Mike Boyle Advices
“If you have an injury and you are wondering whether or not a certain exercise is appropriate, ask yourself a simple question: Does it hurt?” Michael Boyle. Michael Boyle is known internationally for his pioneering work in the field of Strength & Conditioning and is regarded as one of the top experts in the area for Sports Performance Training.
It’s a very sound advice, right! Indeed, yes. Yet we can neglect these cues. For example, in my early days of strength training I cared less about injuries. In other words, I worried less when I knew an injury was around the corner. The youthfulness in me said to push the body to its limit. It was easy to get carried away. Well now I regret doing so for it was mindless. After 18 years of lifting weights, now, I am careful about the warning signals that my body provides. Although even now I have a tendency to push my body to the extreme. Nonetheless, as Boyle judiciously says I am, most of the times, careful not to push when something hurts. I take a step back.
Moreover, rehabilitation is not the word you want to think when injured. First things first–it would be better to not further worsen the injured part. When you realize that you should not worsen the injured part know that rehabilitation has already set in. However, how do you not worsen it? Remember what Boyle says. He says, “whether or not a certain exercise is appropriate.” If your answer to the question whether it hurts is YES, it pains, the exercise is not conducive, then don’t do it. It doesn’t matter even you think that the particular exercise is the be all and end all.
I believe this to be one of the most intelligent advices you can receive on strength training. However, don’t mind for you will not heed to this advice if you have not stumbled upon an injury. You will understand the gravity of the situation better if you were injured grievously.