My wrist hurts

MRSchultz

MRSchultz

Cathlete
Cathe/Educated Crowd:

I have not been able to get any new weights lately I've progressed and need more than 5 lb. dumb bells. Soooo, I've been grabbing my 3 lb. weights AND my 5 pounders and holding them both in my hands and doing the workouts. I woke up with some very sore wrists - but only on one side??? Do you think it's because I sometimes have a strange grip on the weights because I'm trying to hold two weights at a time?

Any thoughts?

Thanks, Marcia :)
 
Maybe you twisted something holding the weights? I know when I pick up two dumbells at a time (which I know sometimes we all do), the grip is different and I'm probably not holding them the right way. Bad form can equal injuries, so please be careful! Neoprene weights (I know ... I prefer the iron ones too!) are very inexpensive. Also, do you have a Dick's Sporting Goods near you? I buy my hex-headed gray iron dumbells there, and they're usually about 35 cents a pound. I hope your wrist feels better soon!!

Carol
:)
 
Hi Marcia!

I think you've hit the nail on the head, girlfriend! Your grip can most definitely cause wrist pain. There are a few instances -- not many -- in Cathe's tapes where she grabs two dumbbells in one hand. I learned a long time ago that my hands and wrists don't work that way. I had the same pain afterwards that you have. Even during the exercise I felt awkward and like I didn't have a secure grip on the dumbbells -- and I actually didn't, really. Think about it: when you're trying to do a fairly dynamic movement with two weights in one hand, you're bound to have a wider grip on the weights than you would have on a single dumbbell, and the wider your grip is the more you're using all the muscles and supporting tissues of the hand and wrist and forearm for support.

I'd say stick with your 5-pounders and do more reps until you can buy some 8's. Simple iron hex dumbbells are fairly inexpensive, so maybe this will be something you can treat yourself to soon. For example, a pair of 8's at Fitness Wholesale Online is $9.99 plus shipping (http://www.fwonline.com/wsolid.htm). I'll surf around and edit this note if I find a cheaper source or one with free shipping. And if you have a Sports Authority or Dick's or similar store near you, they'd probably be cheaper still!

In the meantime, be good to yourself and please take care of those sore wrists -- ice and Advil and rest!! :)

http://e4u.deltait.com.au/sport/sport23.gif Kathy S.
 
Hey Carol!

Great minds think alike, kiddo! :)

We don't have Dick's in Atlanta but I visited one in Charlotte, NC recently when I was at my mom's house, and FINALLY found some 12-pound iron hex dumbbells (I had neoprene covered ones but they felt too thick in the middle). What a nice store!

http://e4u.deltait.com.au/sport/sport23.gif Kathy S.
 
If you need heavier weights, but can't afford them now, you can use a filled gallon container (or a detergent bottle) as a weight. A full gallon of water weighs around 8 pounds (weigh two filled bottles to make sure that they are the same).

While they might be to awkward for pushing exercises like triceps and chest and shoulders, you could definitely use this set-up for lat rows, deadlifts and bicep curls. Just make sure the grip in comfortable for you (handle is big enough, etc.)
 
RE: Hey Carol!

Hey Kathy!!! How are you? I practically live in that store!! When I was in there a couple months ago buying my 25# and 30# dumbells, the dumbstruck sales person was watching me hoist those things into the shopping cart, and came running over to help (I'm sure he thought I was struggling!)the girl lift the really heavy weights - LOL!! He weighed less than me, I think!! He asked if I needed help, and Nik (my daughter) said to him, "Are you kidding? She can lift me!" I had to bite my tongue to keep from laughing!! She's truly my daughter!! LOL!! Nik is about 108 pounds, and only two inches shorter than me. And yes, I can lift her! The embarrassed man then asked if the weights were for my husband!! I just grinned and said, "Nope!" We had to walk away then because I was starting to laugh again!!

Anyway, that store is AWESOME!! We both love to go in there and just drool over all the neat stuff!!

Carol
:)
 
RE: Hey Carol!

I found another reason for my wrist hurting. I went to do push ups during the Supersets vid and man my wrist was KILLING ME. Then it dawned on me - I bet it's from the 10-10-10 CTX vid while doing those triceps pushups?????? I remember struggling with those because you have to have your arms and elbows so much closer to your body, etc.

Anyway, they are starting to feel better and I'm not doubling up on my weights anymore - I'm going to buy heavier weights tonight. :)

Cheers, Marcia.
 
RE: Hey Carol!

I'd be cautious if the pain is from the push-ups. Is there any numbness or tingling involved? You could be on your way to carpal tunnel syndrome problems. I started to have carpal tunnel problems after doing a routine (Kathy Smith's step workout) that had push-ups and tricep dips in it. One of these exercises, or both, is what triggered the problem. Now, I avoid a regular hand position for these exercises, and keep my wrist straight, splaying my fingers and putting the weight on them. Using dumbbells as push-up bars also helps keep the wrist straighter.
 
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