Squats

[Sandbag]

Hey all, I have been lurking in the forums
for a while and posting in sex and misc for fun.

My question is about squats. I had low back
surgery about two years ago and probably
have a bulging disc right now. I have managed
well. The only exercise that hurts me is squats.
Right now I do the bar becuase I can safely squat
it with out bothering my back but it doesn't do much
for me.

Should I continue to work with the weight
I'm at or move on to separate exercises.

I'm comfortable on both extensions and Ham curls.

Which excersises should I do to replace the squat.

[TwoWalks]

Originally posted by Sandbag
Hey all, I have been lurking in the forums
for a while and posting in sex and misc for fun.

My question is about squats. I had low back
surgery about two years ago and probably
have a bulging disc right now. I have managed
well. The only exercise that hurts me is squats.
Right now I do the bar becuase I can safely squat
it with out bothering my back but it doesn't do much
for me.

Should I continue to work with the weight
I'm at or move on to separate exercises.

I'm comfortable on both extensions and Ham curls.

Which excersises should I do to replace the squat.

Sandbag, welcome

There probably is no really good substitute for squats. Now with that out in the open, back injuries or any other type injury is not good either. As far as the squats: Continue with just the bar and then begin to add (very slowly) slight weights, such as 5#'s for a while. Keep close tabs on the small of the back and do not allow it to become inflamed or increase any spinel problems. Do not view squats at this time as a leg exercise but as a way to strengthen the supporting muscle of the back. You might also want to throw in good mornings to also aid in this. Now for the legs themselves, add Lunges - leg extensions - leg curls, if working out at a gym you should also use the leg press machine.

Have you tried doing squats using dumbells to see if this would put less strain on the spine?

[Sandbag]

No. But that sounds like decent option.
Except I have trouble doing shrugs for the same
reason. My shoulders are strong enough
to do 100# in each hand but my back doesn't like it.

The good news is: My back is getting much stronger.
I feel like my workouts are doing more good than harm.
Eventually the discs will heal and everything will be normal.

What are good mornings?

[MiloMan]

Have you seen an ortho specialist about the disk trouble?

[TwoWalks]

Originally posted by Sandbag


What are good mornings?

Check out this discription:

http://www.betterbodz.com/hamstrings/good_mornings.html

Like the squats, start out low and work up slowly.

[phikappa]

Which disk is bothering you? Is it cervical, thoracic or lumbar?

There are two problems I constantly see when people are squatting. #1 - Their toes are not in alignment with their knees. And #2 - They are carrying the bar in the wrong position. The bar should be sitting on top of your shoulder blades and NOT at the base of the neck. This is below where most people carry the bar. If you're carrying it higher, this may be contributing to your problem.

[hbk3]

I am an expert here, i have scoliosis curvature of the spine and bulging discs and sciatica pain fibromylgia. not from heavy lifting just bad genetics i guess. lifting heavy makes me feel better, my choice is box squats on the smith machine yes it is easier but if you put enough weight on it gets real hard. i was doing 480 on it the other night for 3 sets 4 reps. i just keep my back flat and neutral most squatters bend and use the back alot not me just quads and hams.wear a belt and do not go to the floor if you do your back will round out and push on your vertabras. lift like this or give up squats , i have to buy loose fit jeans for my legs now the straight cut levis cut the circulation off to my quads. lift heavy take glucosamine,chondroitin,msm, and call me in the morning.

[Sandbag]

Yes, I have seen an ortho... hence the surgery.
The surgery was on L4-L5. The trouble
is now with the discs above and below.

HBK3,
Thanks for your input. I was hoping to hear
from somebody with similar experience.
I find that weighted back extensions on the
roman chair actually make it feel better. I start
every workout with those and it makes my
workouts great. I'll try the box squats.

I was definately looking for excercise alternatives
that are similar to squats so I can still get
the benifit of a combo lift.

[Dummer]

Originally posted by hbk3
my choice is box squats on the smith machine yes it is easier but if you put enough weight on it gets real hard. i was doing 480 on it the other night for 3 sets 4 reps. i just keep my back flat and neutral most squatters bend and use the back alot not me just quads and hams.wear a belt and do not go to the floor if you do your back will round out and push on your vertabras.

Welcome Sandbag !
I was going to suggest to use the smith machine also. This way you can keep you back straight and won't put the extra stress on the lower back. Just go easy and take your time. Good luck.

[WH-TH]

Originally posted by Dummer
Welcome Sandbag !
I was going to suggest to use the smith machine also. This way you can keep you back straight and won't put the extra stress on the lower back. Just go easy and take your time. Good luck.

I liked the Smith machines when I was lifting. I also used a special squat rack/machine at a gym in Columbus. It was WONDERFUL. The arm movement was in such a way that it was not a constant radius, but specifically tracked your nature movements going down ... and prevented you from using bad form. Don't know who made it, but it was great.

[hbk3]

sometimes i use a hammer strength v-squat do box squats and i can load all the plates on 12-45 pound plates with rubber bumpers off and have people stand on it with dumbells in there hands . the machines starting weight is 60 pounds plus the 45,s and two guys on it with dumbells it gets heavy and leaves bruises on my shoulders . the weight is close to 1000 pounds and does not hurt my back.

[Sandbag]

Originally posted by hbk3
sometimes i use a hammer strength v-squat do box squats and i can load all the plates on 12-45 pound plates with rubber bumpers off and have people stand on it with dumbells in there hands . the machines starting weight is 60 pounds plus the 45,s and two guys on it with dumbells it gets heavy and leaves bruises on my shoulders . the weight is close to 1000 pounds and does not hurt my back.

Oh. Yeah, I'll try that too.

Big help!

[hbk3]

anytime you have back surgery they either clip the bulging discs or fuse the bone but the vertebras in the lumbar area are the largest and carry the most weight. the problem with this is that it buys time the smaller weaker discs above give out sooner then you are worse off again . the last 17 years i have contemplated surgery then back away from it . this guy i know he looks like the wrestler king kong bundy he just had a neuro surgeon operate on his back and he said they put a disc out of a cadiver in him he was back working 3 weeks later and says he feels great. i did not know they could put discs in, someone with more knowledge then me might elaborate.

[Beachboy]

Welcome!

I too, have had the same surgery at L-4 / L-5, about 20 months ago. Mine was to remove a big chunk of disc that I had sheared off and it had fallen and was blocking / pressing on a nerve junction.
I now use the Smith machine for squats, but prior to that I would use a Swiss ball between my back and the wall and use dumbbells held at the full extension of my arms (hip level) and do my squats. For me it produced a lot less stress and still worked my quads.

[Charger]

There is no replacement for the squat, I would add weight very slowly, work on abs and lower back strength, goodmornings are a great lower back exercise.
A sub?? reverse lunges hit the quads and hams pretty good.