Need help with weight lifting and my TRT

[yannick35]

First off i got my paper for blood testing, went to get it at the doc office today

all of it testosterone , E2, PST and the whole thing also iron level and more.

I started to lift heavy and my bench is back up to 200 pounds, i can leg press 5 plates on each sides and more.

But i don't think its the right way to do it, and i also fear that when i get off the deca i will suffer even more.

What type of training do you guys do? i am looking into germain volume training where you lift half the weight and do like 10 sets of an exercise. And also Vince Gironda 8 X 8.

I have been reading a lot of articles on the older athlete and lifting heavy, and the fear to re-injure myself is there.

Also with prolotherapy if i lift too heavy i will re-injure the ligament that is being repaired?

Thanks guys

[SEOINAGE]

yeah I dunno, I like 5x5 work outs and westside variation powerlifting routines personally. If anything I would lift for function if possible, i even do a fair amount of body weight work. some of those routines you mentioned just sound like mass builder programs, imo it should be more about well being than just looks.

[yannick35]

yeah I dunno, I like 5x5 work outs and westside variation powerlifting routines personally. If anything I would lift for function if possible, i even do a fair amount of body weight work. some of those routines you mentioned just sound like mass builder programs, imo it should be more about well being than just looks.

Yes i cannot do powerlifting moves anymore since back injury like squatting and deadlifting.

[SEOINAGE]

See I have a different view, how many powerlifters experience major injuries and are able to recover and get back to it. I had a minor back injury that i babied for years, didn't do proper squats or touch a deadlift, my back still gives me some grief today, but it was when i started doing deadlifts and proper squats and putting more effort in to my back that it got stronger, and if i train it it is far less painful. Depending on the injury I think it is possible to rehab and strengthen your back over time to be able to handle these things and improve your life dramatically.

[APIs]

I started to lift heavy and my bench is back up to 200 pounds, i can leg press 5 plates on each sides and more.

But i don't think its the right way to do it, and i also fear that when i get off the deca i will suffer even more.

What type of training do you guys do? i am looking into germain volume training where you lift half the weight and do like 10 sets of an exercise. And also Vince Gironda 8 X 8. I have been reading a lot of articles on the older athlete and lifting heavy, and the fear to re-injure myself is there.

Just like TRT, IMO this is very individual depending on age, experience, strength level & desired goals. I'm 45 and lift heavy 5 days per week. Most days I work up to lifting at 85% of max on every exercise, but this is what I like to do. I usually do 4-5 sets per exercise @ 10-15 reps each. I've been training for the past 10 years straight and have experienced my fair share of injuries requiring reconstructive surgery on multiple body parts. The last 4 years I've been injury free by following some basic common sense rules. I use strict & correct form. I do my reps in a controlled manner. I don't throw or jerk the weight during reps. I train a given muscle group only once per week. And most important, I listen to what my body is telling me. If I do suffer the occasional pain or pull, I back off on that body part & allow it to heal. Just like learning how TRT works, we also need to educate ourselves on lifting weights correctly. There are plenty of good books out there. I always refer back to "Getting Stronger by Bill Pearl" for new routines, exercises etc. Another valuable tool is simply watching other people in the gym. Remain teachable & see what routines & exercises other people are doing. I cant tell you how many great exercises I've found by watching other, experienced gym-rats. Good luck...

[bass]

Just like TRT, IMO this is very individual depending on age, experience, strength level & desired goals. I'm 45 and lift heavy 5 days per week. Most days I work up to lifting at 85% of max on every exercise, but this is what I like to do. I usually do 4-5 sets per exercise @ 10-15 reps each. I've been training for the past 10 years straight and have experienced my fair share of injuries requiring reconstructive surgery on multiple body parts. The last 4 years I've been injury free by following some basic common sense rules. I use strict & correct form. I do my reps in a controlled manner. I don't throw or jerk the weight during reps. I train a given muscle group only once per week. And most important, I listen to what my body is telling me. If I do suffer the occasional pain or pull, I back off on that body part & allow it to heal. Just like learning how TRT works, we also need to educate ourselves on lifting weights correctly. There are plenty of good books out there. I always refer back to "Getting Stronger by Bill Pearl" for new routines, exercises etc. Another valuable tool is simply watching other people in the gym. Remain teachable & see what routines & exercises other people are doing. I cant tell you how many great exercises I've found by watching other, experienced gym-rats. Good luck...

you hit the nail on the head! it took me a while and few injuries to get to this point which is exactly what you are doing now.

