Leg Day Troubles :(

[AJV17]

Basically, I've had the luck of absolutely nothing recently, having had a lower back injury since January this year. Recently, it appears as if I have herniated L2 or L3, having consulted with my doctors, but nothing is sure until a scan. I had been taking pain killers, but since I've started my physio work, I've dialed them down. Anyway, to business, I lifted for 18 months before my injury, and I was at a lean 80-83kg in my prime. Since the injury, from lack of diet and too much boozing, I'm up at 107kg. Now, I lost 3lbs last week on diet alone, and yesterday lifted with my arms (biceps and triceps) and that was fine. Today, was leg day, I mounted the rack with a mere 40kg for squats, did one and had to stop in pain. So instead I settled for 200 hindu squats, which hardly meant I could walk after, but stopped the pain during the exercise. Now I am worried, if this is all I can do on leg days, am I not handicapping my cutting? Or is it just as effective to use my bodyweight on my legs for a cut?

Thanks,
AJV

[ChrisWorrell]

i dont think it will make that huge of a difference, nothing that maybe dropping an extra 100 calories from your diet wouldnt more than make up for

[Cape1]

Originally Posted by AJV17

Basically, I've had the luck of absolutely nothing recently, having had a lower back injury since January this year. Recently, it appears as if I have herniated L2 or L3, having consulted with my doctors, but nothing is sure until a scan. I had been taking pain killers, but since I've started my physio work, I've dialed them down. Anyway, to business, I lifted for 18 months before my injury, and I was at a lean 80-83kg in my prime. Since the injury, from lack of diet and too much boozing, I'm up at 107kg. Now, I lost 3lbs last week on diet alone, and yesterday lifted with my arms (biceps and triceps) and that was fine. Today, was leg day, I mounted the rack with a mere 40kg for squats, did one and had to stop in pain. So instead I settled for 200 hindu squats, which hardly meant I could walk after, but stopped the pain during the exercise. Now I am worried, if this is all I can do on leg days, am I not handicapping my cutting? Or is it just as effective to use my bodyweight on my legs for a cut?

Thanks,
AJV

Ive had back issues as well. You may not want to hear this but you may have to get creative with your leg workouts.

I can no longer do rear squats so I do Front Squats. There is far less Spinal Compression and Torque and due to the necessary form, you're lower and upper back will usually stay in a better allighment. The weight matters only to the extent that it works your legs. EX: in the past I could squat ATG with 405 for 5 reps. If I tried that today, I would leave the gym on a stretcher. HOwever, 3 sets of ATG front squats with 225# for 8-10 and I feel it and my legs have gotten bigger over time.

So hope is not lost so don't push it. Unless you're a College Lineman or a power lifter or something along those lines, it is not worth taking the added injury risk. For fitness or even bodybuilding, Rear squats are not necesary.

[sni2pal]

I have a lower back injury as well but it's not bad enough to prevent me from squatting.

You could try split squats.