"One size does not fit all" . . .
I have been in the fitness industry for over 20 years. I have seen trends come and go . . . I have tried the latest fitness fads and personally experienced how it makes my mind and body feel, whether 'good' or 'bad'.
I am here to tell you that there is no "cookie cutter" training program that works for everyone . . .
About 3+ years ago, I trained and coached programs that consisted of a variety of movements. A lot of these movements were very dynamic - push-ups, pull-ups, burpees, jumps, etc, and over time my joints started to feel ruined. I was hurting everyday, sore every day and my outdoor activities were compromised.
From there I went into a more rehabilitative training program, which consisted of mobility work to improve the range of motion in my shoulder, specifically, but also in my hip from an injury I had while kayaking. My mobility work consisted of foam rolling and ROM movements. Along with mobility, I added stability work for my shoulders and my core. This work consisted of resistance band exercises and light weight movements. Once I felt stronger and pain-free, I added strength back into the picture.
Strength workouts evolved into the traditional weight lifting routines, but focused on strengthening muscles in my posterior body to help my shoulders and hips.
After over a year of traditional strength training - shoulder presses, squats, lunges, tricep extensions, etc - I decided to try changing things up again. Basically, I got a week into my training and my shoulder 'red flagged' me to stop. My new phase of training was taking me back to the wall balls, push-ups, pull-ups, burpees, etc, and even though I felt stronger doing these movements, within just a few days my shoulder felt destroyed.
So, where am I going with this . . . I'm not here to bash any type of training. Instead, I'm here to encourage you to find what works for you. Here are some "red flags" that you should find another training program:
1. You are constantly sore and your quality of life and sport suffer.
2. Your body aches.
3. Your joints hurt (no it's not old age . . . if your body hurts, it's telling you that something is wrong). You do NOT have to hurt.
4. You do a training program just because it's "what the cool kids do".
5. You are mentally, physically and emotionally stressed by this training program. Any type of stress causes negative impacts on your body.
6. You aren't challenged enough. Find something that challenges you, but doesn't HURT you.
Here is when you know you've found the perfect program for YOU:
1. You enjoy doing it!
2. It makes you feel BETTER instead of WORSE.
3. You look forward to the training program.
4. You are feeling and seeing progress.
5. It compliments your daily activities.
If someone asks me, "what is the best program to lose weight and get fit", it's not a simple answer. First, I take into consideration all the previous injuries, exercise history, interests, range of motion, flexibility, etc. What is a good program for one person, is NOT going to be a good program for another person. That is why personal coaching is so vital for your success.
Okay, well as excited as I was to get into a different phase of training, my body is requesting that I continue with what I've been doing with the added bonus of continuing to find the root cause of the shoulder malfunction and work on those areas. Bottom line folks, "listen to your body". Life doesn't have to be spent sore, achey or in pain. AND . . . embrace the journey that your body is asking you to do.
Your coach,
Heather
