Bending And Blood Pressure?

[gunnaknow]

Bending is mostly isometric in nature because very little movement occurs. Isometrics is known to increase blood pressure dramaticly, especially if you max out, as is true with most benders. Isometrics actually causes blood pressure to reduce considerably for several days afterwards but this is because the blood vessels throughout the body have been stretched open by the high blood pressure caused during the isometrics.

My concern is not so much for the average, daily blood pressure caused by isometrics, which would be quite low. My concern is about the blood pressure during the isometrics, which rockets, especially under high strain. My concern is that this could cause damadge to the heart and arteries. I remember straining with some hand crushing isometrics and my heart area ached for a few days afterwards. I think it really gave my arteries a stretch. I was a newbie and perhaps needed to work up to such intensity over weeks but even experienced guys who max out on isometrics, like bending, might be doing damadge to their arteries over time. I would like to hear the opinions of the experienced benders, especially if you have experienced heart problems or aching arteries. I have heard that some benders experience tinitus, which can be caused by high blood pressure. Thanks.

Edited December 9, 2005 by gunnaknow

[carusom1]

Bending = not for the weak at heart

[TennisDude]

WTF now I am scared.

[Scott Styles]

Don't hold your breath while bending and it won't be any worse than maxing on any other exercise. Not breathing when straining that hard is bad for the circulatory system and could cause you to pass out.

[Oldtime]

Bending is mostly isometric in nature because very little movement occurs. Isometrics is known to increase blood pressure dramaticly, especially if you max out, as is true with most benders. Isometrics actually causes blood pressure to reduce considerably for several days afterwards but this is because the blood vessels throughout the body have been stretched open by the high blood pressure caused during the isometrics.

My concern is not so much for the average, daily blood pressure caused by isometrics, which would be quite low. My concern is about the blood pressure during the isometrics, which rockets, especially under high strain. My concern is that this could cause damadge to the heart and arteries. I remember straining with some hand crushing isometrics and my heart area ached for a few days afterwards. I think it really gave my arteries a stretch. I was a newbie and perhaps needed to work up to such intensity over weeks but even experienced guys who max out on isometrics, like bending, might be doing damadge to their arteries over time. I would like to hear the opinions of the experienced benders, especially if you have experienced heart problems or aching arteries. I have heard that some benders experience tinitus, which can be caused by high blood pressure. Thanks.

←

You think about things way too much.There is no way bending somthing is going to raise your blood preasure anymore then lifting(and lifting wont raise anything either for that matter). Unless you attmept somthing you cant bend, isometrics will not kill you. In my opinion you spend toomuch time in your ndream land then actualy training.

Edited December 9, 2005 by Oldtime

[supermagnamon]

Bending = not for the weak at heart

←

that's well said right there.

[gunnaknow]

"You think about things way too much. There is no way bending somthing is going to raise your blood preasure anymore then lifting(and lifting wont raise anything either for that matter). Unless you attmept somthing you cant bend, isometrics will not kill you. In my opinion you spend toomuch time in your dream land then actualy training."

Dream land? You're not very friendly are you? There is no need to be like that just because I am concerned about my health. It pays for me to be cautious about my training because I have arthritus at the age of 25.

"Bending = not for the weak at heart"

I have as much passion about grip and strength training as anyone here. I can close a #2 for 20 reps, so I am not afraid of hard training. The reason I am asking about blood pressure is precisely because I am not weak at heart or afraid of hard work. I want to know that intense isometrics is safe so that I have the go ahead to train my ass off with bending.

Edited December 10, 2005 by gunnaknow

[TennisDude]

Bending is mostly isometric in nature because very little movement occurs. Isometrics is known to increase blood pressure dramaticly, especially if you max out, as is true with most benders. Isometrics actually causes blood pressure to reduce considerably for several days afterwards but this is because the blood vessels throughout the body have been stretched open by the high blood pressure caused during the isometrics.

