If you have been diagnosed with a hernia can you do exercises that require lifting weights? This question is asked by people who hit the gym and have been diagnosed with Hernia. What about hitting the gym after you have had your hernia surgery?
Lifting Weights after you have been diagnosed with Hernia
If you have been diagnosed with any type of Hernia, you should refrain from doing any exercises that require you to lift weights. Any workout that increases the pressure to your abdomen has to be avoided if you have a hernia. It is worth mentioning that many workouts involve protecting your backbone by using an abdomen belt. These abdomen belts are worn tight around the abdomen and can cause severe contraction around your waist. This contraction can worsen your hernia.
Best Exercises to do if you have Hernia
- You can instead walk or fast walk on a treadmill. As a matter of fact, walking is always a better exercise.
- You could cycle too. But some people might experience pain in the hernia region if they cycle. In such cases, you should avoid cycling. Consult your hernia surgeon to find out if it is safe to cycle and then proceed on cycling.
- Swimming is by far the best exercise if you have a hernia. It is absolutely safe to swim. This is because swimming does not exert any pressure on the abdomen. They also make you fit without having to worry about the hernia present.
- Some Yoga asanas are ok to perform. But any asanas that crunch and squeeze your abdomen should be definitely avoided.
As a general rule, any workout that requires lifting weights, crunching the abdomen, holding your breath, bending down, etc has to be avoided. Yogasanas that require you to bend and twist your abdomen in Yoga should be avoided. Instead, you can select such asanas like Pranayama and can derive its benefit.
Lifting Weights after your Hernia Surgery
Many people who are in the habit of lifting weight and are a regular to the gym ask how soon they can hit the gym after their hernia surgery. If you have just had your hernia repair surgery, you may feel better and have an urge to start your exercise program once again. But be patient and not be so fast. Although the surgical incision may have healed, you still need significant rest so that your hernia repair is a success. If you have undergone open repair and not laparoscopic methods, you need more downtime. You need to start slowly only after your hernia surgeon has given a go-ahead to start your workout regimen.
As a ground rule, it is suggested that you wait for 4-6 months to resume your weight lifting exercises in the gym. But in the interim, you can always do some light exercises that are low-impact like walking, swimming, elliptical machines, and stationary cycling. It is better not to cycle on the roads to avoid having a fall. High impact cardio exercises like running and jumping along with weight lifting should be avoided for 4-6 months as said earlier. The best surgical outcome is ensured if you gradually add more strenuous exercises to your routine.
Conclusion – Generally speaking, surgeons recommend that you do not lift any weight after a hernia repair surgery. But if you are fitness conscious and love lifting weights in the gym, make sure to resume lifting weights only after 6 months of your hernia repair surgery. And that too, you should never lift heavy weights at all. Lifting light weights with moderate repetitions should ensure your fitness goals. Make sure to completely avoid exercises like crunching for your life.