Injury from Chalean Extreme. Anyone hurt themselves over doing it?

[puavar]

Hi ladies,
Thank you for being my safe place to fall here.

Well, to make a long story short- I've Firmed for years. It felt like time to change it up and go heavier. Before joining the Cathe ranks and getting STS, I decided to go for CLX. I waited for a month, FINALLY got my package from the beachbody snail, and plugged away at Burn 1 last Monday. It felt like nothing. I guess I didn't go heavy enough? So on Burn 2, last Wed, I upped it. I think between too heavy of weights (don't laugh- for me it WAS 10's and 12's- now I'm scared of them) especially on the over head movements and some odd twisting moves she incorporates that in my mind while doing them, I thought it didn't feel right, but of course didn't listen to myself, I tweaked my left shoulder. It runs deep into my left shoulderblade, up through my left arm, which is a bit numb and tingly, and down under my left breast into my VERY sore to the touch sternum. Granted, I've been getting better since then over the last few days, but other than a yoga class last Thurs ( I could do almost NOTHING-not even a chatarunga) I've done no workout. I'm going to start back up on my elliptical tomorrow, but other than that it's pure rest- not even my own body weight. Not only am I hurting, but I'm scared to make it worse. GRRR!!

I'm not super fit, but I can hold my own. Weight wise, I'm OK with where I am- 5'4" and about 135. I had my body fat tested with the trainer I work once a week with at my gym and it is 20.9% down from 26%, so I know I'm doing well on the fitness path. I thought I was strong and ready. I could hear my own roar! But now, I'm meowing in pain and wondering if I'm not the only CHalean victim.

I can still return it and try to get my money back, but who knows how long THAT will take Beachbody.

Any other injuries so I know I"m not alone. Or for those of you without injury, any advice? This has never happened to me before and I've been working out for years to home videos.

Thanks,
Amy

 

[Iris_g1]

Amy,

I'm currently in the Push Phase of CLX, going into week 3. Before CLX, I had done a rotation of STS, and hurt my shoulder just one workout short of completing the entire rotation. Took a few months break, and jumped right back in the game with CLX. When I first started Burn, I too felt some of the moves felt awkward. What I did was modify. I had a couple days where I didn't feel up to compound moves, so I split them up. Did the lower, than upper. I didn't do this for all exercises, but on those that felt awkward, depending on the day. One thing to remember is that because you are lifting soo slow with CLX, it's best to go with lower weights than you think you can handle, and up the weights gradually. That's what I've been doing, and so far I have been safe.

Good luck to you

 

[ellesan]

Hi Amy,

I've not done or seen this program, so I don't know whether it's improper form they show in the workout or maybe you tried to use too heavy weights and didn't keep proper form...but I think the key is that you said " I thought it didn't feel right but of course I didn't listen to myself." Sounds like you pinched a nerve and really overworked your intercostal muscles as well as your shoulder.

First and foremost you should always use lighter weights until you are comfortable with the form and movements of any new workout. I know it's easy to let the ego get in the way and feel like we should keep up with the instructors, etc., but this can (obviously) lead to injury.

Next, if something feels wrong or uncomfortable, you should listen to that and stop doing it or modify in some other way.

Make sure you rest/ice it and don't over do it until it heals. Light stretching and possibly a PT consult would be helpful.

Hope you get better soon!

 

[morningstar]

Hi ladies,
Thank you for being my safe place to fall here.

Well, to make a long story short- I've Firmed for years. It felt like time to change it up and go heavier. Before joining the Cathe ranks and getting STS, I decided to go for CLX. I waited for a month, FINALLY got my package from the beachbody snail, and plugged away at Burn 1 last Monday. It felt like nothing. I guess I didn't go heavy enough? So on Burn 2, last Wed, I upped it. I think between too heavy of weights (don't laugh- for me it WAS 10's and 12's- now I'm scared of them) especially on the over head movements and some odd twisting moves she incorporates that in my mind while doing them, I thought it didn't feel right, but of course didn't listen to myself, I tweaked my left shoulder. It runs deep into my left shoulderblade, up through my left arm, which is a bit numb and tingly, and down under my left breast into my VERY sore to the touch sternum. Granted, I've been getting better since then over the last few days, but other than a yoga class last Thurs ( I could do almost NOTHING-not even a chatarunga) I've done no workout. I'm going to start back up on my elliptical tomorrow, but other than that it's pure rest- not even my own body weight. Not only am I hurting, but I'm scared to make it worse. GRRR!!

I'm not super fit, but I can hold my own. Weight wise, I'm OK with where I am- 5'4" and about 135. I had my body fat tested with the trainer I work once a week with at my gym and it is 20.9% down from 26%, so I know I'm doing well on the fitness path. I thought I was strong and ready. I could hear my own roar! But now, I'm meowing in pain and wondering if I'm not the only CHalean victim.

I can still return it and try to get my money back, but who knows how long THAT will take Beachbody.

Any other injuries so I know I"m not alone. Or for those of you without injury, any advice? This has never happened to me before and I've been working out for years to home videos.

Thanks,
Amy

I never hurt myself with CLX, but I always felt I might. The way she uses compound movements mixed with odd techniques may work one-on-one with a trainer spotting you, but it felt really dangerous to do in my living room alone. I stopped after the first month. I dreaded those workouts.

 

[PhyllisG]

I completed the whole CLX program but felt the compound exercises coupled with heavy weights was an injury waiting to happen. I was super careful but still felt a twinge in my back at times which I never had with any other program. Plus I know you could go lighter but when you have Chalene shouting at you "Go heavy or go home" you don't want to be a wimp. She is constantly encouraging you to go heavy. I also felt the super slowness of some of the moves with such a heavy weight was a problem also. I also did STS and had none of these issues with the program. I thought it was well thought out, you were using a weight appropriate to your abilities and the speed of each move felt better. Doing those 1RM's was a great idea.

 

[andtckrtoo]

I know several people who have hurt themselves with CLX. I started feeling it in my sciatica nerve from leaning over with the heavy weights. I have three friends who messed up their wrists from gripping such heavy weights. Shoulder injuries are common. I stopped the program and traded it on VF for STS Mesocycle 3 - it made more sense to me. I was bummed, though as I did like Charlene's personality.

 

[puavar]

Thank you for the Input!

I've been busy at work and of course nursing my wounds. It's been over a week since I've done ANY weight work, including my own body weight in the form of pushups, etc. I've just been walking, which makes me so irritated because when I bought CLX I was ready to take a step UP in fitness, not a leap down. Oh well.

On a good note, I am feeling better, just not ready to jump back in the fire. I'm seriously considering returning CLX since I still have my 30 day trial. Kind of strange, but when I called to inquire about returning, the Customer service lady said I had 90 days?? to return. Sounded fishy to me. I don't trust Beachbody at this point since just to get the item in a timely fashion, I had to call and fight.

Bottom line- I think I'm sending Chalean back. I bought the Deluxe version and just paid my second installment. So far I've shelled out $170 or so bucks and I'm still going to get charged for the third increment of $69....not worth it to me.

Anyone ever tried to return something to BB and actually get your refund in a timely fashion? Maybe I should post that question too. Seems the more I learn about the company, the less I like it.

Again, thanks!
Amy