The story is I have a muscular disease the wreaked havoc on my core and trunk muscles. As a result, other muscles are over developed and "take over" for those muscles. For example, but forearms and wrist hurt way before I can get any burning or anything in my chest or upper arms. My calves & ankles hurt before anything else. Is there a way I can work my core muscles, shoulders, chest, back and gluts without putting strain on those the distal muscles? Also, all the muscles (chest back core) are very weak, so I can't really do certain exercises.

Thanks!

Lacie - I would go to a personal trainer or physiotherapist who specialises in rehabilitation. Yes, it will cost, but it would probably be well worth it. I reckon someone would need to see and feel how your muscles work and work with you to come up with the right recommendation.

Probably something you could look into is water aerobics. It gives your joints a break as well as work out the targeted muscle groups. I did water aerobics for a summer and it was pretty cool, even as a 20 something lol.