My concern is not so much for the average, daily blood pressure caused by isometrics, which would be quite low. My concern is about the blood pressure during the isometrics, which rockets, especially under high strain. My concern is that this could cause damadge to the heart and arteries. I remember straining with some hand crushing isometrics and my heart area ached for a few days afterwards. I think it really gave my arteries a stretch. I was a newbie and perhaps needed to work up to such intensity over weeks but even experienced guys who max out on isometrics, like bending, might be doing damadge to their arteries over time. I would like to hear the opinions of the experienced benders, especially if you have experienced heart problems or aching arteries. I have heard that some benders experience tinitus, which can be caused by high blood pressure. Thanks.

←

You think about things way too much.There is no way bending somthing is going to raise your blood preasure anymore then lifting(and lifting wont raise anything either for that matter). Unless you attmept somthing you cant bend, isometrics will not kill you. In my opinion you spend toomuch time in your ndream land then actualy training.

←

Dude, that was way too harsh. Chill out.

[Oldtime]

"You think about things way too much. There is no way bending somthing is going to raise your blood preasure anymore then lifting(and lifting wont raise anything either for that matter). Unless you attmept somthing you cant bend, isometrics will not kill you. In my opinion you spend toomuch time in your dream land then actualy training."

Dream land? You're not very friendly are you? There is no need to be like that just because I am concerned about my health. It pays for me to be cautious about my training because I have arthritus at the age of 25.

←

You're a little bit over-conceared.

If you think bending raises blood preasure, then stop bending. Seems pretty logical to me.

[ruffhans]

i believe that bending will raise blood preasure along with any heavy excersise. but i believe also that a healthy heart and body will not be effected by it. i will say the averige american is unhealthy. so unless you can get inside your heart and realy see it will be hard to say. i stoped bending because of this. i had high blood preasure, from food, and my mental health. worry ext. but with changing my diet and thinking and over all health it has come down to a healthy level. your concern is a very nobal one firiend. anyone "truly" an athlete. rather in grip or anyother sport would think of "over all" health not just the outside of the body.

take care of your organs first. then go on to grip.

here is a ? for you,..............if any given excersise puts you at risk for health problems,....where you ment to do it? would you not bend for the sake of your health. when the world ends, no one will care what you can bend.

remember, most of us grip to feed our own mental idea of what strength is.

health first , grip secound. ,......................but i hope one day you can bend without any haert problems.

[steelbiceps]

If you think your chest pains have anything to do with your heart, you should see a doctor asap.

Intense bending will have similar effects on BP as intense weight lifting. Lifters have been measured with systolic blood pressures over 350mmHg during a lift, which is about three times a normal resting BP of 120mmHg. I'd guess the biggest risk is probably hemorrhagic stroke during maximal efforts. The BP drops back to normal very quickly after your effort stops, however.

Anyway, doctors get asked all the time to evaluate the health of people about to start an exercise regimen. Ask a doctor who deals with athletes and he/she should be able to do a standard screening physical.

[Left Side]

"Bending is not for the weak of heart"

A pun, not intended as a flame at all.

"...spending too much time in dreamland..."

Come on Oldtime, he asked a fair question. I agree that bending is no worse than lifting, and that neither pose any real threat to an intelligent athlete, but from the sounds of it, gunnaknow has some very real heart problems, seeing that he experienced heart pain after exerting himself in bending.

Gunna, I would suggest you talk to a cardiologist if you have not done so already. Although I'm sure you've heard that a thousand times already.

And 20 reps on the #2, is quite good.

[Mikael Siversson]

Nothing seems to push my blood pressure up like deadlifts or heavy squats.

In the long run, yes, I think we will eventually learn about fellow gripboard members dying while going all out in bending, much like they probably would doing any other heavy exercise.

Older people commonly die sitting on the toilet so take your pick, toilet or bending a bar.

[HAMMERHEAD]

This topic is briefly covered in The Spiritual Journey of Joseph Greenstein .

-HH

[Oldtime]

If you really feel that bending is raising your blood preasure, stop doing it.

