I’ve been watching Dr. Austin and Alan Thrall on Youtube for years, but only recently I have decided to seek professional help. I’m currently in week 6 of an 8 week program that I purchased about 2 years ago from another company that specializes in fitness for software developers. I’m looking to transition to a program from Barbell Medicine but I’m not sure how. When looking I found the knee rehab template and thought that would be great to help alleviate my knee pain. Here are my stats for reference:
2016 Started Starting Strength after weight gain from quitting smoking in 2015 (weight 260s)
2016 hyper extension of right knee in July not related to exercise caused meniscus tear and MCL strain/sprain?? Sept scope surgery to repair
2017 July attempted Starting Strength again (weight 270s). Stopped when son was born in August.
2018 April started purchased program, stopped in May for career change. Went from career of 15-25k steps per day to 5k steps per day.
2018 August spent weekend in hospital with DVT in left leg and 5 PE’s. Genetic testing showed no reason for DVT, started blood thinners. Ordered not allowed to exercise, only walking.
2018 December slip on ice, tear left meniscus. Weight (280s).
2019 February given Ok to start exercising again. Attempt purchased program again gingerly - torn meniscus. (weight 290s). April slip on log while hiking, really tear meniscus. Finally able to afford scope in Sept.
2020 Due to stop taking blood thinners in April but COVID keeps me on.
2020 May 1, 306lbs, 42 years old, pain in both knees, worse in the left knee. I start aerobic workouts 3 days a week, Walking 7 days a week. June, 10 day blood-sugar detox, quit caffeine.
2020 August, first week. No knee pain in right knee, left knee still hurts but not as much or as often. Start 8 week purchased plan again. Now in September I’ve lost 45lbs since May 1st. I need to find another program that I can transition to after this program is over. I lift 3 days a week for an hour in my basement gym, but I still have left knee pain and weakness. One of the exercises on leg day is barbell lunges and I struggle with form on my left side. Sorry about the super long post, but with this information, is the knee rehab template a good choice for me? Or should I look at the beginner template or even something else completely different. Also I have read template and program. Are they the same? Thanks!!
Hey @adamayd thanks for the questions. Based on the information you’ve provided, I wouldn’t recommend the knee rehab template. I think you’d likely benefit from a consultation with us so we can talk through your prior knee symptoms. Otherwise, any activity is better than none and sounds like you are off to a great start. If you are struggling with barbell lunges with your current program, you can regress the movement to simply body-weight in place split squats where you hold onto an external stable surface (like your rig) to lower through tolerable range of motion and then stand-up. I think it’s important to mention here that pain doesn’t equate to tissue damage, harm, or hurting yourself. We want symptoms to be tolerable but it’s ok to have some symptoms while engaging physical activity. Check out this article HERE for general guidance. If you are interested in a consultation with us, please complete our intake paperwork HERE.