Weight and strength training with planks (isometric exercises)

[FoxRedPuppy]

I’m not allowed to do isometric exercises, like planks, due to a heart condition.

I’m using YouTube work out videos at the moment, but a lot include planks or similar. Any suggestions of exercises I could do instead at this point?

Not sure I fully understand your circumstances but I struggle to plant but can plank with shoulder taps. Would that work? It seems harder work hence not sure I want to recommend it without knowing your condition… which obviously I’m no medical expert anyway.

If not then dead bugs. Or whatever deadbugs are called but in hands and knees?

I’ve had 3 Spontaneous coronary artery dissections. It’s a kind of heart attack. This is where the artery wall tears and blocks the flow of blood, usually causing an MI.

My consultant said I am ok to exercise but mustn’t do yoga, Pilates or anything isometric like planks. I think it’s the holding and strain? I know you don’t actually hold your breath, but that sort of feeling of holding breath puts pressure on the heart and could cause another tear.

Deadbugs in all fours I can do!

you need classes with adaptations? Pilates is good for this. So both knees on the floor. Then just one knee down etc. is that what you mean?

as pp said dead bugs would also be good. But keeping legs in table top rather than straightening out

Ha ha- I think that’s called bird dog? No idea why!

I’m following some YouTube strength training videos at the moment but a lot include planks like exercises. I’m trying to find things that I can do instead.

Pilates is out, as it involves lots of isometric moves.

Do you mean even a plank with knees down is out? I would have thought Pilates is the best for adapting to all levels?

It sounds to me as though body weight exercises are the issue- putting the strain on the whole body rather than the limbs. But I’m the opposite of an expert, I’m just comparing which parts of the body are used in the different types of exercise.

If so, those gym machines that exercise one body part at a time might be good. Presumably not heavy weights because of the strain, but lots of reps with light weights.

Planks and wall sits and similar will squeeze/contract the blood vessels while you are doing them - this is probably why you have been advised not to do them.

There is research that doing them regularly can help reduce blood pressure over time which is interesting.

I think it would be best to take advice from someone with more specialised knowledge. Even qualified personal trainers may not have that much expertise in this area.