Lifting and bending carry risks, if your not willing to take the risk then maybe you should move on.

[anson]

When you start bending big stuff you're going to experience some some wigged out shit such as vision loss and mild loss of conscienceness. Yes, your blood pressure will fluctuate with all out attempts, but if your cardiovascular system is healthy it probably won't kill you. I think this is why bending dosn't appeal to as many gripsters, and explains why some of us are so gung ho about it- you're exploring the absolute limits. As you become more experienced you learn how to control some of the physiological side effects. My advice is to go see a doctor and get the ok to exercise, better to play it safe when it comes to your health. Also listen to your body, learn the difference between good pain and bad pain. Best of luck to you!

[Dude]

If you breathe your set imo, whether its bending or lifting. The stress doing both feels about the same for me when going max.

My roommate actually had a mild aneurism (sp?) from lifting because he had a habit of holding his breath during max attempts. He's about 155-65 benching almost 360s and pulling probably 550s DL so the stress is easy to imagine on someone like that. But if you breathe properly like they say theres no reason to think your gonna get injured imo.

Plus who doesnt like that staggering blurred vision feeling with drool hanging out of your mouth when you're fighting for a new PR? Like drinking almost but cheaper and you have something to show for it after your done

[George Champlin]

I bend, suffer from High Blood Pressure, Aniexty Attacks, and am overweight and the only time bending or lifting causes an issue is when I forget to breathe.

[j.scribner]

My .02 worth... many lifters are not the most cardio-fit individuals I've met. They're big, strong, and darst I say this... overweight to some degree. I know I'll probably get torched for saying it, but many lifters' idea of a cardio workout is walking the track between sets. I see many young men in my daily work (OR nurse) who consider themselves "fit", who have blood pressures teetering in the hypertensive area. That means they have plaque deposits in their arteries (including those around the heart and in the brain) and those arteries are not able to "stretch", at least not in the sense you are thinking. They look like sewer pipes lined with yuk, a product of eating waaaay too much fat, and overprocessed foods over the years. That's what causes high blood pressure, along with carrying extra weight, and genetics. When you lift, you do several things to your body, including elevating your blood pressure, intracranial pressure, intra-abdominal pressure, etc. Breathing correctly minimizes these effects, but you still tax your cardiovascular system tremendously. Bending is no different. Anyone in the iron game should know their baseline BP and resting pulse, and do some serious cardio training on a regular basis. That means jogging, treadmill, elliptical, stairstepping, etc., not just the heavy breathing associated with weightlifting. Studies done during the Vietnam war on young men killed in battle showed that almost all showed some degree of cardiovascular disease (plaque formation), and these were very young men, overall, and those studies probably would be worse today. Take care of your cardiovascular system.

John Scribner

[mighty mouse]

bunch of girls, give it up if ya going to complain

[TennisDude]

bunch of girls, give it up if ya going to complain

←

[Rick Walker]

I don't bend cause I am too much of a puss, but this topic intriques me so I feel the need to reply on it.

Older people commonly die sitting on the toilet so take your pick, toilet or bending a bar.

Funny that Mikeal brings this up. An older, sedentary inmate that works as a clerk in my office had a stroke on the crapper. So I agree with Mikeal on this, I dont want to go out on the crapper!

When you start bending big stuff you're going to experience some some wigged out shit such as vision loss and mild loss of conscienceness.

Just like anything else! Get underneath a max squat or pull a max deadlift-same thing. Your head feels fuzzy, pressure builds up around your eyes and nose, etc. It can be scary if you arent prepared to deal with it. I hit 655 in gear yesterday-today I have small brusies all around my eyes, neck, and forehead. I have been getting these small brusies since I was about 18. I have seen other lifter's whites of their eyes urn completey purple/red without any permenant damage.

I will say I have never lost conciousness-I have goten very light headed, but never went out. I think the key is to let your air out!

My roommate actually had a mild aneurism (sp?) from lifting because he had a habit of holding his breath during max attempts. 

