Exercises using weights/cables

This is my 6th day after having my PM installed. Prior to this I have been going to the gym almost everyday doing cardio like stationery biking & some mild weights like 60lbs for bench press, 30lbs for biceps, etc more for keeping fit than anything else. I was cautioned not to indulge in weights anymore as it might damage the wires in the body,etc. I just wonder if anyone has done weight training after installing a PM. It will be a wonderful piece of info if anyone can help share their experience.

8 Comments

Lifting weights

by doublehorn48 - 2015-08-24 05:08:00

There are a lot of people that lift weights after getting a PM. The only note of caution I would give you is to go slow in getting back to lifting weights. In fact, go slow in getting back into your normal activities.



check with another member

by Theknotguy - 2015-08-24 07:08:29

TraceyE is another member on the forum. She's into lifting weights and can give you pointers. If she doesn't chime in within a day or two, send her a private email through the forum. She has suggestions for proper ways to lift weights and what to use to avoid problems. I, personally, don't lift weights and hesitate to make suggestions about doing so.

You will want to hold off until the PM wound is healed. My cardiologist suggested 90 days to make sure the scar tissue healed. Due to trauma I had prior to getting the PM it was five months, then two more months before I could get anywhere close to normal activity.

This is one area where you don't want to mess around and run the chance of breaking open the PM wound. That opens you up for a nasty infection with a long stay in the hospital. You can do alternative exercise such as walking at first, and then running, but go easy on anything that would compromise the PM wound.

I'm almost at the two year mark and am 100% on most things. Some things I'm better than 100% pre PM. So the PM, in and of itself, isn't a hindrance.

Hope you continue to do well.

weights

by Tracey_E - 2015-08-24 07:08:46

If you've been cleared for exercise, you can do the stationary bike as soon as you feel up to it.

We are generally told to wait 6-8 weeks to lift over 10#, give the leads time to heal. After that, most of us have few to no restrictions. Some people are cautious about heavy weights or using the pull up bar. Others (like me) have no restrictions. My doctor has always encouraged me to do whatever I want. I've been doing Crossfit, which includes Olympic lifting, for the last 4 years. I don't hold back at all, have never had a problem.

Exception- If your device or leads are very close to the surface or close enough to the collarbone that holding a bar will put pressure on it, then you need to be careful. That can damage leads. Use common sense. If it doesn't feel good, back off.

Barbells, Dumbbells, machines, etc.

by JoshM - 2015-08-25 03:08:29

Hi Andyfoo,

I have been back to lifting weights for the past 5 months.
I received my pacemaker January of this year.

I was really concerned at first, but my doctor/ep gave me permission after 4 weeks of healing to get back to the gym. I waited 8 weeks (it just felt right to wait longer) and took it very slow at first.

For the most part everything feels great to train.

Thankfully, I have regained most of my strength. The only exercises that don't feel right to me are shoulder presses with a full extension at the top and pull-ups. I still do both of these exercises, but I have modified them a bit. For example, on shoulder presses I have found that using a barbell (pressing in front of my head) and not locking out at the top feels best to me. Regarding pull-ups, I don't like hanging at the bottom. I go all the way up, but I don't hang.

Everything else feels great though. I was concerned about traditional bench presses and dips, but they feel totally fine.

I would definitely not recommend front squats though (you rest the bar on your clavicles or front delts).

Good luck, I'm sure you will be fine. Just give it time and see what works for you. You may find that you like machines or dumbbells better. Just wait and heal first and then ease back into it.

No problems

by Grateful Heart - 2015-08-25 04:08:34


I use weight machines and dumb bells. As the others said, give it the proper time needed to heal and get the clearance from your Doctor. 6 days is way too soon.

When you get cleared, start off lighter than you were used to, to see how it feels. Listen to your body too.

Grateful Heart

No Problem

by PeteFindlay - 2015-08-25 12:08:27

As others have said, once given the all clear just take it steady. It took me a couple of months extra to get back to 'normal' with weights. I'm now 16 months in, very active at CrossFit - even started competing this year. Lots of weight training, and I haven't hit any limitations.

I did think I would have an issue with the front rack position with a barbell for front squats or cleans, but it's been no issue for me at all. The bar is racked well back on my shoulders and nowhere near my PM. That said, mine is well buried under the muscle. If yours in on top of the muscle, you might have to watch that it doesn't come close, and modify accordingly.

Exercises using weights/cables

by Andyfoo - 2015-08-26 04:08:21

Wow, thank you all for the advice on exercises using weights. Its so comforting just to know that weights are ok to handle after the doctor has given the clearance. Its even more comforting to note that most of members are in some form of serious training while what I wish for is just a light routine. Thank you everybody for taking the trouble to offer the most encouraging news on this topic. It's my previlege to know you fellow members.

Andy

getting back to zumba

by zumbajanie - 2015-08-29 03:08:19

I'm a zumba instructor and i want to know if it's ok to jump right back on teaching after a week of having pasemaker my doctor said wait three weeks but i feel good so far besides having some shortness of breath any advice

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In fact after the final "tweaks" of my pacemaker programming at the one year check up it is working so well that I forget I have it.