One last question before sugden closes for ever

I consider myself fairly fit (having just done the London marathon)

however , for seemingly NO REASON I got a tweak in my lower back (right side) the type of injury that constantly hurts and goes into spasm numerous times a day if you make a wrong move.

(could be bulge ? herniated disc ? facet joint ? muscular ?)

so now i am doing rehab and I am slightly mad at myself.

it seems i have neglected strength training

so , what is the best training to keep the body in good shape ?


I have decided to join a gym (grandad training) and continue to ride my unicycles

Have you considered the possibility of "piriformis syndrome" ?

Did you unicycle the marathon? you could hide it under a fancy dress outfit

Stuart McGill's work on back pain is well worth a look

it could be Piriformis syndrome as its similar area and symptoms

A while ago I donwloaded and watched Mcgills DVD , very good !!

I think I am at the less severe end of the scale , having read the mcKenzie method book , but still , annoying.


Jason , It cant be the rower can it ? I row with nice form

as for the unicycle, furthest I have gone is 10km

oh, and the main THRUST of this thread is - what is the best way to live to give your body its best life !?

im thinking - yoga , weight training , walking , swimming ??

I think strongman...definitely strongman.

At 43 I feel pretty healthy, fit and strong, but my back is quite fragile. It can injure spontaneously from doing NOTHING! It's the main reason I don't feel I could do strongman again. I do miss it

In terms of health and longevity, I think moderate exercise is key. I believe brisk walking is the best thing you can do.

10km is a long way to go on a unicycle!!!

This is kinda where I am at , but I intend to make my back super solid (if all goes well) , strongman is a wonderful thing and the gym I am gonna join does it .....I wont be doing much , unless the creatine I have has been very heavily tainted

I am getting a touring unicycle (36" wheel) and it is a thing of beauty !! (i will be commuting on it)

Squat.
Bench.
Deadlift.
Insulina.

hang on a minute. You're unicycling now? This is very enjoyable information.

I say strongman in jest but if I was just training for a base level of functional strength I would absolutely incorporate strongman lifts.

personally, I think I would put myself at a higher back injury risk by purely using a barbell to train.

very true Will , although if i never see another yoke in my life , i wont complain.

yes jack ! I bought a 20" off ebay and taught myself to ride , then got a 26" , i can pretty much go as far as i want but still learning - I wanna be able to hope onto one and just ride it like im riding a 2 wheeled bike , they are f**king tremendous !

Unicycling up/down hills must be tricky!

All sports (non contact) should be good for us older chaps

The most important thing to remember we are not 18 and can not do the stuff we used to do

DO plenty of rehab mobility yoga have lots of rest and sleep a cheeky nap if you can.

Jonny the trouble is we are bipeds so many things that can f**k us up I have been struggling with pain but am working on my weaker areas (gluteus medius or whatever it is) and am gradually getting better

From my one attempt on a unicycle I would say that is a quick way to get F**ked up.