That is a common argument amoung doctors and others who deem heavy weightlifting as BAD. However, what I would have to ask is what's worse for you? Lifting heavy weights? Or sitting on the couch with a bag of chips and a beer and getting winded when you have to go up the steps to take a piss?

When you lift, you do several things to your body, including elevating your blood pressure, intracranial pressure, intra-abdominal pressure, etc. Breathing correctly minimizes these effects, but you still tax your cardiovascular system tremendously. Bending is no different. Anyone in the iron game should know their baseline BP and resting pulse, and do some serious cardio training on a regular basis. That means jogging, treadmill, elliptical, stairstepping, etc., not just the heavy breathing associated with weightlifting.

Can you tell John works in the medical field??? You worry too much John, and when you worry too much about the future, you never actually get to living, IMO. I could sit in my house all day long for fear of what is outside the door, then die when it burns to the ground with me inside. How many people die every year in car accidents? Drowning in their own bathtubs? House fires? Choking? Falling? Getting crushed by trees? Slipping in ice? See a pattern here? You don't worry about those things happening to you, and you go about your daily life. So why worry about if you are going to die going for a max squat??? You could go to a nice restaurant with your family tonight and get gunned down by a madman. I wonder if everytime a football player gets hit, he thinks this might be the last one? Can't imagine he would be playing much longer if that were going through his mind.

John I recieved a pacemaker in 2000 for 2nd degree av block-a condition I was born with. I have been lifting heavy and competing since I was 16, and I got the pacemaker when I was 20. I did all the standard tests-stress test, echo, MRI, cath up my leg and into my heart, etc. etc. My ejection fraction is great, my heart walls are normal, my heart is the normal size and strength (actually one of the best ones the doctor had ever seen aside from a college swimmer who's mom freaked out when he got light headed). The doctor said all of my weight training helped me to keep from getting the pacer when I was a child. My BP is 114/72 at last check, and my cholesterol is 160. Resting heart rate is always 60 or below. I have a conduction problem, common in people from birth. The only cardio I do is dragging a heavy sled for 10 trips of 150 step count, and strongman training.

If you are truly worried about dieing or getting hurt from training, then take up board games and long walks on the beach.

-Rick

[j.scribner]

Rick- you are a great example of what someone with a pacemeker can attain. C'mon, admit it, bro, you're one in about 100,000 though. And, yes, I'm in the medical field I'm also 52 years old, have practiced martial arts since I was 21 years old, run marathons for 4 years in the Army, which I joined at the young age of 35, went to Air Assault School at the age of 36 (qualifying for that required me to pass the PT test given to guys 18 years old), and have lifted weights since I was about 25. (although I didn't start doing the heavy stuff and grip-training until I started lifting a year ago with Stew) I also cut and split about 4 cords of wood a year which is all I heat my house with, and have for 25 years. I have never been a couch potato, have never worried about getting my ass kicked either in person or in print, and don't reckon I'll start now. My old man died of cardio-pulmonary arrest at the age of 36 a couple of weeks home from Vietnam, so the bad genes are there, and I figure I've already outlived the odds. I don't worry about too much about that, and WON'T be taking up board games in the near future, although I WILL be walking on a beach in Mexico in February. (30th anniversary) I love lifting and doing strongman, too, as an old geezer. My point is simply that you and I both know many strength athletes who can tell you all about nitrous oxide, ammonia-sniffing, anabolics, etc., yet know nothing about why you get lightheaded when you do a huge lift, and make really stupid remarks like "you bunch of girls, give it up if ya going to complain" when someone asks a reasonable question. If you're gonna survive this sport over the long term, you'd better be educated, and you'd better take care of that muscle in your chest...

Here's hoping I get a chance to work out with you sometime in the future!

