One leg or not?

[ChemProf]

I mentioned in another post that I tore my Achilles tendon and I have had surgery to repair the damage. The recovery period is 2 - 4 months and the doctor told me it would probably be at least 6 months before I could do squats again. I am walking around on crutches and still plan on training. My big question is should I train my good leg with a variety of leg presses, leg extensions, leg curls and calf raises or just train upper body? I don't want to creat too much of an imbalance but feel as if I should train my good leg if it is able. Why let it atrophy? Any thought or opinions are greatly appreciated.

[jona67]

I would still train the other leg. I read that when Branch Warren tore his bicep (i think...) he still trained the other side of his upper body. and he maintained the size on the injured side... just a thought.

[ChemProf]

Thanks for the input. I heard a similar story but wasn't sure if it was true.

[bgben3]

I've had surgery on my knee twice and on my shoulder once. I don't think training your one good leg is a bad idea, but when I was in the healing process I chose not to. If your training the good leg to maintain what you have its probably ok. The reason I chose not to was because I didn't want my good leg or arm when I tore my shoulder to become dominate over the other. Because as you heal up and your leg gets stronger over time. If you have the one leg that became dominate in the future your always going to lean toward that leg for most of the work. Over a long period of time it could start to show.

[rantorcha]

Mar 8, 2010 14:51:31 GMT -5 @jona67 said:

I would still train the other leg. I read that when Branch Warren tore his bicep (i think...) he still trained the other side of his upper body. and he maintained the size on the injured side... just a thought.

I read the same thing. I would try that. It makes sense that it stimulates the neuropathways.

[proteinshake03]

Yeah I don't see why not.