Training for a 50+ old couple: woman and a man going through chemo/cancer

[SanjayNait]

Introduction (please skip if you hate introductory fluff):
With the help of a very convincing article by Coach Rippetoe, my girlfriend's mother (a 50+ woman nicknamed "Kingslayer") is open to the idea of giving strength training an honest go. It's not like she's ever been against it, I just don't think the idea ever crossed her mind. She has a wonderful proactive personality and she has not surrendered her older years to the belief that they need to be wretched.

My girlfriend's father (aka "Sarge"), on the other hand, has only very recently started looking after himself. I think it's possible strength training may be something he'll consider especially if he sees the danger of his wife being able to deadlift more than he does.

There is one major caveat with Sarge: he is going through chemotherapy for lung cancer. I've read so far that resistance training is good for cancer patients but needs to be approached with care; chemo makes gains very difficult, but more importantly a compromised immune system is a problem in a sweaty gym.

Kingslayer has read the first few chapters of SS and I'm certain she'll read the rest of it, but she said she wants me to teach her to squat and do the lifts. This is scary, despite the fact that my brother and I taught my mother how to deadlift (which I personally believe is more important than the squat). I've watched Coach Baker's "programming for adults" video and his "squats for the elderly" video, but still it's spooky as this is the first time I've ever been able to convince anybody to lift, and I'm very likely to bug this forum with form checks.

Questions
1) Kingslayer (woman) and Sarge (man) are willing to spend on getting the equipment for their home. I believe a quality women's barbell + rogue's squat stand + cheapest bumpers is a sound suggestion, despite the fact that Sarge may get involved in this. I'm saying go for the women's barbell, because it's very likely that Kingslayer may not be able to press a standard barbell, and it may be a long while before either of them may be able to deadlift 225. What do you guys think? Do you have any recommendations?

2) Would it be better for them to stick to a commercial gym? It turns out that the local Gold's Gym (College Station, Tx) has serious lifters and proper barbell equipment. I've been there once, but really my concern has to do with Sarge's chemo/cancer situation.

3) Do you have any experiences with strength training for people going through chemo? Is it a dangerous enterprise altogether?

4) I've read SS:BBT3, just ordered the SS DVD, and seen a couple of Coach Baker's videos about training the elderly. What other resources do you believe I should be acquainted with?

I understand this is a long post, and I appreciate you taking your time to read this and helping me out with my queries.
Sincerely,
Sanjay

[Dave Klopp]

If they decide to workout at home I can recommend this aluminum bar:
http://www.amazon.com/Aluminum-Olymp...cm_cr-mr-title
My partner started out with this bar and she still uses it for warmups for her overhead presses.

Check out Oldmans workout log for someone training going through chemo. The guy is a real inspiration.
books: Practical Programming, 3rd edition, nice section on older lifters

[Charlie Davies]

If they set up a home gym, that will make microloading easier (same bar & plates each time == consistent weight) in addition to the lower risk of infections.

Recovery is what older folks have trouble with. Getting the required protein, calories, and sleep is even more important than for young folks. You might want to hook them up with a whey supplement. I doubt they will be very open to advice from their daughter's boyfriend about sleep hygiene (dark cold room, no alcohol or caffeine close to bedtime, etc), but maybe you could very respectfully mention the issue and then drop it :-)

[Gwyn Brookes]

Definitely check out Oldman's log and I would also PM him for advice. You don't need a women's Olympic bar. Those are for the Olympic lifts, and the main feature is that they are more slender, so smaller hands can hook grip. Get a regular 45 pound or 20kg bar, and also get the 15 pound bar that keeptryn recommended for any lifts that need a lighter bar.

[SanjayNait]

Followup
Kingslayer used to be adamant that she was never able to squat. It only took me telling her "This is no time to be a lady, spread your legs and make room for your torso." She almost immediately was able to do squats of very impressive depth. Her form still needs work but it's a good start just to get her to be comfortable with certain parts of the motion. I told her to do 3x5 3 times a week unloaded and to take as long as she needs between sets.

It turns out Sarge saw this and started doing them as well. In terms of attitude these are very good results so far. They're both hating the concept of having to go somewhere to lift weights so they're pretty set on the home gym.

Responses
Firstly, let me tell you all that your responses are helpful and encouraging.

keeptryn: I'll read practical programming again and have started on Oldmans log. It's funny; the thought of using amazon to search for equipment didn't cross my mind. The Aluminium bar looks like a splendid idea.

cwd: It turns out Kingslayer can be "OCD" about some things and loves regimentation. She'll have no trouble following recovery instructions. I wouldn't dare give firm instructions to Sarge, but Kingslayer might end up doing my dirty work for me. I don't use Whey supplements myself, but a friend of mine does so I'll ask him for recommendations.

Gwynn: I cannot quite justify suggesting they get the 45lber as well just yet. They both want to take it slow and the aluminium bar claims that it can be loaded to 200lb. At the pace they want to go it would be quite a while before the 45 lb bar will be a necessity. Am I wrong in thinking this?

I'll keep you posted on how this goes.
Sincerely,
Sanjay

[SanjayNait]

It has been a long while since last I posted on this forum. The truth is sadness has occurred. Sarge passed away in August. Life has slowly been moving back to what Kingslayer refers to as "A New Normal."

Kingslayer has been doing her unloaded squats but her aluminum barbell (the one recommended by keeptryn) is going to be delivered today. For the moment, I need to figure out some quick way to make some type of economical temporary squat stand for her, but we can start with some dead lifts. She is reluctant to purchase a full power rack at this moment because she is afraid she won't stick with it. I believe this is a fair decision.

The death of Sarge has hit hard. This was a good man.

[Bill Quick]

My condolences. Now get to work increasing Kingslayer's strength so she last for a long, long time yet.

[bluebutton]

My condolences to the family.

Amazon has some inexpensive squat stands if you don't want to build something out of wood (which at under 200lbs would work fine).

half rack-- http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DPLXYPY/
squat stands-- http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006CW02ZS

There's also using saw horses and beginning the first rep from the bottom of the squat.

I will say that I did a no-rack program for the beginning of the year (front squats, deadlifts, and presses) and was pleased with the results in the sense that some squatting is better than nothing. However, you do need to know how to power clean unless someone is strong enough to hand you the weights for the press and FS.

[SanjayNait]

My short term solution for the squat stand was going to be that bucket, concrete and wood solution that looks ghastly but I hear works well.

Something like this:
http://www.endofthreefitness.com/cro...h-press-stand/

It costs around $50.00 to make. Nobody is comfortable with the idea of her lifting alone so I'll be there to help her guide the bar on and off the rack. Has anybody used something of the sort? If she sticks with it for a year, I'm sure she'll be willing to spend the money on a proper rack.

[dgc]

My short term solution for the squat stand was going to be that bucket, concrete and wood solution that looks ghastly but I hear works well.

Something like this:
http://www.endofthreefitness.com/cro...h-press-stand/

It costs around $50.00 to make. Nobody is comfortable with the idea of her lifting alone so I'll be there to help her guide the bar on and off the rack. Has anybody used something of the sort? If she sticks with it for a year, I'm sure she'll be willing to spend the money on a proper rack.

If she lost her husband i would think that a short time in a commercial gym would be in order.Being around people would be nice.