Hi friends,

Despite what you might hear, there's rarely such a thing as a "bad" exercise—this is just a shortcut answer to a complex topic.

One expert might warn that "overhead pressing will destroy your rotator cuff!" while another insists "overhead pressing is great for everyone's shoulders!"

So, how do we make sense of this conflicting advice?

The truth is simple: no exercise is universally good or bad. What matters is the person's anatomy, physiology, goals, technique, and training experience.

You'll likely get hurt if you haven't done an overhead press in 15 years and suddenly try to lift maximum weight.

But if you've been practicing with proper technique and gradually increasing weight, overhead pressing can build shoulder resilience.

As the saying goes, the dose makes the poison.

Instead of labeling exercises as "good" or "bad," focus on what truly matters:

• Proper form

• Appropriate weight progression

• Adequate recovery between sessions

When in doubt, consult a movement specialist—like a physical therapist or strength coach—to learn proper form and programming for your goals.

Until next week,

Kevin

✍️ Quote I’m reflecting upon

"Do you want to be right or happy? You can’t be both."

— Marshall B. Rosenberg