We call it adaptation, and the idea is to push hard enough to get whatever results you crave without getting hurt. — There’s reckless training that leads to injury. Then there’s pointless busy work that leads nowhere. Somewhere in between lives Challenge. And just beyond that, progress. We call it adaptation, and the idea is to push hard enough to get whatever results you crave without overreaching, overtraining, and getting hurt.

Do your toes uncontrollably turn out as you squat? — So when you squat, your feet move. It isn’t intentional, and you probably don’t even notice. But it’s a problem. Rooted, firm, powerful; that’s the goal. But it’s more flimsily and weak, a shack built upon sand. And try as we might, we can’t finish a single squat with…

A little bit of extra care goes a long way. — Squatting isn’t enough. Not when it comes to curing knee pain. A squatting addiction, in fact, often causes knee dysfunction. Especially squatting badly. Unfortunately, not squatting enough is equally harmful. The solution could be squatting better, and maybe that’s always the goal, no matter how spectacular the squat. But…

That odd feeling is the body’s way of saying we must get after it, not run from it. — You know the spot. It doesn’t hurt, not really. But if someone asked, you’d say it feels “different.” Or “not right.” Then, you set to task and treat your “spot” like glass. And not because it hurts, because you think it might. That’s called apprehension, and like pain, it’s…

It’s not a one size fits all. More like a specific order of exercises to help relieve eager traps. — Brute force rarely works when it comes to sketchy shoulders. Neither does extreme focus or simply reminding ourselves about critical points of performance. That’s where correctives come in — specific exercises that don’t rely on words or endless work but encourage correct sequencing and appropriate movement.

Take a few extra minutes today to perform better tomorrow. — Imagine taking your bike out for a spin. Not a pedal-pedal bike, either — vroom vroom bike. Of course, you ride it like you stole it because why else would you have a bike capable of going to the moon and back in seconds? Once you’ve had your fill…

There’s no guarantee, but doing something is better than doing nothing. — There’s a good chance you have a bulging disc if you’re over forty. How good? Let’s say the literature isn’t exactly precise, but good. Maybe 50-percent. Maybe more. Interestingly, there’s a good chance you wouldn’t even know. How good? Again, we’re all tired of false studies and misleading statistics…

It’s quite the gift. — There are worse things than busting out your teeth. Never risking your teeth to begin with being chief among them. It doesn’t seem like the truth. Not during anyway. Not at the point of impact and not after. Then you get back out there, bruised and afraid. And try…

It’s not sexy. It’s not unique. It just works. — It’s easier to ignore it. To rationalize, justify, and flat-out assume it will disappear. Because it doesn’t “hurt.” It’s just annoying. It’s just uncomfortable. It’s just THERE. Until it isn’t. Until whatever the issue is won’t be denied, and that little nothing turns into something you’re forced to deal…