Expert: Harry Hayfield - 5/10/2010

Question
Hello Harry, I have been diagnosed with grade 1 spondylolisthesis of my L5/S1.  I used to play wide receiver in college a couple years ago and used to be able to squat, deadlift, etc. very heavy and now I have experienced low back pain since last september as a result of hyperextending my back from glute-ham situps.   I have been advised by doctors to lay off of these exercises that will put an axial load on my spine.  I am still very much in the pursuit of working out hard and putting on some muscle.  Would I still be able to put on good amounts of muscle while laying off of squats, deadlifts, and rows?  I can still bench, do heavy pullups, and leg presses and such; but without those other exercises, I lack the ability to vary my exercises often to confuse my muscles.  Do you have any recommendations for me?

Answer
Building muscle is nothing more complex than exercising with enough resistance to destroy existing muscle which is then replaced by stronger muscle, therefore it is perfectly possible to continue to build muscle just avoid the areas that your doctors have warned you about.