Time for a complete rest maybe?

[Kompany4]

So almost a year ago I developed a terrible case of tennis elbow, rested it for a long time and went back lifting very light and with this awesome strap I bought for it.

Really helped and slowly over time I began increasing the weights again.

I found myself only needing it on push days then but got into the habit of thinking prevention is better than cure and wore it for almost all my sessions.

On Tuesday I forgot to bring it to the gym so went ahead to do some back and biceps anyway and I was shocked at how weak my right arm has become without it our due to using it.

The part of your arm (not sure what it is called) the triangle gap between forearm and bicep- like a litre crook is so, so weak.

I wear that strap very tight and although my session without it didn’t flare up my bad elbow I literally couldn’t curl light weights due to how weak that crook was.

Is it time to have a break from the gym or drop the weight massively and train without that strap in future?

Elbow still hurts day to day with certain things, I’ve eradicated anything that sets it off big time in the gym but it can still twinge off a certain one or two exercises, my main concern now is this weakness I’ve developed in that arm from overuse.

 

[darrenG10]

Biggest thing that helps me is forearm training with the cable arm straight and curling in then behind your head curl in then cable at the side of your leg curl up

I’m yet to fully fix the knee but been there for so long

 

[Functional Fitness]

Tight straps have a tendency to weaken tendons and supporting/stabiliser muscles/ligaments so it's best to never use them unless you're training heavy but in your case, with a known injury/imbalance, I'd suggest staying strapped loosely and just using a weight that's moderate.

What's more important, the "crook" or your overall arm/bicep size/strength?
Taking a break is only going to make you weaker.
Perhaps do some isolation work (no strap) after biceps just to focus on "the crook" ?

 

[Kompany4]

Tight straps have a tendency to weaken tendons and supporting/stabiliser muscles/ligaments so it's best to never use them unless you're training heavy but in your case, with a known injury/imbalance, I'd suggest staying strapped loosely and just using a weight that's moderate.

What's more important, the "crook" or your overall arm/bicep size/strength?
Taking a break is only going to make you weaker.
Perhaps do some isolation work (no strap) after biceps just to focus on "the crook" ?

Thanks for the reply and advice mate.

Well the crook seems to be needed in any type of lift or movement now, not trained since Tuesday (not because of this) and my elbow isn’t throbbing either which is nice.

The crook pain though earlier in the week was that bad I daren’t even attempt isolation work.

Yes, with a rest I will go much weaker but strength comes back quite quickly.

I do believe having the strap that tight has definitely weakened the tendon etc.

I think I’ll enjoy the weekend and see how it goes Monday.

 

[Functional Fitness]

The crook pain though earlier in the week was that bad I daren’t even attempt isolation work.

Are you sure you haven't done some serious damage like a muscle tear mate?
Maybe some rest and relaxation is exactly what need if you're in a lot of pain.
Wearing an elbow/knee sleeve (the neoprene type) will help increase bloodflow and speed up recovery if you've got one that's the right size to give your arm some compression.

Good luck. Hope you feel better soon.

 

[Jayne Scott]

Rest dear, rest