Yannick, watch the pros on youtube, sometimes seeing is more reveling than reading. my favorite videos are the muscletech channel. like API said the key to growing and preventing injuries is proper from, don't worry about how heavy or light the weights are, pay attention to your form. you want to fail on 10-12 reps to grow, and remember you're not Johnny Jackson, Jay Cutler, Phil Heath and the rest of the BB pros, you're a beginner, so lift like a beginner! good luck...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwM3TYjd52E

[zaggahamma]

great advice from api and bass

[yannick35]

you hit the nail on the head! it took me a while and few injuries to get to this point which is exactly what you are doing now.

Yannick, watch the pros on youtube, sometimes seeing is more reveling than reading. my favorite videos are the muscletech channel. like API said the key to growing and preventing injuries is proper from, don't worry about how heavy or light the weights are, pay attention to your form. you want to fail on 10-12 reps to grow, and remember you're not Johnny Jackson, Jay Cutler, Phil Heath and the rest of the BB pros, you're a beginner, so lift like a beginner! good luck...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwM3TYjd52E

Thanks everyone, i have been lifting for almost 25 years so i am far from being a beginner but i am scared to re injure myself, after almost 8 years of my pelvic getting unaligned and 2 years that its been good, but still some issues with ligaments, i don't want to risk anything doing deadlifts and squats.

I will look into your link bass thanks a lot of this, i also want to look into conditional training, there are videos of sylvester stallone training at 62 he looks amazing.

I rather go the Vince Gironda 8 X 8 or GVT and lift moderate weight with good forms then blow up a shoulder or anything else.

[yannick35]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mprlzseoCRo stallone training 62

[yannick35]

also this video sort of opened my eyes on things.

http://videos.bodybuilding.com/watch...ning-and-aging

[zaggahamma]

stallone loves the GH too

yes amazing for 60 something

[APIs]

also this video sort of opened my eyes on things.

http://videos.bodybuilding.com/watch...ning-and-aging

Very solid, practical advice...

[bass]

also this video sort of opened my eyes on things.

http://videos.bodybuilding.com/watch...ning-and-aging

Ric is spot on!

[yannick35]

Very solid, practical advice...

You see guys this is the reason i decided to back down, i am only 39, and right now with the steroids i can really push myself, i am almost never tired and filled with energy, but when my 20 week cycle is done and i am back on regular TRT i want to have fix issues not made them worst.

[yannick35]

stallone loves the GH too

yes amazing for 60 something

Well once you discover how amazing testosterone and other steroid can improve your quality of life why not, small price to pay to pin yourself once a week i say.

[yannick35]

I have always been a fan of the 8 X 8 by Vince Gironda, of course i don't do the whole thing, 3 exercises of 8 sets each for biceps is too much, i kill them in one set of 8.

I have done 8 X 8 in the past and the pump is insane and there is some good fat burning too:

Here is a sample of the program:

DAY 1
Chest
Decline low cable crossover (touch hands at waistline) 8 X 8
Bench press to neck 8 X 8
Incline Dumbbell Press (palms facing each other) 8 X 8
Wide Grip V-Bar Dips 8 X 8
Biceps
Drag Curl 8 X 8
Preacher curl (top of bench at low pec line) 8 X 8
Incline Dumbbell Curl 8 X 8
Forearms
Zottman Curl 8 X 8
Barbell Wrist Curl 8 X 8

DAY 2
Shoulders
Dumbbell Side Lateral raise seated 8 X 8
Wide Grip upright row 8 X 8
Front to back barbell shoulder press 8 X 8
Dumbbell bent over rear deltoid lateral 8 X 8
Triceps
Kneeling rope extension 8 X 8
Lying Tricep Extension 8 X 8
2 Dumbbell Tricep Kickback 8 X 8

