20 weeks out and a ruptured L4-L5 and L5-S1...no squats/heavy leg work

[YANGSHIM]

I have been doing iso's going against what my doc recommended me to do because I want to compete and come in my best. My legs/glutes have already atrophied and I cannot sacrifice any more loss of mass...

but now I was thinking, should I just take a few months off on legs and just start hitting squats/dl/etc after my back is fixed? or should I keep doing what I'm doing.

damn...I miss squatting. Haven't been able to squat heavy, as a matter of fact haven't been able to hit any heavy lower body compound movements for pretty much an year now...

any advice is appreciated


ONE MORE THING! any advice on cardio? read layne nortons article and it was kind of unclear.I am currently doing 20-30mins of moderate level of the bike machine. I can't walk or run b/c of my back. Lost around 10lbs from 5 weeks of dieting and started at around 18-20% bf. as a guess, I would say I'm around 15-17%. can see my abs in good lighting and have some nice cuts as well on my legs. nothing crazy though. main goal is striated glutes and such


thanks

[ashthorn]

I would avoid the squats and stick to leg exercises which don't aggravate your back. How do you go with leg press?

Also have you looked into Occlusion Training? I injured my Patella Tendon not that long ago and I have found that occlussion training has been a good alternative to going heavy but still stimulate growth or at least maintenance. Check out an article Layne Norton wrote about it a while back here : http://www.ironmanmagazine.com/index.cfm?page=article&go2=1489

[demonwareltd]

Honestly I would ditch the idea of competing until cleared by your doctor. There r shows year round so u can just find one once u r healthy.

I wouldn't mess around with a back injury simply to compete in a show. Work whatever u can as long as there is no risk to additional injury and hang in there until healed.

[YANGSHIM]

I would avoid the squats and stick to leg exercises which don't aggravate your back. How do you go with leg press?

Also have you looked into Occlusion Training? I injured my Patella Tendon not that long ago and I have found that occlussion training has been a good alternative to going heavy but still stimulate growth or at least maintenance. Check out an article Layne Norton wrote about it a while back here : http://www.ironmanmagazine.com/index.cfm?page=article&go2=1489
Leg press is just as bad, if not worse..
occlusion training sounds interesting. I saw Norton and Revelia using them in their vids, will give it a try. thanks

Honestly I would ditch the idea of competing until cleared by your doctor. There r shows year round so u can just find one once u r healthy.

I wouldn't mess around with a back injury simply to compete in a show. Work whatever u can as long as there is no risk to additional injury and hang in there until healed.
..I admit this would be the best choice, but it feels liks such a waste b/c I bulked up for 2 years to one day compete...damn. I was so close too. My insurance is pretty slow, so I gotta ask my doc for some advice as well

thanks for the advice guys