all posts post new thread

Bodyweight OAPU GTG - When am I done?!

Status
Closed Thread. (Continue Discussion of This Topic by Starting a New Thread.)
Yes, all of those. I used incline, assisted, and isometric holds to get it the first time. This time, I first had to find a way to do any push-ups pain free (see thread Other/Mixed - Painful push-ups - front delts) but I'm currently doing pretty well with the Shenaboard and letting the elbows come out towards 45 degrees. I also started physical therapy last week; the diagnosis is tight/weak/inflamed rotator cuff muscles so treatment is 4 each stretches and strengthening exercises for infraspinatus, supraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis. So we'll see how it goes from here.
Well, I wish you a good recovery then. As a side note, I personally have had very good experiences with marmot oil for all kinds of joint inflammation. Sounds strange, I know, but it's a traditional remedy in the area I'm from (the alps). My coach recommends a cream called Finalgon - that worked for me as well, but most people seem to find it too strong. Please note that this is personal experience, not medical advice.
 
Well, I wish you a good recovery then. As a side note, I personally have had very good experiences with marmot oil for all kinds of joint inflammation. Sounds strange, I know, but it's a traditional remedy in the area I'm from (the alps). My coach recommends a cream called Finalgon - that worked for me as well, but most people seem to find it too strong. Please note that this is personal experience, not medical advice.
Interesting... thanks. I just did some searches on both of those and I ordered some Marmot oil. My primary care doc prescribed some Voltaren gel, an NSAID which seems to help especially when it's painful at night. But the other night I got up in the middle of the night, picked up the tube and went to apply some gel to the shoulder, and after rubbing some on I realized I had grabbed the toothpaste tube instead of the Voltaren ROFL.
 
Last edited:
Interesting... thanks. I just did some searches on both of those and I ordered some Marmot oil. My primary care doc prescribed some Voltaren gel, an NSAID which seems to help especially when it's painful at night. But the other night I got up in the middle of the night, picked up the tube and went to apply some gel to the shoulder, and after rubbing some one I realized I had grabbed the toothpaste tube instead of the Voltaren ROFL.
I don't have anything against voltaren (although my favorite doctors says that "it's a useless waste of kidneys" :D), and I've had to use it at times, both topically and orally. However, my experience with it usually was that while it did kill the pain effectively and momentarily halted inflammation, there is both a risk of overconfidence (which will in turn tend to aggravate things) and also, once you go off it, things tend to go back to how they were. I haven't had those experiences with either Finalgon nor marmot oil. Finalgon will give you a deep, almost burning warmth in that area when exercising (it is activated by heat, also in the shower), while marmot oil will reduce the pain somewhat, but still leave you aware of the feeling a bit. Therefore, I've personally come to prefer these options and reserve Voltaren & Co for really acute pain (pre-op according to the recommendations of my doctors, and post-op), so basically only in case an operation is necessary.
One more thing: please be sure to observe the indications that come with the ointments. In case of marmot oil, application is generally recommended two (possibly three) times per week for at most three weeks, then a break of at least one week. Failure to do so can have various adverse effects (weakening skin and possibly even bones - where I come from, they say it can "make bones soft"). It contains a lot of cortisol - I've personally heard from hunters that they select the animals to shoot based on how much stress they assume they have, so they go for younger males whenever possible -, so basically it's a natural steroid. For Finalgon, the indications are even more crucial, because it can burn like hell (as in "my skin is being burned off"), especially if you get it in the eyes. It really is strong stuff.
 
When I became confident with the OAPU I did StrongFirst roadwork for 8 weeks. 3-4 times a week I ran for 1 hour and did 3 OAPU every 20 minutes. Then I cut the time between OAPU to 15, 10, 5 (failure), 7.5, and then 5 minutes again (success). I would run for 1 hour doing 3 OAPU every 5 minutes and run for 2 hours doing OAPU every 10 minutes. I bumped up the OAPU to 4 reps and once did 5 OAPU but it was too much for me then. The first 3 sets were easy but after that it was more mental focus than excess strength. It's a tiring routine but effective. I then did it 2x a week for quite a while, alternating between 1 hour and 2 hour runs. Doing a plank in the bottom position is what got me my first OAPU. I got the idea from an Aleks Salkin article.
 
Good tip! I think I'll employ that in my training.
"Hold a five-second one-arm one-leg push-up plank at a lower elevation (ideally on the floor if you’re strong enough). Then, actively pull yourself into the bottom position—low enough that your shirt brushes the ground. Hold this position for five seconds, then relax. Shake out the tension, walk over to your elevation, and do your reps. Repeat on the other arm."
 
Status
Closed Thread. (Continue Discussion of This Topic by Starting a New Thread.)
Back
Top Bottom