Stop Demonizing Exercises! 4 Myths DEBUNKED

Everyone has an exercise they LOVE to HATE. And only THEIR way is the right one.

There are lots of things we’re told will basically destroy us if we do them.

Lots of moves that are demonized and blamed for aches and pains.

But honestly…there really are no “bad” moves…just improper usage and implementation of them.

So often we include moves not right for our specific needs or goals. Moves we haven’t earned.

And then we get injured doing them and demonize them…completely avoiding them.

But what we don’t realize is that by doing this, we put ourselves at greater risk for injury in every day life.

So many moves we do in the gym can be a great way to strengthen muscles and movement patterns essential for everyday life.

It’s why instead of simply avoiding moves, we need to regress to progress and learn to retrain as many movement patterns as possible.

We need to understand why aches and pains and the issues occurred in the first place to find variations of moves we can use to move and feel our best.

The gym should be a place to learn to move well and become functionally fitter so we can be strong and independent till our final day on this planet.

That’s why I want to address some exercises I see demonized and break down how to include them and retrain them, such as deadlifts being bad for your back or squats and lunges being bad for your knees…
Or even jumping and high impact being dangerous for us as we get older!

For more about these specific exercises...

00:00 - Intro
01:21 - No Bad Exercises
02:53 - Deadlift Myth
05:20 - Crunches Myth
06:51 - Squat Myth
09:08 - High Impact Myth

[Vlabar]

I'm 50 and I have been taught more bad advice than good advice as it pertains to working out. I've finally discovered what's right and more right.

[lindacgrace]

At age 70, I'm in the best shape I've been in for decades. I have been told that I should NOT do CrossFit high intensity workouts because (a) I'm too old, (b) even if they worked for me at my advanced age, it would only make me bulkier and I would end up making myself less attractive (I'm 5'3", 39" 29" 40", so I figure I'm doing OK - and I do not have the pot belly and hanging turkey neck so many of my friends are burdened with), (c) high intensity is simply too risky at my age because I no longer have the innate capacity to heal from injury. Hah! After my last complete physical, my doctor (not yet age 40) came in with my blood work and said, "Gosh, I wish I had your numbers." I can deadlift my own weight and I can run for half a mile (I can cycle or row for longer). I know women half my age who can't keep up with me! I can run with my dog, garden to my heart's content, and get down to and up from the floor without assistance (still working on a full Asian-style squat - if 90 year olds in Okinawa can manage it, so can I). I love your highly informed and encouraging videos. I'm deeply interested in exercise for life extension, or more accurately, health-span extension, and I am very interested in knowing more about increasing my VO2 max and aerobic capacity in general. I hope you do some videos about that aspect of fitness. eep up the good work! 🙂

[debrawilliams]

Really helpful and informative! Thank you Cori. Nothing makes me crazier than people my age (58) falling into the belief that age restricts them and accepting poor mobility and health. I refuse!! My best life is ahead of me.

[piaruns]

😂 That comment - section-shirt is just awesome 😂. I love your acting! 👍

[RioGirl]

Great info. As a trainer myself, I’m constantly trying to debunk these erroneous beliefs. BTW, your arms look amazing 💪🏼🤩

[claires]

Very helpful! Thanks for posting.

I am so glad you addressed the knees over toes issue. My 8 year healthiversary is coming up. I was taught never to let my knees go over my toes when squatting or lunging and I believed that for the first 5 years or so.

[clombard]

Thank you for this tutorial. I have seen so many people injured themselves from lifting to other types of exercise improperly. Also, I have also heard that at my age (61), that I shouldn't lift so heavy.... Always looking forward to your video, and seeing the babies.

[mellomallowy]

I just had arthroscopic knee surgery with a side of chondral damage removed, realizing that those exercises I avoided because they're "bad" for you could have helped me avoid the injury that led to surgery is frustrating to say the least. Now having to rehab those muscles is hard but a painfully gained lesson. Thank you for your content it has helped me learn so much!!

[Bev]

I recently found your channel, so glad!! Love your way of balance in lifestyle and bubbly personality. I just turned 50 and been training over a decade. Best thing I ever did. ❤ your channel! Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[yootoob]

Loved this one, Cori, esp. the beginning---you have a great sense of humor! Agree with you so much on learning the correct forms or modifications where we can and all the difference instead of completely dropping or changing to a different exercise every single time. Also on board with the idea that we don't just "get too old" for things. I have seen more people both older and younger than myself complain of aches and pains and all sorts from even doing a small amount of anything, and when I suggest that they need to maybe get MORE active instead of less (unless they are severely injured most times, of course), I feel like I have reassure them no, I'm not out of my mind! As someone who has gotten more active in my own life as I've gotten older, I can say I really do believe it's true that it's not necessarily age itself that slows us down, but the idea that we're "supposed to" (quotes intentional) slow down as we age.

Yay for "bad" exercises! 😄 Thank you for always giving us good tips on modifications and alternative moves to work the same groups. It really helps keep workouts balanced.

[danalisa]

Almost all of the “bad” exercises are EXACTLY what you should be doing to avoid or help reverse osteoporosis. The doctors will tell you to do strength training but they really don’t elaborate and they don’t tell you how important high impact training is.

[Savedbygraceu]

I’m so thankful to see this video. It was not a coincidence either. Thank you so much’ 🥰👍🏾👏🏾. By the way, you nails look so pretty!

[RTeresita]

You are my absolute coach ! I m in my 49 and I trained to maintain. Can you please please make some mini series work outs, we can do with lift wheigh? Many thanks for your time and dedication

[christianasampson]

I love your videos, I can’t wait to get back into the gym (whenever that will be), I’m taking your advice in there with me for a safe and healthy restart 👍

[virginialuh]

Amazing information and great reminders! I love the phrase earning the move. I’m going to keep that in mind. Love your approach Corii.

[nancyf]

Thank you so much for this information ❤

[Doktracy]

I’m rehabbing from a tibial plateau fracture. My physical therapist has incorporated squats, lunges, deadlifts and other exercises that I didn’t think I would ever do again, only 2 months out from getting back to full weight bearing!

[Shay_-cqcl]

I started working out with weights over 3 years ago and it is the best thing I’ve done. I’ll be 60 in a few months and never felt better. I don’t do deadlifts or anything that goes on in cross training. Just basic weight training supervised by a trainer. Posture is so important for lifting weights. I highly recommend it for any age.

[tudormiller]

I don't have any weights, or a kettlebell so calisthenics workouts are ideal for me. I also have issues with my lower back & knees, so I avoid sit ups & squats. Great advice Cori.❤

[guyblew]

Very good advice. Great answers for the nai sayers.