Aches and pains

It goes almost without saying (if it was without this page would be blank ha ha) that the harder you push your body the more likely it is you'll notice aches, pains and strains. Once you get to record breaking levels you're into territory no-one else, or very few, has or have been.

My sleeves (image from Strength Shop).

Right now I'm fortunate that my 'ache list' is a small one. I get an occasional twinge or tweak in my wrists - usually from not getting them warm. You can throw in a strange ache on my left elbow (like there's a bruise on the bone) and the usual tightness or warning tweak in my lower back.

My shoulders, which were bad enough a year or two ago that laying on either in bed was uncomfortable enough to wake me up. I used Glucosomine and still recommend this highly. But I changed, on becoming a rep for Bulkpowders, to Cissus and this seems to have done the trick. I can't remember the last time it was an issue.

One thing I do regularly is use support equipment but only at MAX levels. So, as per today's planned session, I'll put on elbow supports for my heaviest sets on pressing (Iso-lever press today) and heavy tricep pressdowns. Ditto belting up when appropriate and so on. James, at Beefs Gym, teased me once about my 'toys' (''you do like your kit don't ya? A; yes I do ha ha) but I've knackered myself enough times to take care.

It is, as above, key to get the balance between not over-relying on said supports and yet also making sure there's not to many injuries coming your way.