Wow! thank you!
The test last week was to gauge what weights to start with. It's all a computer program apparently. I feel much better hearing you say I should back up and then move forward. Thank you!

I feel I have lost muscle the last 2-3yrs between RA, fibromyalgia, and the beginning of "age decline". The ONLY thing I can find to increase muscle mass is to strength train. But I don't want to over-exert an already weak muscle. Thankyou!

How old is the trainer??? 22???? there's a lot of difference in how you approach exercise / weight training / cardio when you are close to 50... a person that is YOUNG will never get it until they reach our age.... or if they have ever endured any kind of disease such as RA, CFS, or fibro...those diseases are just very hard on the body...

We have to stay kind to our bodies.... even with the approach of starting to get into shape.. I am very gentle w/ myself and that is against my nature bc when I was young I was very aggressive in the gym and on the track....

I have to listen to my body every DAY... a schedule does NOT tell me what to do that day concerning workout. I do "listen" to my body that tells me how far to walk... whether it be one or two miles... or less... or how much to work out.

Lifting LIGHT weights, yoga, and walking have brought me a LONG way w/ this RA disease and w/ CFS and fibro... but if I do not heed what my body is saying it bites me in the rear every time.
Take care of yourself. Sun

I admire the interest - alright!

you have about three options: nautilus (what I call the injury machines since many hop on and stars hauling away, free weights, and your body weight.

can your trainer model simple life movements like wall sits, gentle standing squats, even the old favorite while watching TV, one leg raises from your comfy chair, hamstring raises that can be done from the comfort of your mattress at home?

the goal for some is to have muscle failure, that's just the point where you can't do reps anymore. but for us of RA land i think the goal should be to do a nice moderate amount of any reps whether they are wrist curls from the kitchen chair or a wall sit to a count of 10 seconds in the shower.

shaking indicates, in my humble opinion, that the dormant muscle groups in play for that particular exercise can not handle the weight and have gone out foraging for other muscles that are injured or not worthy of the work also, and is not good. But if here is a PT or two on the group and they could speak up that would be great. This just comes from a place of having this as a hobby and love for 40 years.

a little mild delayed onset muscle soreness the next day or two after a nice moderate re-entry program would be good.

would you be willing to take a program through a physical therapist if your rheumatologist wrote a script?

PT's are so aweeome because they teach what I think of as real world programs that can be done in your kitchen and living room Then you could transfer this program say if you really wanted to be in a Y to the mats in the exercise room (if you happen to be at a gym) and throw in the recumbent exercise bike if you liked the "gym environment"

irrespecive, I am so proud of you for your desire and willingness. But no, shaking is not good, and if you are going to stick with this trainer, ask him/her get you off the "machines" or dramaically lower the weight until you just have garden variety fatigue at the end of each gentle rep on each set or exercise.

and have some fun, too. :)

Depot

My trainer is probably in her 30s. Her mom has RA but I think she doesn't understand her mom's disease because she refers to RA like it's OA.

I love the idea of a physical therapist training me. The place I'm in is called koko fit club. It's even got an arthritis track to follow, which is what I'm doing.
I can override the computer program and it will adapt. (the computer is more the trainer. The trainers aren't certified trainers I think) I am not sore today at all and was sure I would be. It seems that the weight was too high to get enough rep benefit.

My goal is just to rebuild the muscle I've lost. I lost 35lbs a couple of years ago after diagnosis but have gained 10 back - and it's all belly gain. My legs must have taken a hit from both muscle loss through diet and sedentary living for the last two years.

I would love to train with a physical therapist. My rheumatologist is who said exercise is the best choice for my fibro/ra as long as I'm not inflamed or in a flare. He suggested water aerobics but it's just not my thing. I just want to get it done.

The cardio part to this is already a joke and I have to adjust. The treadmill program goes up to 11 degrees at 4.0mph! I increase my walking (I refuse to do more than walk) to a max of 3mph at 5degrees and then back right off even before he says to stop. It's a 15min program on the treadmill.

On Monday, I'll override the computer and reduce weights for the leg press. I really appreciate your encouragement Sun and Depot! (and Buddha)!

Once you build up your strength then the shakiness will subside..

And you can just keep telling everyone for Arnold Schwarneggar to eat his heart out-you will have bigger muscles than him :)