Are you balls-to-the-wall on your workout?
Or… do you teach balls-to-the-walls fitness… with no exceptions?
Here’s the truth: We are all full of exceptions.
In fact, many people are more exceptions than the rules.
It takes real thinking outside of the box to get to a place where you can be in a workout or teach a workout while really totally understanding that some people may need different exercises or exercise options in order to be successful.
Example: Back Issues
Many people struggle with back issues. Past surgeries, injuries, etc. make the spinal area extra delicate. And, trust me, you don’t want to mess with back issues.
So, what do you do when the movement is too much for the back? Maybe a load on the shoulders doesn’t work, a plank is too much pressure on the lower back, or a twist isn’t possible?
Are you able to quickly recover and adjust the exercise for that person?
- change the load to the side
- put your knees under your hips
- remove the twist and focus on stability
Example: Shoulder Issues
Shoulders are fickle. They can get too tight, too rolled forward, or have a limited range due to injuries, etc. What happens when you are doing shoulder work that might hinder this person’s shoulder recovery? Can you quickly find another shoulder exercise that works better?
Of course you can! It’s not just dumbing down the exercise; it’s finding something that works better. AND, we have to remember, that many times, shoulder mobility issues are shoulder flexibility issues. So can you help with some shoulder stretching today?
Example: Core Issues
I have built a global brand based on core issues. A lot of professionals will come to my space and say “oh; that’s just for the women who just had a baby.”
Wrong, my friend.
People have core mobility and stability issues all through life, for all kinds of reasons, and forcing them into movement or exercises that are forceful doesn’t make the issue any better. In fact, you could be making the issue worse.
Take a few minutes today and review some of my material on the whys and hows of core stability, and consider being an ABC Method Instructor. It’s highly likely that a quarter of your client base is struggling with these issues, and they don’t know it or don’t know how to articulate it.