Gym Gear Questions

[DWise1]

I guess this kind of topic has a place on this forum, since some dancers supplement their training at the gym.

Since I cannot use my abdominals for another few months or more (recovering from surgery), I can only do exercises that don't work those muscles, such as the elliptical. Post-operation I've been using a "belly binder" to hold everything together, but I've weaning myself off it and I don't wear it in the gym.

The thing is that in the locker room I saw that somebody had a 6 or 8 inch band around his belly that appeared to be gym gear. I didn't think of asking him about it, since it looks like it might work for me to protect my abs while I work out.

Does anybody know anything about it?

 

[tanya_the_dancer]

My husband uses something like that to support his lower back when lifting. I don't think it is meant to support the abs.

 

[Ithink]

Yeah, it's probably a weight belt, meant to support the midsection when lifting. I agree, I think it's more for the back than the front of the midsection.
Here's an article about it: http:// sportsmedicine.about.com/cs/strengthening/a/ aa060201a.htm (remove spaces).

You totally should have asked that person though. I find people who go to the gym are always happy to share gym tricks/knowhow with others.

 

[DWise1]

Yeah, it's probably a weight belt, meant to support the midsection when lifting. I agree, I think it's more for the back than the front of the midsection.
Here's an article about it: http:// sportsmedicine.about.com/cs/strengthening/a/ aa060201a.htm (remove spaces).

You totally should have asked that person though. I find people who go to the gym are always happy to share gym tricks/knowhow with others.

Yes, as with everything in the past I see with 20/20 vision that I should have asked him. Though, I've seen weight belts before and this one looked different: the others narrowed a bit in front and had a belt buckle there, something that I can't tolerate yet (it's been suspenders and Hawaiian shirts), but this one seemed to be a Velcro'd wrap-around that was the same width all around. Doesn't mean that it couldn't have been a weight belt, just that I didn't immediately recognize it as such.

One plus for me in that article:

Constantly wearing a belt can also cause decreased strength development in abdominal muscles. Electromyographic research has found that there are lower levels of muscle activity in abdominal muscles when a belt is worn while lifting. The muscles that would normally keep the abdomen stabilized are inhibited when a belt is used, which could result in weaker abdominal muscles in the long run.

Lower ab muscle activity is what I need right now. I'm also needing to try to keep up on my pushup training (Navy requirement) which I was planning to accomplish with the bench press, but my gym only has free weights for the bench press which I'm afraid will place a strain on my abs. Again, that belt should help.

At least I'll start participating in dance class again tonight. With my belly tightly girded, of course.

 

[fascination]

happy healing to you dwise...wish I had a good answer...recovery from abdominal surgery is tough...I have been there and it is a long road

 

[tanya_the_dancer]

My husband has one with velcro, not with a buckle. So that's probably what you've seen. He also has something he bought in a hardware store for people who do heavy lifting as part of their job. That thing also has shoulder straps.

 

[wooh]

See if you can get your surgeon to refer you to a physical therapist for exercise guidance. It's so easy to overdo it, and this is one area where you really want to be very careful and remember it's MUCH better to be safe than sorry!

 

[flashdance]

When I had abdominal surgery I rested for around 7 weeks (as advised by surgeon) before going back to the gym/dancing - that was quite a major op. If the wound hasn't healed then I wouldn't bother as you could end up disturbing it even just doing minor exercise...

Take it easy and gradually at first. (i didn't).. better to speak to your surgeon though (I remember waking up after my op and asking when can I go back to the gym/dancing :lol: - surprised they didn't strap me to the bed )

 

[DancingMommy]

Definitely take it easy! I've got one of those velcro thingies for my low back but it's not for weight lifting/heavy work. It's just a support brace and it doesn't work for beans.

 

[Joe]

You often see people who have to lift things for work wearing a belt-and-harness kind of looking thing that looks very much like it fastens with velcro, in order to protect their backs. Could be similar.

 

[Sarah820w]

Support belt

They are right it will support the abs while lifting...