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jvh
01-13-2007, 09:02 PM
Hello friends,
It's been just a few weeks that I've been using the clubbells and notice incredible improvements in my other sports from climbing to jiu-jitsu. I love the training and am now a devout convert.
A few years ago, I suffered a spinal injury (axial loading) from a throw in jiu-jitsu. My discs at C5 and C7 bulged out and compressed the brachial plexus. As a result, my left tricep and pec atrophied (I could count the ribs on the left side of my chest:frown: ). I was patient, dealt with the pain and opted not to get surgery. I trained the weak side for two years using one arm dumbbell bench presses, tricep extensions, etc. It took a while, but now I'm able to do one arm push-ups for the same number of reps on each side and the muscles have grown back to a negligible difference from the right. Now that I've started CST, I see that I still have a ways to go regarding symmetry. My left side is definitely weaker with less endurance in the CST single arm movements. I don't notice this in linear movements (conventional lifts). I know it will get stronger but should I be doing extra on the weak side? Any help/advice is appreciated.

ps- the instructional dvds have helped immensely and I'm looking forward to learning more at the Feb CST course. Good luck to everyone in their training.

Connie Brown
01-14-2007, 10:02 AM
Just hold back the stronger side while the weaker one catches up. I had/have to do that on my left every time I crank the weight up a notch and it works beautifully. I used sets/reps that maxed out the weak side and then did incremental progression from there.

And, thank you for the way you asked your question. You told us when, how, what, and it couldn't be more clear. I congratulate you on being quite expert at paying attention to your body, a learned skill a la intuitive training.

wildman
01-14-2007, 10:04 AM
as a cst enthusiast, i find it helpful to always train the weak side first in any movement and then limit the strong side to it. if anything, i wouldn't do more that one rep or set more with my weak side that my strong side.

that is a narly injury that i have never heard of before. wow.

Connie Brown
01-14-2007, 10:07 AM
Oh and! please put your real name in your signature per forum policy. thanks

jvh
01-14-2007, 06:14 PM
Thanks for the input Coach Brown and wildman. I'll implement those methods into my regimen. Have a good workout the next time you train.