back to PT Monday and I am going to get a list of machines/equipment I could use for my knee. I was shown 3 today. I am realizing I am very impulsive. I guess you are never to old to learn

deb
 
Deb, sounds like you are taking the correct approach! Good for you. You ARE being careful and that's what's important.
 
Hi Deb. We really are on the same page. I joined Good Life this afternoon! My PT suggested I use a gym to continue my rehab as my last PT session (unless I want to pay for private sessions somewhere else) is tomorrow. She suggested I ride the stationary bike but not to use the treadmill. I'm going to ask her about the elliptical tomorrow. I'm to continue using the leg press as I do in physio and some of the other leg machines. There's some of the same balance equipment I'm used to using, like the Boscu (sp?) ball. My orientation is Saturday but I went today to ride the bike and check things out on my own. I'm taking it easy and being careful but I know this is the right thing to do, even if I'm only there for 45 min.

I checked the qualifications of the personal trainers on the posters they have on the wall (your club will have the same) and found one who has good qualifications and does rehab so I'll consider doing some sessions with him. He currently has someone who had a bilateral.

I will still have to do some of the exercises I'm used to doing at home but I really need access to the strengthening machines and to keep my motivation up.

Thanks for the good advice Execk2.

Mag
 
Thanks Jamie and Maggie
I fully intend to go slow because I cant get any other speed yet. I will get back to you all after my first experience

deb
 
Well I went to the gym this morning and I think I am going to feel good about it. There was only a couple of things I can't do right now. I have registered for a private trainer starting monday. I am excited.

deb
 
Hello,
Today was my last pt after bilateral tkr Dec. 9. I joined the gym that is next to my pt, and my physical therapist gave me a tour and recommended the things I should do, and the things to avoid. In addition, I will be getting several free sessions with the trainer who is most knowledgeable about surgery recovery. I feel pretty good about all this, and have been already using the bike for 4 miles a day. I was told by my pt to avoid the treadmill, but the elliptical is good. Good luck to you!
 
Good luck Deb at the new gym . Glad you're starting off with a personal trainer!!! That's a big plus!!
 
Just take it very SLOW, Deb,,,& take some Advil or other anti inflammatory before you start training!!! :)
 
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