Upper Body exercises using no weights - not even bodyweight?

Erica H. · 01-18-19, 06:05 PM

I'm having carpal tunnel surgery soon and won't be able to lift anything for a while. I'm wondering what workouts I can do to maintain some of my upper body strength. I won't be able to do push ups, pull ups, chin ups, dips, punching my heavy bag, etc. I don't know if I can do shadow boxing. Hopefully, I can use super light weights fairly soon but I'm having the surgeries two weeks apart (dominant hand then non dominant) so it will be a while before both wrists are recovered enough to even lift light weights (I think - I don't really know much about recovery).

Erica

sherry7899 · 01-18-19, 06:34 PM

Do you know if you will be allowed to do isometric exercises? Margaret Richard has a dvd called "Fight Age with Strength" that uses a playground type ball for resistance. I think Mirabai Holland may also have a dvd with isometric exercises.

Best wishes for your surgery.

bubbles76 · 01-18-19, 06:52 PM

Maybe Callanetics or Ballet Beautiful swan arms.

sillygirl · 01-18-19, 06:54 PM

How about the Swan Arms exercises from Ballet Beautiful? I haven’t done them yet but BB comes to mind when doing arm lifts without weights.

sherry7899 · 01-18-19, 07:05 PM

Erica, do you know if you will have physical therapy after the surgery? It would be a good idea to check with your doctor and a physical therapist. There is some information about post surgery recovery here:

https://www.livestrong.com/article/2...nnel-physical/

It looks like you need to wait a few weeks, and start by working on grip strength according to the article.

Patti S. · 01-18-19, 07:18 PM

Maybe Jane Fonda’s Easygoing workout....I second Callanetics (the original).

Erica H. · 01-18-19, 07:29 PM

Thank you!

Our library has Callenetics so I will order that. I also thought about Swan Arms - not sure if I'll be able to do that with my wrist but I will definitely try.

Sherry, I'm not planning on physical therapy. My surgeon hasn't said much. I'm hoping he gives me more info on the day of my first surgery.

Erica

toaster · 01-18-19, 09:05 PM

Something similar to Swan Arms would be Hamelin D'Abell's Armatics Taster--it's free on YouTube.

Erica H. · 01-18-19, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toaster

Something similar to Swan Arms would be Hamelin D'Abell's Armatics Taster--it's free on YouTube.

Yes, that's perfect!

Erica

VainJane · 01-19-19, 02:27 AM

The Pilates arm weight series only uses 1-2 pound weights, and is very short but effective. I like this one and this one; both are free on YouTube.

I also like this free standing Magic Circle workout - you can use a playground ball if you don't have a Magic Circle - but it includes lower body exercises as well.

Finally, Ellen Barrett's 30-minute Feel Good Fusion workout from her 7-Day Challenge DVD has some great upper body exercises without weights. If you can't get your hands on the DVD, her website offers a streaming option for all her workouts for $5.95/month:

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01-18-19, 06:05 PM
Erica H. Join Date: Nov 2001	Upper Body exercises using no weights - not even bodyweight? I'm having carpal tunnel surgery soon and won't be able to lift anything for a while. I'm wondering what workouts I can do to maintain some of my upper body strength. I won't be able to do push ups, pull ups, chin ups, dips, punching my heavy bag, etc. I don't know if I can do shadow boxing. Hopefully, I can use super light weights fairly soon but I'm having the surgeries two weeks apart (dominant hand then non dominant) so it will be a while before both wrists are recovered enough to even lift light weights (I think - I don't really know much about recovery). Erica

01-18-19, 06:34 PM
sherry7899 Join Date: Jun 2003	Do you know if you will be allowed to do isometric exercises? Margaret Richard has a dvd called "Fight Age with Strength" that uses a playground type ball for resistance. I think Mirabai Holland may also have a dvd with isometric exercises. Best wishes for your surgery. __________________ "Say you are tired and you will be. Believe you are strong and you are." (Sean O'Malley) The cat in my avatar is my sweetheart named Bonkers

01-18-19, 06:52 PM
bubbles76 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New Jersey	Maybe Callanetics or Ballet Beautiful swan arms. __________________ "You humans have the potential to be the most wonderful beings there are - if you can get past all these enormous stupid spots you seem to have in your hearts. It's not your fault. You just don't know how to work your hearts right yet. That's why there are dogs." - Jim Butcher, Zoo Day

01-18-19, 06:54 PM
sillygirl Join Date: Mar 2013	How about the Swan Arms exercises from Ballet Beautiful? I haven’t done them yet but BB comes to mind when doing arm lifts without weights.

01-18-19, 07:05 PM
sherry7899 Join Date: Jun 2003	Erica, do you know if you will have physical therapy after the surgery? It would be a good idea to check with your doctor and a physical therapist. There is some information about post surgery recovery here: https://www.livestrong.com/article/2...nnel-physical/ It looks like you need to wait a few weeks, and start by working on grip strength according to the article. __________________ "Say you are tired and you will be. Believe you are strong and you are." (Sean O'Malley) The cat in my avatar is my sweetheart named Bonkers

01-18-19, 07:18 PM
Patti S. VF Supporter Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Orange County, CA	Maybe Jane Fonda’s Easygoing workout....I second Callanetics (the original). __________________ "We are so fortunate we get to exercise" - Erin O' Brien

01-18-19, 07:29 PM
Erica H. Join Date: Nov 2001	Thank you! Our library has Callenetics so I will order that. I also thought about Swan Arms - not sure if I'll be able to do that with my wrist but I will definitely try. Sherry, I'm not planning on physical therapy. My surgeon hasn't said much. I'm hoping he gives me more info on the day of my first surgery. Erica

01-18-19, 09:05 PM
toaster Exchange Moderator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Western NY	Something similar to Swan Arms would be Hamelin D'Abell's Armatics Taster--it's free on YouTube. __________________ Beth aka Toaster (she/her) *Follow me @YogiBethC* YouTube\|Instagram\|Facebook And yes, I am Reviewer Dr. Beth on Amazon.

01-19-19, 02:27 AM
VainJane Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Seattle, WA	The Pilates arm weight series only uses 1-2 pound weights, and is very short but effective. I like this one and this one; both are free on YouTube. I also like this free standing Magic Circle workout - you can use a playground ball if you don't have a Magic Circle - but it includes lower body exercises as well. Finally, Ellen Barrett's 30-minute Feel Good Fusion workout from her 7-Day Challenge DVD has some great upper body exercises without weights. If you can't get your hands on the DVD, her website offers a streaming option for all her workouts for $5.95/month: