+ 1 How to Return to The Iron
So you've gone and got yourself injured? Tore a bicep? Or Maybe it wasn't gym related and you broke some bones in an accident.
You've been out of the gym for a while, and you've lost weight. At This point there's two paths you could take:
1) take 6 months to get back to where you where.
2) one "harmless" cycle to get you back to where you where.
Here's what one lad had to say:
"I have been hospitalised for 2 weeks, and couldn't workout for 2,5 months after hospitalisation. My BF was 25%. Started training again january, and now my BF is down to 14-15."
I'll leave his name out, but he wanted to run two coumpounds at 5'9" and 170lb
Using gear at this point is nonsensical because of both MUSLE MEMORY and NATURAL POTENTIAL.
It's the same reason why using gear to build a base isn't condoned. If something can be done naturally, then let it be done. Muscle memory is quite an amazing thing, in a fraction of the time it took you to build that lost base, you can reclaim your former glory (the same goes for strength). On top of that, being hospitalised really messes with your diet, especially of you were on painkillers/anaesthesia. Take the time to let your body readjust to the stress of lifting, and eating like you used to.
Your body has enough to deal with, don't add to its strain. All said and done you have to live in the body you have forever. Treat it well.
JAG.
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Glad to see this actually. I was reading up on muscle memory last night and was surprised to see a thread about it. I have taken several lifting breaks over the years and based on my own anecdotal evidence...I always thought muscle memory was a thing. I remember how much work and what a journey it was to hit my first 225 lbs bench press.
After an injury, I'd struggle with 135 sometimes, and within 3 weeks was doubling that weight. Something had to give.
So I was reading that over 3 months of inactivity our muscles will atrophy (obviously) but the number of muscle nuclei remains unchanged during those 3 months. So all the framework is there, you simply have to give your cells the signal that there is breakdown again and they must return to their size with proper training, rest, and nutrition.
This is why our youth must train and exercise...if not for themselves right now...but for the future. Some individuals feel they "wasted" time because they were very regiment...got into good shape, but then fell off the wagon and they're starting from scratch. Several studies now indicate that this kind of thinking is incorrect, and you are actually investing in yourself...investing into your muscle nuclei.
So if you've been injured, dormnant, or just plain lazy. Listen to what JAG has stated...hit the gym for a few months to fill out your muscles...you don't need a compound to help you do that. Once you hit the wall again, then you can toy with the idea of bringing compounds into the mix.
Lastly...let's not forget about connective tissue. If you've been inactive and you jump onto a cycle, your tendons will be far behind your muscles and you expose yourself to injury due to snapping those tendons.
Thanks for the post JAG was happy to read this today.
Here's a couple stories for that, I was in the gym one time, squatting. The next to me was curling (in the squat rack). Apparently he was recovering from a car accident. Anyways, I was resting and wating for my next set. All of a sudden I hear screaming, and look up from my phone to see this guy on the ground. He tore a bicep and it looked really bad. Ever see a bicep tear live? It's bad. Anyway he had to be taken to a hospital.
Story #2
This is back in high school when I used to wrestle. I ended up tearing my meniscus (happened again later on) and I couldn't squat for 5 months. I went from a 315 squat (again I was in high school) to not being to squat bodyweight. One year after the surgery my mobilty was mostly back, and my squat went up to 365. Back then steroids were never in the picture.
Bottom line, if you're truly injured, let your body heal.
RustyhookerReal talk! Or face another injury, non recovery, etc.
Thanks rusty, Ive been seeing plenty of these "getting back to it cycles" and had to speak up.