DAY 3
Back
Sternum Chin up 8 X 8
High bench two dumbbell rowing 8 X 8
Low cable row with 18″ high pulley 8 X 8
Medium Grip Lat Pulldown to Chest 8 X 8
Abs
Double Crunch (pull in knees and elbows together at same time) 8 X 8
Weighted Crunch 8 X 8
Lying Bent Knee Leg Raises 8 X 8

DAY 4
Quads
Front Squat 8 X 8
Hack machine squat 8 X 8
Sissy Squat 8 X 8
Leg Extension 8 X 8
Hamstrings
Supine Leg Curl 8 X 8
Seated leg Curl machine 8 X 8
Calves Standing Calf raise 8 X 20
Seated Calf raise 8 X 20

But like i said i modified it for my needs, i do 3 exercises for big muscles and usually 2 for small ones except the shoulders, i don't squat and i don't deadlift either, and i don't kill myself on the bench press.

[zaggahamma]

squats are tough for me as well but i still do em light...deads are well deadly to me

[Bigfoot66]

I thought it was just me who struggled with traditional squats and deadlifts.

I have always been a fan of the 8 X 8 by Vince Gironda, of course i don't do the whole thing, 3 exercises of 8 sets each for biceps is too much, i kill them in one set of 8.

I have done 8 X 8 in the past and the pump is insane and there is some good fat burning too:

Here is a sample of the program:

DAY 1
Chest
Decline low cable crossover (touch hands at waistline) 8 X 8
Bench press to neck 8 X 8
Incline Dumbbell Press (palms facing each other) 8 X 8
Wide Grip V-Bar Dips 8 X 8
Biceps
Drag Curl 8 X 8
Preacher curl (top of bench at low pec line) 8 X 8
Incline Dumbbell Curl 8 X 8
Forearms
Zottman Curl 8 X 8
Barbell Wrist Curl 8 X 8

DAY 2
Shoulders
Dumbbell Side Lateral raise seated 8 X 8
Wide Grip upright row 8 X 8
Front to back barbell shoulder press 8 X 8
Dumbbell bent over rear deltoid lateral 8 X 8
Triceps
Kneeling rope extension 8 X 8
Lying Tricep Extension 8 X 8
2 Dumbbell Tricep Kickback 8 X 8

DAY 3
Back
Sternum Chin up 8 X 8
High bench two dumbbell rowing 8 X 8
Low cable row with 18″ high pulley 8 X 8
Medium Grip Lat Pulldown to Chest 8 X 8
Abs
Double Crunch (pull in knees and elbows together at same time) 8 X 8
Weighted Crunch 8 X 8
Lying Bent Knee Leg Raises 8 X 8

DAY 4
Quads
Front Squat 8 X 8
Hack machine squat 8 X 8
Sissy Squat 8 X 8
Leg Extension 8 X 8
Hamstrings
Supine Leg Curl 8 X 8
Seated leg Curl machine 8 X 8
Calves Standing Calf raise 8 X 20
Seated Calf raise 8 X 20

But like i said i modified it for my needs, i do 3 exercises for big muscles and usually 2 for small ones except the shoulders, i don't squat and i don't deadlift either, and i don't kill myself on the bench press.

[yannick35]

Squatting will place enormous pressure on the spinal discs and in time yes it can cause a hernia, i have heard this many many times from sport doctors, physio and a lot more. My current medical doctor has more lower back hernia in people who do squats and deadlifts, they rank first then its the paramedic because they do a lot of twist and turn in there jobs, then its skiing.

Great advise given to me here once more, when getting older its feeling good that counts. I am not saying that older men cannot lift heavy weights or do maximum squats with maximum weights, i am just one of them who is not ready to pay the price later in life with a broken back and broken knees and more.

Put it this way if i don't feel going doing it i just don't do it.

[bass]

stay away from squats, i been crippled for 6 weeks and still can't do shit because of it. never again!

