About Brian Expertise I can help set up a weightlifting program, give suggestions on specific exercises and how to deal with injuries. We can discuss your goals and effective ways to work towards them. I compete at powerlifting, and have been weightlifting for over 15 years.
Experience 15 years weightlifting experience, including competitive powerlifting.
Question I've been lifting weights for about 3 months. I was currently doing 5 sets of 8 reps for each muscle group. Chest, Shoulders, Triceps, Legs, Back, and Biceps. My elbows. Both have recently started having bad pains. I haven't lifted weights for 3 weeks and my right elbow doesn't hurt any more but my left one still feels the same. Could have it been the weight lifting? Should I still rest it until it quits hurting? I don't really want to lay off the weights any more or I'm going to be starting all over again.
Answer Nikhil - Most likely you have tendonitis. My usual advise for tendonitis is:
1. Stretch. If the pain is on the back of your elbow (the "pointy side"), then do stretches that involve bending your elbow behind your head. If the pains is on the front of your elbow (the "creased side") do stretches that involve straightening your arm.
2. Do the exercises that aren't really painful. This will vary depending on which tendon(s) you inflamed. So, it's trial and error: if an exercise is particularly painful, don't do that, but there may be similar exercise you can do with less or no pain.
3. Elastic wrap: You can get an elastic wrap (looks like a sleeve) that you can wear over your elbows. Wear it when you workout, and anytime it is hurting. You may even want to wear it while you sleep.
