new tattoo and exercise?

Question

I want to get a lower back tatto but am conserned I will have to take time off from the gym while it heals. Is that true and if so how long?

Answer 1

One week should do it...

Answer 2

To add to the above (good info, and since I asked a similar question yesterday I'll consider these answers honorarily mine as well):

One thing is that chances are it'll be two sittings - one for the outlining, and another for the shading/fill-in/coloring. Maybe more or less depending on size.

I've found that I can return to the gym after a tracing pretty quickly; maybe a week or a little more, depending on where & how much that area gets used. For fill-in, though, I've waited two+ weeks. Once I'm past the first peel I can do at least cardiovascular, but no bench pressing buicks until I can comfortably do normal stretching and a light set (~1/2 to 3/4 normal weight). :)

One more thing: moisturizing the area *lightly* right beforehand, as normal, seems to help with skin flexibility & comfort. As always, take my advice with a grain of salt; tattoo artists, especially the one who'd do the work, should have more weight put to their statements than mine. I also tend to heal pretty quickly on just about everything.

Answer 3

It would depend on what you do at the gym. Excercising will not hurt it unless you are stretching the area frequently or sweating profusely on it, anything that requires your back to be stretched out or sweating on a seat would not be good. The best thing would be to take a break or do other excercises that wont affect it. Jogging would probably not damage your back whereas situps or crunches might not be a good idea.

Partly because you dont want to cover a fresh tattoo and you also would not want to put your fresh tattoo on a germ infested bench either. Also if you stretch it too much you risk breaking the scab and causing it to come off early so you will have to get a touch up.

How long you take off is entirely upto you and hwo your body heals. If you don't scab and your entire piece peels and flakes in a couple of days as long as its not tender you should be good to go. If its really scabby and takes two weeks to calm down then two weeks it is. DONT SWIM for at least 2/3 weeks though. As nice as it is to dive in after a work out avoid the pool, lots of nice germs and it will also pull the colour out of your piece.

Answer 4

It depends on your body and your pain tolerance. Mine didn't bother me after the first 24 hours. But I have a chronic pain condition, so I'm ALWAYS in pain and the tattoo guy had said I would probably be that way with it. I've heard of some people takign a few weeks to heal and tolerate it though. May also depend on the size you get and on teh skill of the artist.

Answer 5

make sure you get some one that has been tattooing for a while. not some hot shot new guy. as for healing every body heals at different rates you should know yourself. the first few days i would take it ease but you should be able to go back to your routine with in a few days. but i don't recommend any long dips in the pool or hot tub until it is completely healed.

Answer 6

I just had a lower back piece done and yes, I have to lay off exercising for about 2-3 weeks my artist said. It sucks, but it's worth it in the end.

Answer 7

My sisters friend got one and she said it hurt for about 2-3 weeks. She says it VERY PAINFUL! but she said after 2 or 3 weeks you'll be fine. Good luck with getting the tattoo

Answer 8

it's best not to get on workout equipment with other people's germs and stuff. plus the movement and stuff could aggravate it. i would wait until it is completely healed (2 weeks at least) you could probably still walk or run but i would take it easy so your tattoo will heal properly.

Answer 9

try waiting a week then starting with a slower work out (walking is best) then when its 100% healed u can go back :P

Answer 10

That's OK, a break won't kill you. It is worth it, you wouldn't want to mess up your new back piece would you?