Weight lifting with CKD (Stg. 4)

[KrazyKYFan]

Over the last five years, since I was diagnosed with CKD, I have lost quite a bit of muscle thanks to not only CKD but also a partial foot amputation I had at the time. I'm interested in building my upper body strength back up, especially in my arms, shoulders, and chest. I'm tired of looking skinny and frail. Any advice from those that have tried strength training with CKD?

[Marvin8]

There's very little in-depth research on how much weight lifting is too much. My nephrologist suggested that if I can do 15 reps in a set, I'm fine. Does he have any research to back it up? Absolutely not.

[KrazyKYFan in reply to Marvin8]

Yeah there really should be more research done. I'm not looking to try to win any competitions I just want to add muscle and feel strong/normal again.

[Marvin8 in reply to KrazyKYFan]

Trust me, I completely understand. I'd love to put on 5-10lbs of solid muscle and I'd be more than happy.

[Skeptix in reply to Marvin8]

If I put on 10 lbs of solid muscle I'd look like Russell Crowe in Gladiator!

[Marvin8 in reply to Skeptix]

You and me both, especially since I only weigh 145lbs to begin with.

[Skeptix in reply to Marvin8]

😆

[Sarah_402 in reply to Skeptix]

You crack me up Skeptix!

[Skeptix in reply to Sarah_402]

CKD can be a hoot sometimes!

Unfortunately for my abs, exercise is second only to water on my list of intense dislikes. The nearest I'd get to Marvin8's idea of a 6 pack is the type that goes 'pssst' when you open them.

😀

[Sharam]

I lost 20 lbs or so after I quit bodybuilding and started my plant-based diet... I really have the same question cause I look like a walking skeleton now. They just say no strenuous exercise...

[KrazyKYFan in reply to Sharam]

Yeah man it gets confusing. I've seen research studies talking about "light" strength trainnig being beneficial to kidney health but nothing on trying to build back muscle instead of just "toning" up. I want to add muscle, and I know in order to do so I am going to have to increase the weight as I go along. I guess the part that would be concerning is the increased creatine levels that come as a result of heavy lifting. It would be a matter of risks vs. benfits. I don't want to look like Arnold or Lou Ferrigno - I just want to add some so that I feel strong and normal again.

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

I would be very hesitant to do heavy lifting because as you said the creatinine issue. What about resistance training. I am not a body builder, just the opposite. But when I saw the Doctor in June she was concerned about muscle loss. She suggested resistance training and then for me because I have bad arthritis, water therapy. I train with a Physical Therapist 2 times a week for over an hour each and have been for two months. Really made a difference for me, but then I am not skinny.

[Sarah_402]

I got really into weight lifting after I was diagnosed with a medical problem that adding muscle was part of the treatment to help the circulation in my body. To my surprise I became quite addicted to the weight room. That was a few years ago, and now I'm finding out that I also have kidney disease. My nephrologist told me as long as I do not supplement protein and go by the (0.8 grams of protein x weight in "kg") for how much protein I consume, then I am fine to continue weight lifting. That's about 25 grams less protein than what I was consuming before. And I put on quite a lot of muscle without huge amounts of protein and lifting lower weights, but I'm a woman. Now I am feeling weaker, maybe because of the lower protein, more plant based diet. I already can't finish as many sets or reps as I use to. Because of my other medical problem, I've decided to continue but scale it back and now train for muscle tone. See what your physician opinion is because mine could be wrong, and who knows if the nephrologists agree with each other.

[Marvin8 in reply to Sarah_402]

They do NOT agree with each other and as I've mentioned before, there's no research on the subject. Why? Because there's no money in it.

[Sarah_402 in reply to Marvin8]

Oh man...it figures. I wish they knew....

[Marvin8 in reply to Sarah_402]

You and me both. It's a hugely important issue for us. CKD patients tend to lose muscle over time and it'd be nice to have some idea of what a safe threshold is for resistance training. Playing around 5 lb weights ain't gonna cut it for most folks...aside from the elderly.

[Deanof316 in reply to Marvin8]

Hi, I was lifting about 80% of my previous IRM (1 Repetition Maximum) after 6 months of getting my PD catheter put in a year ago. Eg if I was Bench Pressing 100kg /220lbs at eGFR of 10, I was pressing 80kg for 1-3 reps on PD.

I avoided exercises that could cause me a hernia such as deadlifts and Barbell back squats. Instead I did heavy and safe unilateral exercises like the Bulgarian Split Squat for 10-12 rep sets.

*IMPORTANT: If on PD exercise when dry to avoid intra-abdiminal pressure which can increase your risk of a hernia.

Everyone is different but I think the 5-10lbs 'rule' is stupid and ridiculous unless you're recovering from a surgery. Listen to your body. The Doctors don't know.

MY STORY: I was a natural bodybuilder. Born with Primary FSGS. Biopsy diagnosed in 2007 at 23. Told I had 5years until ESRF. I lasted until December 2020 with eGFR of 9...14 years, not 5. Even then I felt fine. Started PD. Was told to do 4 bags a day. Preserved my peritoneum by doing 2 bags a day CAPD. Got the call 19 days ago that a deceased donor kidney was available for me! I'm now 2 weeks post transplant and the hardest thing is not being able to lift weights for 8-12 weeks as I recover. Apparently my rectus abdominis AKA abs, were "too muscular" lol, so they had to cut right right through them. Tacrolimus and prednisone and cellcept now....that plus years of elevated parathyroid...I'm very aware of bone density loss, heavy weight bearing exercise (+ perhaps D3 and Vitamin K2 M7) will help ward against that. I am 37 now. A PERSONAL TRAINER since 2007. I intend to be lifting again and in my best shape ever within 6-9 months from now, prednisone etc be damned.

I am aware that creatinine levels will rise a bit due to holding more muscle mass etc but again as long as protein is kept to 0.8-1g/kg and you are eating healthy it will be ok. Also as CKD and Transplant patients we are 20-50x more likely to get CVD...so lift, run, swim and help your heart!!!

Best of luck to you!

Dean

[Marvin8 in reply to Deanof316]

Thanks for all that awesome inform, Dean. Congrats on the new kidney!! May it serve you well for many years to come. The context of my comment above is how much can safely be lifted in order to prevent a decrease in the kidney function of those who in stage 4 and above. Be well.

[KrazyKYFan]

First off I want to say congratulations on getting your transplant! That is amazing news and I wish you the best in recovery and getting back into the gym! Your post is the only one I have seen where someone has done weight lifting while having CKD and it gives me hope. I'm 40 yrs old and used to work in law enforcement and since I have left that field due to CKD and health reasons I have lost so much of my arm and upper body strength. I have a partial foot amputation so I have to be mindful of what I do with my lower body but I am really wanting to build the muscle and strength in my chest, arms, shoulders, and forearms. Too bad you don't live near me as I would defintely hire you as my trainer. I'm not at dialysis stage yet - my EGFR numbers seem to hover in the low-mid 20's and I am trying my best to keep them there. Your words and thoughts are very encouraging and I appreciate your input. Again, wishing you the best of luck in your recovery!