Personal Trainer, Fitness Educator, and Web Developer
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.
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.
Continue readingHave you ever been uninspired to go to the gym?
Maybe the gym isn’t the place you should be going.
Yesterday, I convinced my siblings to go to the nearby school with me and play soccer. Then I made them pose awkwardly so I could tell the internet about it.
I wanted to exercise, but I didn’t want traditional gym stuff. I needed something fun and unpredictable.
Stuff like this 2v2 soccer game gets undervalued by the analytical-minded. I’ve fallen into this trap before. But if four unskilled Goykes can go play soccer and get their hearts pumping, maybe that’s a viable substitute to structured training.
It doesn’t matter what skill level you are; it’s still fun, and you still get a workout. So feelings of incompetence are not valid excuses. NOT IN MY HOUSE!
Take my youngest sister, for instance.
Rylie very much dislikes exercise. She’s even told us, “Face it, guys. I’m just not meant to exercise.”
If you want to ride a roller coaster of emotion, listen to your sister tell you that. Gives me shivers just thinking about it.
This was her last night at my Team Training group class (yes, we got her to get up and move around twice in one day).
The fact that she’s capable of that fake smile while doing a plank shows how far she’s come. Someone who has never liked exercise is started to think maybe it could be okay.
My goal for her is NOT perfect exercise technique, but enjoyment of the exercise experience. Does technique play into that? Yes, because I need to manage the pain she feels. This negative emotion combats the positive emotions I want her to have. Otherwise, technique is on the backburner.
We’ve got miles to go with her, but we’ve come lightyears.
Next time you’re feeling like Rylie, try something new. All you need is a bike, a ball, and ground.
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