It's All In The Details

When you hit a workout plateau, an often-overlooked training point could unlock that next level for you.

- CAITLIN CARLSON  

The story you are about to read came from a chatty brainstorm among a group of WH editors. But this idea was, to be frank, a happy accident when we got sidetracked discussing all of the little areas of our fitness routines holding us back. Someone said, “I know I can do lunges with heavier dumbbells, but my grip goes before my legs do.…” Another person chimed in, “I’m trying to get stronger in my squat, but my ankles are so tight.…”

We realised: This is the big idea. All these seemingly mini hurdles – grip strength, tight ankles, the list goes on – are training points that actually make a massive difference to how we move and whether we achieve our goals. “Everyone gets excited about working the big muscle groups or how heavy they can lift,” says physiotherapist Kristi Barker. “But if we can understand that it’s about movement quality and making sure all muscles and joints are working well, there will be fewer injuries, better functioning and less pain.”

Sold! These five areas add up to big gains, so we’re focusing on them. Why not join us?

Balance

Great balance is a prerequisite for any kind of weight-bearing strength training. “Without coordination, we won’t be able to move optimally,” explains Barker. “And if we’re not able to get quality movement, we really shouldn’t be loading our joints.”