John Scribner

[Rick Walker]

I also cut and split about 4 cords of wood a year which is all I heat my house with,

Sweet! I use fuel oil, costs me about $425 every time they fill it up and my wife likes the house at 75 degrees. But, I never said you were a couch potatoe my friend, I said heavy lifting is probably better then being a couch potatoe.

have never worried about getting my ass kicked either in person or in print, and don't reckon I'll start now.

Not sure where that came from, but good for you! I dont either-I carry a gun and a cell phone.

My old man died of cardio-pulmonary arrest at the age of 36

That sucks bro, sorry! Genetics are about the only thing that you can't escape but you seem to have done a great job at it! Thats awesome! My old man (my biological father that is) is a sloppy 400+ pounds and IS a couch potatoe who loves his beer and McDonalds. He is in his upper 50s and had a minor heart attack a few years ago when his 2nd wife left him and cleaned out their house & bank account while he was at work. That might give anyone a mild heart attack. He has never had surgury, and never had another one. I figure if he goes in his 60s that is on him. I think for the father it is after age 50 it is no longer a risk factor for me. Is that correct?

I don't worry about too much about that, and WON'T be taking up board games in the near future,

Again, I was generalizing, not talking specifically to you. People in general who are afraid of dying during lifting should take up board games.

yet know nothing about why you get lightheaded when you do a huge lift,

Everyone gets light headed with a huge lift, regardless of cardio shape. I bet even you, who is in obviously good shape, stuffed yourself into a squat suit and attempted a PR, you would get lightheaded. I just dont think it is something you need to be concerned about. 1000s of people lift heavy every day with no ill effects. Can it kill you? Possibly. Should you worry and stress about it? Nah.

If you're gonna survive this sport over the long term, you'd better be educated, and you'd better take care of that muscle in your chest...

See, that is the thing about me. This isnt long term. I want my 242 ELITE cause it was a goal of mine that I have not yet reached. Once I reach it, I may hang it up and do some raw meets only. You never know. I also want to ride a century and run a marathon, and do a short triathalon.

Here's hoping I get a chance to work out with you sometime in the future!

Indeed! That would rock-

-Rick

[burner]

Once again I have to back rick up on this topic,

The powerlifting world is a mystical sport ventured by the very few. There has been considerable training knowledge passed on in the last 10 years or so focussing on the "conditioning" of the lifter. As someone who follows the conjugate system, one of the most important aspects is GPP. As with any powerlifting crew we routinely have "visitors". These visitors will usually have a strong bodybuilding backround and want to know how to move the big weight. They are usually humbled by the cardio level of our workouts. Meaning that a huge amount of volume gets moved in a short period of time. I have since cut back a bit on the volume approach as I am preparing to seek another jump on my core lifts but the same principles apply. If you are not conditioned properly you will likely not improve. The majority of the arguments that I get into with people about training is at work where the mid life employee can barely walk to their car without feeling winded and overworked, and I too work in the medical field.....I am surrounded by doctors and health care professionals all day. The motto of do as little as possible because I work is rather catchy! How can you excell physically outside of the workplace if you can barely survive within it?! Powerlifting and bending is about proper training, speed, strength, conditioning and straining. If your cardiovascular system as well as your neurological system cannot support the strain placed upon it , you will "shut down" (ie syncope, dizziness) For those of you involved in improving your lifts and have been successful think about what you could move 3 years ago compared to now. My max attempts 3 years ago nearly killed me whereas now they are merely warm ups, that has a lot to do with conditioining. I am 6'6" 320 and have a resting pulse of 58 and a BP of 117/ 72...now you tell me if I can handle the strain. My warm-ups usually include stretching(depending on how tight I feel), cardio(jumprope, etc), weights or just some kind of circuit............THAT'S BEFORE THE TRAINING BEGINS. To make a long story short, I leave you with this....As we approach a peaking phase in our squat training we really get to see where everyone's level of GPP(general physical preparedness) is at. 99.9% of the time we are out of shape. By bringing up our conditioning and cleaning up the diet we find that we are less winded and able to focus better. As the body's systems improve so does our ability to improve.

The bottom line is get in shape.......

peace,

burner