Overcoming Is Learning to Be Strong

Amanda Thebe, DVRT Master (Fit N’ Chips)

What I love most about our DVRT Ultimate Sandbag Training community is that we have such diversity of people. That means that when one of us is posed with a challenging case we have so many different professionals to seek out advice, input, and just general support. Such a thing happened to my good friend and fellow DVRT Master, Michele Meinville Decerio.

Michele asked myself and fellow DVRT Master, Joe Chalakee for some advice on quite a challenging situation. I could tell how badly she wants to help EVERYONE she comes in contact with, no matter what the person is dealing with. She asked me, “I have a new client who has degeneration from C4-C7, with a bone spur and also major inflammation at C5.  She doesn’t want to have surgery. Has put on weight because she can’t workout without hurting herself.  How do you think DVRT Ultimate Sandbag Training can help her?”

Wow! That is a tough one. I told her to make sure that any exercise would be okay with her doctor. When she came back with the thumbs up (always make sure you get clearance from a doctor!), she was still wondering could she help this woman. 

We worked on this together for a solution that was multi-faceted, as is most solutions.

Michele had spent time discussing all the issues with the client, and determined that they would work to strengthen her core and back with a lot of restorative movements, with a view to releasing and gaining movement back through neck. Bearing in mind she could only use light weights, with no overhead movements.

A program was developed using both the Ultimate Sandbag Training and TRX (nice combo right?!). Michele found that the Ultimate Sandbags were a huge advantage for her as the she was able to create so many movements that increase the effectiveness of the movement without having to go up in weight, think changing holding positions or foot positions, all of this without it affecting her neck.

Some of the exercises we included were; Bear Hug or Bucket Hold Squats, Front Loaded Good Mornings, Side Planks and Single Leg Bridges with Chops. All movements require control, stability and help increase range of motion in a safe and effective manner.

The client recently went back to visit her doctors for an epidural and was told that although she was slightly inflamed, he’s never seen her inflammation so little and told her to keep doing what she’s doing! In addition to this she is gaining strength faster all without straining her neck. It is a real testament to the effectiveness of the DVRT Ultimate Sandbag Training system for real life situations.

It’s a wonderful story, and Michele is very proud of her client’s achievements. Here is a sample of the workout, try it and let us know what you think!