Exercises to Avoid

Alright, you got me! You’ve managed to push my buttons and inspire me to write this blog post. Today, I want to talk about some exercises that are a definite no-go for me. Now, as with any exercise, whether it's good or not depends on a variety of factors - the person, the purpose, and the overall goal. But let me tell you, there are some exercises out there that are just plain bad news, and I want to call them out. So, let's dive in and start with my first pick: the dreaded canoeist Russian twi

1. Russian Twists

Unless you're a canoeist or wrestler, these twists, especially with added weight, are just not worth it. Weighted twisting is a surefire way to harm your spine. Now, if you're an athlete that requires a lot of twisting, it might make sense to include it in your training with control while considering how it fits into your overall plan. But for the rest of us, it's not worth the risk. We want to feel good, look good, and enjoy life to the fullest. Being injured is a major roadblock, and that's wh

2. Burpees

Now, this is going to be a crowd favorite. I fully comprehend why burpees are given as an exercise as it is a way to get someone's heart rate up and improve their fitness, without the need for any special equipment. The act of getting up and down from the ground can be quite tiring and that's why people opt for burpees.

Let me be real with you, as someone with low blood pressure, just getting up and down off the ground can make me see stars. So the thought of adding an explosive jump to that? It's a miracle I haven't knocked myself out on a nearby bench. But enough about me, let's talk about why burpees might not be the best choice for you either. First off, you need to be able to put your hands on the ground with your knees bent - not everyone has the hip mobility for that. And if you're compensating by flexin

Now, some people will try to convince you that jumping with a flexed spine is natural and totally safe. But let's be real, those people probably don't spend their days at a desk or have any mobility issues. However, if your goal is to get up off the ground quickly for sports like wrestling or rugby, burpees could be a valuable tool. And if you're short on equipment and just want to get your heart rate up, they can serve a purpose there too. But for the rest of us, maybe it's time to explore some

I've experienced instructors who assign excessive burpees of 100-200 a time without ever having completed the full workout themselves. This leads to a painful soreness that discourages participants from coming back. The issue is not with burpees as an exercise, but with relying on it too heavily. Unless it's part of a larger plan, you want to break the world record or it’s for competition purposes, good luck to you. I, personally, won't be partaking in a burpee challenge.

3. Heavy-Weighted Bulgarian Split Squats

Let's talk about an exercise that makes me scratch my head in disbelief when I see it programmed: the weighted Bulgarian split squat. Don't get me wrong, it's a fantastic movement for single leg strength and balance. But here's the problem - the position of having one leg tucked behind and hitting depth in

the lunge can cause a slight splitting motion in the pelvis. And for females, especially during certain times of the month, there can be extra looseness around the sacroiliac joint. So, loading up this movement with heavy weights should not be a goal.