AboutAdam Kessler Expertise USA Weightlifting Sport Performance Coach and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. I have 11 years experience in the industry and now run my own personal training company.
If there are questions specific to weight loss or muscle gain, body transformation programs, and some health issues (osteoporosis, diabetes, arthritis, elderly fitness, pregnancy, and fibromyalgia), I can help. I also deal with athletes who want to improve their speed, agility, and quickness, as well as providing sport-specific strength programs.
I seem to receive a lot of questions about weight loss, shaping up, and weight gain. Even though they are different questions, they all have a very similar answer. I have decided to write a 3 page document explaining what you need to do to achieve weight loss, weight gain, or just getting good definition (flatter stomach, thinner thighs, no granny arms, etc.). If your question falls in this area, please download this document and read what you need to do. This will save me and you time. Please click here to download this document. If you have a more specific question, please feel free to ask me. I'm more than happy to try and help you out.
Also, please don't ask me to give you a workout to do. I can't give individualized workouts over this forum. I know nothing about you. If you misinterpret what I'm saying, get hurt, then I get in trouble. So no workouts period.
Experience I have had over 11 years of experience in the health and fitness field. The last 6, I started and have been running my own personal training company. I have also been the head strength coach of an area high school for 4 years.
Organizations I am a member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association. I also belong to USA Weightlifting.
Publications I have been the feature of several articles in Columbus Business First and Mid-Ohio Golfer. I have written articles for various online article directories which can be found by Google searching my name.
Education/Credentials B.A. at Indiana University (1994)
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
USA Weightlifting Sport Performance Coach
Not sure if you deal with these kind of questions but im sure you have some feedback. I am 22 years old with a L5/S1 Disc herniation for the past two years+. I have relieved my pain threw training my back %26 core area with a sports therapist. Since January I have been in the gym continuing the core/back workouts as well as weight training every other muscle. I have not had any issues with the weights so far but I have gained about 15 pounds from 180 - 195 lb. I have been increasing weight with everything from bench press to leg press and continue to do so. My question is, will eventually this catch up to me and cause injury or back pain again? Do you know of people that weight train with disc hernia? I would like to continue getting bigger and stronger but obviously not if I will be in the pain I was two years ago.
Thanks for you time,
Matt
Answer The focus of strength training for people with a herniated disc is to strengthen the surrounding muscles that provide support. Flexibility is also key as well. As long as you are doing proper form with your exercises and adhering to what your therapist had taught you, you should be fine. The problem is that any type of weird movement might trigger the back pain. We are trying to prevent it with the strength training and stretching, but sometimes no matter what you are doing you trigger a pain.
I would definitely continue with the exercise program. You will be much better than someone who isn't and at the very least you are improving your chances that you won't have any other pain. I just don't think it will be 100% avoidance.
