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Tag: coaching (Page 1 of 3)

Learning How to Fix Lifting Technique

Humans are complex, and movement can be complicated. Why does your client always bend over when they do squats? Why do they do that weird thing with their back on some days? How can they understand it more simply?

Fixing movement is simple: make the wrong stuff look right.

Okay, smart guy, but how do I know what is wrong?

THAT’S the hard part.

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My Biggest Programming Pivot Since Moving to the Bay

It’s important to identify what you cannot do.

This post is NOT a comparison of private sector coaching and collegiate coaching. I have not worked in a collegiate setting.

This post is NOT a comparison of training athletes and general population clients.

What’s the biggest change I’ve had to make? How has my career shifting after leaving the private sector (and Indianapolis) and moving into corporate wellness (mostly).

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You’re a Trip, Man

Have you ever gone on a cross-country road trip? Just you, a bag of clothes, and a car?

Have you ever spent extended time alone? On purpose?

A few years ago, I got in my car and started driving west. I’m a creature of comfort. My family is easy to be around. My friends and I have great discussion. I was coaching in a gym that meant so much to me and was a HUGE piece of my development… both as a human, and a coach.

But I needed to break the cycle. I needed to get more UNcomfortable. If I didn’t, I would never grow… at least as much as I expected from myself.

I drove out to Denver, CO from Indy in two days. I stayed at a sketchy hotel on the way out there (there was a sign that said, “Best Western is not responsible if your things are stolen”). I met some Airbnb people and finally saw what mountains look like (this just in: they’re gorgeous). I even went HIKING.

Now that trip… THAT was an experience.

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What to Do When Your Knee Hurts While Deadlifting

tl;dr
Knees hurt sometimes. It’s okay. Try to improve your form (details below). If that doesn’t work, try a different exercise like split squats, step ups, or lunges.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Medical Disclaimer
  3. Why Does Your Knee Hurt?
    1. What is knee pain?
    2. What is the deadlift?
    3. Analyzing your deadlift
      1. View your deadlift from the side
        1. Round back
        2. Arched back
        3. Balanced feet
      2. View your deadlift from behind
        1. Knee caved in
        2. Knee splayed out
        3. Hip shift
  4. Fixing Your Deadlift
    1. Fix knee alignment
      1. Feet stay flat
      2. Hip-knee-ankle inline
    2. Fix hips shifting
      1. Hips twisting
      2. Side shifting
    3. Start from scratch
  5. Modify the Plan
    1. Why are you deadlifting?
    2. Try single leg exercise
    3. Switch up your workouts
  6. Stress Management
    1. What is stress?
    2. Sleep
    3. Nutrition
    4. Mental health
  7. Hire a professional
  8. Summary

Introduction

Sometimes our bodies don’t hold up as well as we wish they would.

Even just last night I went for a walk and limped the last half of it because of my knee. And I’m 28 years old! (at the time of writing this)

Why is pain such a pain?

Due to my own creaky joints, I tend to specialize in training people with aches and pains. When it comes to helping my clients, fixing poor technique is always first on my mind. Bad exercise form can stress your body in ways that your mind does NOT appreciate.

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