injury/ strength training

[Brado]

I recently messed up my left shoulder/ arm/ hand. I'm right handed....it hurts to play bass right now. I believe it was carrying my bass head. It's in a Gator bag case with a shoulder strap. I had it on & did something wrong. Something got pinched or pulled....not really sure. The pain is there, though. I'll have to address the injury first & recover. My question is this. Is strength training a good idea? What types? I don't want to hit the gym & beef up. I just want to be limber & strong enough avoid injuries like this. It's a minor, but annoying set back. Any advice?

[MarkTAW]

1. Get a lighter amp. Markbass or Acoustic Image make extremely light heads (The Acoustic Image head is so light I had that "picking up an empty cup you think is full" sensation the first time I lifted one). Markbass & a few other companies make lightweight speaker enclosures too.

2. See a doctor! They'll probably prescribe physical therapy. Once the doctor says you're up to snuff, strength training can help "keep stuff together" near the joints - I'd see a physical trainer for specifics on what exercises to do to strengthen this relationship without potentially making it worse.

[Thunder Pulse]

Originally Posted by Brado

Is strength training a good idea? What types? I don't want to hit the gym & beef up.

Your injury aside, strength training is a good idea for every human on the planet. Most people don't have the genetics to look like steroid freaks so put that idea out of your mind from the outset. You could do a full body workout, 6 exercises at most, one set of 15 reps, and you'd be covered. I've lifted weights for over half of my life and have no plans on stopping.

I shake my head when I see threads/posts from people worrying about a bass being too heavy because it weighs over 10 lbs. There are people who are just the outdoors type that don't even lift weights and they go on 3 hour hikes wearing a 30lb backpack.

Lift weights, it's good for you.

[Brado]

Cool. Thanks for all the good advice. I'm already making the move towards a lighter bass head. I've gotta' stick with my cab. It's not that heavy. AccuGroove Tri112. About 30lbs. That's been the best sounding "final ingredient" in my signal chain ever. Woah....see; I'm a gear nerd.
Back to the fitness thing....I've got a buddy who's into yoga. Alot of the streatches he mentioned to me sound alot like the streatching I did back when I marched Drum Corps...I was doing yoga streatching & didn't even know it. I'll re-visit some of those for sure. I remember feeling GREAT about mid season while I was on the road with the Madison Scouts. Of course, I was also in good enough shape to run around with 60 lbs. of tenors on! I never worked out for the first 30 years of my life. It's time that all changes. Thanks to all who responded. Any other advice is welcome.
you can also e-mail me via myspace...
www.myspace.com/bradymuckelroy
Thanks.

[BruisedOoze]

Do you work a desk job or such?

Stretching is a good idea and helps prevent you from pulling things, knotting up when stressed, or in general preventing things like muscle spasms. A weight or quick movement often will provoke these things if you're out of shape.

I used to be pretty bad about posture at work (A lot of desk work). I was active, played soccer and hockey, but didn't take stretching seriously. One night, playing bass, I did something to my neck and had muscle spasms for a good week. Something with the way I was moving, and the weight from the strap being on one shoulder. I quickly acquired the nickname robocop due to my slow head movements. The same thing happened during other activities.

I stretch routinely now and watch my posture at work, and have avoided another injury. Plus I feel more loose and comfortable/relaxed. As you're saying yoga would be a good idea.

Strength is a good idea too but flexibility and stretching should be emphasized. It only takes 15 minutes a day. Add strength in there, another 15-30, and you should be covered

To a speedy recovery.