[kelkel]

Proper form, proper form. Any exercise can hurt you if done wrong. My old ars still loves heavy squats!

What happenned to you Bass? You get hurt?

[Black]

stay away from squats, i been crippled for 6 weeks and still can't do shit because of it. never again!

Poor advice. This is because you don't know how to properly squat. Please don't try and steer other people away from one of the most beneficial and fundamental weightlifting/bodybuilding exercises.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with doing squats. Like Kel said, it's all about form. Don't load up the bar and lift with your ego, use light weight while practicing the exercise. Don't let your knees go over your toes and/or lift with your lower back in the bottom position.

[Bigfoot66]

BASS...what regiment do u use for lower body in place?

QUOTE=bass;5865730]stay away from squats, i been crippled for 6 weeks and still can't do shit because of it. never again![/QUOTE]

[jamotech]

Poor advice. This is because you don't know how to properly squat. Please don't try and steer other people away from one of the most beneficial and fundamental weightlifting/bodybuilding exercises.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with doing squats. Like Kel said, it's all about form. Don't load up the bar and lift with your ego, use light weight while practicing the exercise. Don't let your knees go over your toes and/or lift with your lower back in the bottom position.

The op has seroius hip problems, its actually good advice.

[yannick35]

The op has seroius hip problems, its actually good advice.

Right on bro, squatting and deadlifting are dangerous even if done right, i am not the one saying it, been around with chronic pains for 10 years back in time i would never ever do theses exercises and would never have gotten injured.

All back specialist that i have seen, orthopedist, chiropractors and more say it TOO MUCH PRESSURE IS PUT ON THE SPINE.

Still i respect any one of you who wants to still do theses exercises.

Bass bro i really hope you get better.

[Black]

The op has seroius hip problems, its actually good advice.

Wow, really? So bending over and picking up a pencil is off limits as well? How about tying your shoes? I take it that sitting down on the toilet requires an alternative then. Would one have to stand and poop? But he works out right? So what if there is a dumbbell on the ground that he wants to do curls with. Does he ask someone to pick it up for him?

[bass]

Wow, really? So bending over and picking up a pencil is off limits as well? How about tying your shoes? I take it that sitting down on the toilet requires an alternative then. Would one have to stand and poop? But he works out right? So what if there is a dumbbell on the ground that he wants to do curls with. Does he ask someone to pick it up for him?

you been here since 2009 i am surprised at your reaction to my advice. did you know Ronnie Coleman had three serious back operation? do you really want some one like Yannick or myself to take that chance? at least Ronnie Coleman had a reason to do it, whats our reason? no sir, if i didn't know any better i wouldn't give advice. i repeat, at our age and after few injuries its not advisable to put any weights on your shoulders and do squats. its one thing to be in good shape and do it, but its quite another to do it when you have been injured previously.

BTW, tomorrow i am going to do MRI on both of my shoulders, and if my back doesn't get any better i'll do MRI as well.

[zaggahamma]

first time i heard hip issues from squatting but experience it myself....even when i use light weight and use perfect form i feel some slight pain in the hips...i do squats every other week still but last set might be 240 or 260 ...legs wont ever be huge but like the exercise

[yannick35]

you been here since 2009 i am surprised at your reaction to my advice. did you know Ronnie Coleman had three serious back operation? do you really want some one like Yannick or myself to take that chance? at least Ronnie Coleman had a reason to do it, whats our reason? no sir, if i didn't know any better i wouldn't give advice. i repeat, at our age and after few injuries its not advisable to put any weights on your shoulders and do squats. its one thing to be in good shape and do it, but its quite another to do it when you have been injured previously.

BTW, tomorrow i am going to do MRI on both of my shoulders, and if my back doesn't get any better i'll do MRI as well.

Bass don't waste calories typing this people like Dante Diamond are sucked in and believe that there lives depend on squatting and deadlifting.

