If it Ain't Broke Don't Fix It

 Just had a real eye opening week training a client who has been doing Krav Maga for some years now. Krav Maga is an Isreali form of lethal martial arts. The interesting thing to me wasn't her Krav Maga level of expertise but she participates in one of my circuit training classes and seemingly has the basic "damaged by the fitness industry" squat. During a quick assessment she squats back into her heels, pulls her upper body forward, keeps her knees behind her feet and only drops her hips into a shallow squat. To me it didn't add up. She is a martial artist and outdoor activity enthusiasts. So why is she squatting like the typical aerobic instructor??

 Turns out she did take some fitness group classes some time ago and the instructor showed her how to squat to keep her knees safe. We talked a bit and she showed me some of her Krav Maga moves. Turns out the rules of squatting like an aerobic instructor were thrown out for the demonstration. She easily maneuvered into low attack and defense positions where the knee twist, tilt and extends past the foot. So the "safe" squats were just for fitness...and nothing else.


 So, I let her know she should forget all the fitness rules her fitness instructors have told her and just do the training. So, she was able to lunge deeply and squat almost to the floor in great form without being limited by the ridiculous rules of mainstream fitness industry. She was so advanced with the exercises that after class I asked her to try a few one leg squat exercises I picked up from Pavel Tsatsouline. She did not disappoint. After a few tries she was able lower herself in a deep pistol squat, roll back some and sit on the floor, roll forward and pistol squat back to the start position. I really can't take much credit for teaching her this. A few cues here and there and she was all set. The thing is she already had the raw potential.

  My fear about this is there are trainers, coaches and instructors out there trying to fix something that's not broken. A real limiting obstacle for clients looking for optimal mobility and strength.