Exercising while NWB?
 

Hi all,

What are you doing to maintain some modicum of fitness while NWB? Is it a good or bad idea to try something?

Today I decided to tackle my octane seated elliptical machine with my foot propped up and resting, so my arms and good leg got the workout. 10 minutes lowest level was all I allowed myself to see what happens. Toes are a little purple but not at all painful.

Re: Exercising while NWB?
 

I've been thinking about this too. My whole workout routine is going to have to change as running was my main go-to for cardio pre-surgery and I'd like to start to ease back into some type of routine adding on to it as I can. I don't really enjoy the elliptical or bike as much as running, but I think it's going to be my best option. I've been riding the bike for a few minutes to warm up at PT and it feels great, so I was thinking of asking my PT today if I can try this at the gym and see how it feels. I'd love to get into something more (e.g., strength) but not sure what's ok for me to do. I feel like such a slug since I haven't been able to work out for the 10 weeks before surgery, never mind the months before that when I was in too much pain to work out.

I tried to at first but it wore me out. I ended up just opting to worry about healing. This was hard since I was so fit prior to all of this and was getting fit back on this summer after surgery #1...

I'll start up again as I'm cleared to... I wish you luck!

Re: Exercising while NWB?
 

I've done a group strength training class for a couple years, started prior to acquiring the ankle from hell. The trainer at the gym & I have worked out pretty good PWB adjustments to his standard workouts to deal with my repeated sprains. Generally, I end up doing lots of abs :(. Somewhere below the thick layer of blubber there are abs of steel. Last night I tried some modifications to see if I can do stuff NWB. I think I'm going to have to plan on waiting until I get to PWB. Doing stuff on an exercise ball with one leg up is a little scary (but a darn good workout).

Re: Exercising while NWB?
 

I have been making an effort to go up and down the stairs in my house more because that flexion is really what I have the farthest to go with and I swear that alone feels like a workout right now! I was practicing "walking" at PT yesterday (getting all of my toes down the right way) and I practically broke a sweat doing that! My body had a loonnngg way to go once I can get back to actually working out!