I got injured because i listen to internet advise by a guy named Keith Wassung a powerlifter that told me if i wanted to get bigger and not use steroids i need to do the HIT program

2 sets of 8 to absolute failure on each

squat
deadlift
bentrows
chins
bench press
military press
bb curls

Before that i was boxing, doing lots of cardio and tae bo (was single lots of sexy women in there) i was into martial arts and wrestling. I started doing this and after 6 months i injured myself, i was suffering true this, but continued to the advise of Wassung, today i regret every minute of it because i got chronic pains out of it.

http://videos.bodybuilding.com/watch...ning-and-aging check this video Rics is spot on what he says in this video.

In fact i am thinking of going back to some P90X type of workout challenging my body without putting to much stress on it, and P90X is insane for weight loss and covers every part of the physical aspect, i feel that this is the only infomercial that was not a gimmick this insanity and the billy blanks tae bo dvds.

[kelkel]

If injured by any exercise then proper diagnosis, rest and rehab is the key. If rehab gets you back to the point where you can start that exercise again, if that is your goal, then so be it. If not, alternatives do exist. I know several bodybuilder friends who never squat but live on the leg press and other ancilllaries. It works for them and to each his own. Main point is your in the gym doing some type of resistance training.

When it comes to squats injuring more people? I've never really agreed with that personally. But it is a whole body exercise so with more moving parts there are more things to potentially hurt. Couple that with improper form and the risk level elevates. Injuries happen in this sport, even with good form and to the experts like Bass referenced. In my experience I've seen far more shoulder injuries from pressing movements due to the mechanics of the shoulder, than anything else.

My point is, most of us here are not kids anymore. Resistance training should be a part of a healthy lifestyle. If there's an exercise you dislike, odds are you won't perform it well either due to that predisposition or maybe a mechanical disadvantage. Just find one you like and hit it hard! You have to like what you do, if not odds are you'll quit. My .02 anyway......

[Black]

you been here since 2009 i am surprised at your reaction to my advice. did you know Ronnie Coleman had three serious back operation? do you really want some one like Yannick or myself to take that chance? at least Ronnie Coleman had a reason to do it, whats our reason? no sir, if i didn't know any better i wouldn't give advice. i repeat, at our age and after few injuries its not advisable to put any weights on your shoulders and do squats. its one thing to be in good shape and do it, but its quite another to do it when you have been injured previously.

BTW, tomorrow i am going to do MRI on both of my shoulders, and if my back doesn't get any better i'll do MRI as well.

I thought my previous post was straight to the point. Apparently I'll have to go into greater detail. At what point did I say you had to squat or deadlift enormous amounts of weight? In fact, when did I say you had to use any weight at all?

You are injured because of lack of exercise knowledge. Just because you sacrificed form for ego in the past, doesn't give you the right to blame squats and deadlifts for your injuries. These are fundamental exercises for basic strength and overall body development.

Does it hurt to squat 225lbs? If so, then LOWER THE WEIGHT. Does it hurt to squat 135lbs? If so, THEN LOWER THE WEIGHT. Does it hurt to squat using only your body weight? If so, you probably shouldn't be at the gym because you wouldn't even be able to sit on the toilet and poop without feeling pain, let alone pick up dumbbells at the gym.

If you haven't gotten my point yet, it's to start out with either low or no weight at all. Focus on doing the movement correctly. As you learn how to properly perform it (safely this time) add resistance as you feel necessary. Or don't add any at all. Even body weight squats are still beneficial.

Again, I've had friends who have had back and knee surgeries from sports, and after fully healed, have been instructed to perform squats and deads in order to rehab and strengthen those areas. There's a power lifter on here who has had a ton of surgeries and still squats.

Personally, I don't care if you squat or not. It doesn't affect me one bit. But don't sit on here and bash something because you don't like doing them.

[Black]

Bass don't waste calories typing this people like Dante Diamond are sucked in and believe that there lives depend on squatting and deadlifting.

I got injured because i listen to internet advise by a guy named Keith Wassung a powerlifter that told me if i wanted to get bigger and not use steroids i need to do the HIT program

2 sets of 8 to absolute failure on each

squat
deadlift
bentrows
chins
bench press
military press
bb curls

Before that i was boxing, doing lots of cardio and tae bo (was single lots of sexy women in there) i was into martial arts and wrestling. I started doing this and after 6 months i injured myself, i was suffering true this, but continued to the advise of Wassung, today i regret every minute of it because i got chronic pains out of it.

http://videos.bodybuilding.com/watch...ning-and-aging check this video Rics is spot on what he says in this video.

