It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Sound familiar? July of 2018 was just that for me. I am a 45-year-old high school teacher and a father of three. So, summertime is a great training time for me; lots of time to train, recover, condition, eat properly, workout with my kids, and set personal records. But it also, in hindsight, is a time that I can push myself too hard. In the middle of the best 5/3/1 wave I have done in 10 years, I tore three tendons of my rotator cuff completely off the bone. So, here I am four months into my year of rehabbing this injury, and I am so thankful for the products from elitefts to help me to get back to 100%!
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So, my Christmas list will be in two parts. Part one will be all of the stuff I already have from elitefts that is helping me to get better and that I would recommend to anyone, especially those recovering from shoulder surgery. Part two will be all of the stuff I still want to get from elitefts.
Part One
1. SS Yoke Bar
This is the number-one tool I have been able to use: the SS Yoke Bar. Even with my arm in a sling, I was able to squat and do good mornings. This has me training what I can train as hard as I can!
2. Texas Power Bar
This awesome bar with deep knurling in the center has allowed me to one-arm deadlift as best as I can and to be in the gym doing something.
3. Pro Micro Resistance Band
These bands are a staple of my rehab training. Internal/external rotation, pull-aparts, tricep pushdowns, and extensions at various angles are all great exercises that I can high rep the hell out of and still safely get a pump in my upper body.
4. elitefts GHR – Deluxe GHR
Another great training tool that has allowed me to train without using my shoulder. A must-have for any gym.
5. Gray Train Zip Hood
I love this hoodie! The zipper front has allowed me to wear a hoodie without having to raise my injured shoulder. Plus, it looks pretty cool!
6. elitefts Head/Neck Harness
Lifting weights without using your shoulder is limited, and it sucks. But at least I could still do it!
Part Two
1. American Press Bar
I can’t use this bar yet, but I can’t wait to! The various handles with a neutral grip are shoulder friendly and will be a key tool in my return to serious upper body lifting.
2. elitefts Red Shoulder Saver Pad
This will be another awesome tool for me to get back on the bench press train. I read about many of the great lifters on this site using these, so I want to give it a try, too.
3. Focus Trust Strength T-shirt
4. Lift Long Sleeve Tee
5. Arch Tee
I am getting all of my kids, who lift as well, T-shirts and long-sleeved Tees from elitefts. They have been great with helping Dad around the house while I am recovering. And while I am at it, I will probably get myself another Arch Tee….I freakin’ love that design! I already have a bunch, but I guess you can never have too many!
6. elitefts Make-A-Wish eBooks
Christmas is definitely a time when we should all count our blessings. Every time I started to pity myself because of my injury, I stopped and thought about how minor it really is compared with what some other people have to deal with in their lives. I truly appreciate that elitefts does this sort of program. Please consider buying someone in your life one of these eBooks.
So, that wraps up my 2018 Christmas Wish List. I am very grateful for everything I have already gotten from elitefts. And that is most definitely not just the great products. It is the years of reading great content like the training logs and the articles. It is a culture I truly appreciate. Thank you again, Merry Christmas!
Jesse Rosenberger is a 45-year-old high school teacher at Riverside High School and a small gym owner. He is a father of three who has trained using 5/3/1 for over ten years; having written several articles on that topic for this site. His athletic background includes being a four-year starter at a D2 school as an OL, competed in track and field in high school and college, coached college and high football for 19 years and has trained high school and college athletes the last six years.
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