Some of the questions I receive every week are as follows:
1. Do I recommend my exercise programs for those who have bad hips, shoulders and knees?
2. Can I do your program after a hip or knee replacement?
3. Will your program help with arthritis or osteo-arthritis?
Generally, I defer these questions to your physician as there’s no way for me to judge your limitations from an email only. I would need to see how you move and what causes you pain.
Well, today I received an email from a man who found an answer that worked for him. Here’s his story:
Matt,
When I started using Combat Conditioning I could do zero Hindu squats, zero Hindu pushups, and a bridge seemed physically impossible.
So I started with wall sitting (30 seconds was a struggle), isometric pushups (a couple), and leaning backward over an exercise ball.
I couldn’t even touch my head to the ground over the exercise ball. I persisted, I struggled and kept at it. I finally got to be able to do a Hindu squat and then worked up to 125 Hindu squats.
Hindu pushups were always an issue because of my bad shoulders and right elbow. But I got up to 50 Hindu pushups – modified for my limitations, and could bend over the exercise ball and touch head and feet.
Unfortunately my knees and shoulders pain me greatly. I had already had both hips replaced 15 years ago. My knees and shoulders replacement are in my future.
This problem with joints affects my family. So, it held me back, slowed me down, but I kept at it.
Even if I only did 20 Hindu squats, 10 Hindu isometric pushups, and the ball bridge. I am 51 years old. I kept going and this week, after 11 months effort and persistence I did my very first bridge from a flat floor. What an accomplishment!
I was so happy I called my son to come and see. At a minimum now I do 100 Hindu squats, 50 isometric Hindu pushups (my right elbow prevents me from going down or straightening up), and the bridge. A real bridge now, I no longer use the ball at all.
I’ve also added the abdominal workout (farmer burns, vacuum, etc.). My daily body weight exercise routine takes 25-45 minutes depending how much I do. My leg muscles have increased in circumference by almost two inches.
One great improvement I have noticed is my neck no longer “goes out” and requires chiropractic adjustment. My neck, back and abdomen are all so much stronger.
Thank you for the body weight exercises, they have changed my life. In addition to building strength, I have lost more than 10 pounds and my belt is no longer tight; it has run out of holes.
Again, thank you. I can recommend this exercise regime for anyone, including those with severe osteoarthritis and degenerative joints like I have. Keeping joints moving, using them, and keeping the muscles and ligaments strong is so important.
Best Regards,
Russell Brooks
MJF: Superb job, Russell. Thanks for letting me know about your results – especially how you persisted in the midst of pain. I am thrilled to learn how you DID IT with Combat Conditioning. In the near future I’ll be releasing my Chi Kung program, which I think can help you with the joint pain.
In most cases, if I were to give advice to someone in your condition, I would recommend The Chinese Long-Life System. There is a lot of great training advice in this program – and it’s much more user-friendly for someone with osteo-arthritis.
My mother-in-law, who previously hated exercise because she’d either get hurt or be too sore afterward, has been following it since I put the program out several years ago. And it’s changed her life. Previously overweight, she now looks terrific. I don’t know how much weight she lost, but I’d guess it’s 25-30 pounds.
If these kind of results are what you’re looking for, then be sure to begin using The Chinese Long-Life System right away.
Best,
Matt Furey