In fact i am thinking of going back to some P90X type of workout challenging my body without putting to much stress on it, and P90X is insane for weight loss and covers every part of the physical aspect, i feel that this is the only infomercial that was not a gimmick this insanity and the billy blanks tae bo dvds.

No, you are injured because you didn't know how to properly perform those exercises. I like how you want to blame everything else but yourself.

Again, choose not to deadlift and squat. That's fine. You can walk around with weak, under developed legs all you want. But don't blame an exercise for your ignorance. Just admit you don't want to do them.

[Bill_boy2005]

I have always been a fan of the 8 X 8 by Vince Gironda, of course i don't do the whole thing, 3 exercises of 8 sets each for biceps is too much, i kill them in one set of 8.

I have done 8 X 8 in the past and the pump is insane and there is some good fat burning too:

Here is a sample of the program:

DAY 1
Chest
Decline low cable crossover (touch hands at waistline) 8 X 8
Bench press to neck 8 X 8
Incline Dumbbell Press (palms facing each other) 8 X 8
Wide Grip V-Bar Dips 8 X 8
Biceps
Drag Curl 8 X 8
Preacher curl (top of bench at low pec line) 8 X 8
Incline Dumbbell Curl 8 X 8
Forearms
Zottman Curl 8 X 8
Barbell Wrist Curl 8 X 8

DAY 2
Shoulders
Dumbbell Side Lateral raise seated 8 X 8
Wide Grip upright row 8 X 8
Front to back barbell shoulder press 8 X 8
Dumbbell bent over rear deltoid lateral 8 X 8
Triceps
Kneeling rope extension 8 X 8
Lying Tricep Extension 8 X 8
2 Dumbbell Tricep Kickback 8 X 8

DAY 3
Back
Sternum Chin up 8 X 8
High bench two dumbbell rowing 8 X 8
Low cable row with 18? high pulley 8 X 8
Medium Grip Lat Pulldown to Chest 8 X 8
Abs
Double Crunch (pull in knees and elbows together at same time) 8 X 8
Weighted Crunch 8 X 8
Lying Bent Knee Leg Raises 8 X 8

DAY 4
Quads
Front Squat 8 X 8
Hack machine squat 8 X 8
Sissy Squat 8 X 8
Leg Extension 8 X 8
Hamstrings
Supine Leg Curl 8 X 8
Seated leg Curl machine 8 X 8
Calves Standing Calf raise 8 X 20
Seated Calf raise 8 X 20

But like i said i modified it for my needs, i do 3 exercises for big muscles and usually 2 for small ones except the shoulders, i don't squat and i don't deadlift either, and i don't kill myself on the bench press.

Do you take a day off between chest and shoulders? Your shoulders probably aren't quit recovered from the chest day when you hit them again.

[JD250]

I understand what Bass was saying and agree......but it really is VERY similar to what Dante is saying, I've had surgery on my 3 lowest discs so you will NEVER see me stack weights on my shoulders again but I do squat high reps with dumbells using lighter weights, same with dead lifts. My legs will never be big but I'm OK with that cause I understand where I'm at in life. Those exercises have caused a great deal of pain to people from poor form BUT as we get older, and I AM getting older, we can't lift as much or as hard so it does make sense to change things up and do what fits best for you and your body and your injuries. I don't think squats are the devil but I have to be very careful with my injuries and I think that's what some of us have had to do.......change up and be more careful.

[yannick35]

I am not forcing anyone to stop squatting or deadlifting for that matter, i am just saying what i have been told by specialist in the field. Bad forms or not, greatest for ever won't stop the bar on your shoulders to compress the spinal disc.

I hate dumbell squats because that makes me uncomfortable doing it. To each is own like i said, i pretty much stand by not risking it, then doing it again and re-injuring myself.

Both exercises are not needed to build a good physique, diet is the best thing.

[yannick35]

Do you take a day off between chest and shoulders? Your shoulders probably aren't quit recovered from the chest day when you hit them again.

Like i said i modified the program to fit my needs, i am not doing this at all.

I actually switch the days and re arranged the order or muscles in train

day 1 is chest

day 2 is back and biceps

day 3 is legs

day 4 is delts and triceps

I take between 1-2 days off between training days and 2-3 days off after i finish all 4 days.

[yannick35]

Like i said i modified the program to fit my needs, i am not doing this at all.

I actually switch the days and re arranged the order or muscles in train

day 1 is chest

day 2 is back and biceps

day 3 is legs

day 4 is delts and triceps

I take between 1-2 days off between training days and 2-3 days off after i finish all 4 days.

This program is not perfect its the a cut and past example of the real program found off the internet it can be modified to fit the person needs.

[bass]

I thought my previous post was straight to the point. Apparently I'll have to go into greater detail. At what point did I say you had to squat or deadlift enormous amounts of weight? In fact, when did I say you had to use any weight at all?

You are injured because of lack of exercise knowledge. Just because you sacrificed form for ego in the past, doesn't give you the right to blame squats and deadlifts for your injuries. These are fundamental exercises for basic strength and overall body development.

Does it hurt to squat 225lbs? If so, then LOWER THE WEIGHT. Does it hurt to squat 135lbs? If so, THEN LOWER THE WEIGHT. Does it hurt to squat using only your body weight? If so, you probably shouldn't be at the gym because you wouldn't even be able to sit on the toilet and poop without feeling pain, let alone pick up dumbbells at the gym.

If you haven't gotten my point yet, it's to start out with either low or no weight at all. Focus on doing the movement correctly. As you learn how to properly perform it (safely this time) add resistance as you feel necessary. Or don't add any at all. Even body weight squats are still beneficial.

Again, I've had friends who have had back and knee surgeries from sports, and after fully healed, have been instructed to perform squats and deads in order to rehab and strengthen those areas. There's a power lifter on here who has had a ton of surgeries and still squats.

Personally, I don't care if you squat or not. It doesn't affect me one bit. But don't sit on here and bash something because you don't like doing them.

dude, you really need to stop trying to sound smart! first of all my injuries were not caused from lifting, i had two motorcycle crashes, one screwed up my shoulders and the other damaged my back. so i now repeat myself and make myself clear, for people like us with passed injuries and our age its not advisable to do squats. of course each to his own, i am only giving my advise based on my experience. BTW, if not all but most of professional bodybuilders have injured themselves at least once in their career, so please don't tell me i got injured because i don't know how to lift. enough said!

[SEOINAGE]

I still think most people can recover from injuries or surgery and still do a movement like squat if done right. I don't put much stake in half the doctors and other supposed specialists that say its bad for you or bench is bad for you. Bench with certain form certainly can be, I thought I would never bench again, but figured out how to do it right and after therapy and constant prehab was able to get really strong at it. I thought I would never deadlift again, but after realizing I had been given bad advice i was able start doing it again. These lifts aren't inherently bad, and no reason to avoid them unless you are still recovering from injury, and at some point it might be a part of your recovery process. My little brother suffered a very minor injury and his doctor told him never to deadlift again, and sure enough he thinks the doctor's advice is absolute doctrine, when there is no reason he couldn't rehab and get back to deadlifting again, I know for a fact why he hurt himself, pushing way too hard as a beginner, and rounding the crap out of his back, not trying to say everyone hurt themselves this way. but people that complain about a lift tend to either have poor form, or muscular imbalances and other issues. I can't squat heavy currently because of a hip issue, that stems from a whole lot of other problems, and I am working on correcting the problem, but sometimes it is really hard when you don't realize how tweaked you are and how to completely fix it.

[Ryanmcd]

The owner of my gym @ 49 years old and 210 still squats 515 for reps weekly with 0 issues, it's all in the from and 99% never learn it and let ego get into the lift, hell I have seen people blow out a back doing curls like crap. It's all form and not being stupid.