Playing = Training = Healing

I'd like you to imagine two physical activities.

They both require time, energy, strength, skill, mental focus, and willpower.

The difference is that you enjoy one and dread (or begrudgingly accept) the other.  

What are they?

Play and Exercise.

Why do such similar activities create such opposite emotions?

To an athlete, the answer is simple - you exercise so that you can play.

In other words, you don't enjoy exercise so much as you enjoy what exercise makes you capable of.

And this works well enough...for athletes.

But what about "regular folk" who don't have a serious sport or hobby to train for?

Having worked in fitness for over 20 years I can tell you one thing for certain: if you DON'T have a compelling reason to exercise beyond "being healthy" or "feeling better" you simply won't do it.

There must be an element of fun in the process of building strength, otherwise it's all stick and no carrot.

So my answer for "normal people" who need to heal their joints and regain autonomy in their lives but DON'T want to play sports is this:

Turn Exercise into Play.

In our programs we encourage clients to do this several ways:

1) "Gamify" your daily living tasks.  Look at each "normal" task you perform throughout the day - brushing teeth, getting in/out of the car, etc. - as a chance to "brush up" on your movement skills.  Perform these tasks with more intention, focus, and muscular engagement, and you'll trigger the same cascade of positive hormones and healing processes that pure exercise does.  Add a balance or mobility task (standing one leg, exploring a stretch, etc.) to otherwise mundane acts and suddenly you're "playing" with them more than simply "doing" them.

2) Create a "skill-based" rehab routine.  During my latest injury recovery (torn rotator cuff) I've reconnected with several skills and hobbies that I've modified so as to constitute a full rehab program by themselves.  Archery, rock climbing, swordplay, and shadowboxing are all skills I enjoy that, when done at a low to moderate level, continue to heal my shoulder in ways that never feel like "work."  I other words, I "playhab."

3) Don't workout.  Take movement breaks.  One of the big breakthroughs in exercise science in the last 15 years is the discovery that "microworkouts" consisting of less than 2 minutes of moderate intensity exercise can deliver many of the same benefits that longer workouts do, especially at the rehabilitative (aka joint repair) end of things.  Our clients use this knowledge to slip little bits of practice into their otherwise busy days, especially the ones that don't allow for a clear hour of practice, and still make progress.  Even better, without the pressure of doing "an entire workout," they actually start looking forward to these little movement breaks as a pleasurable way to "refresh" their brains and bodies wherever they happen to be.

These are all ways to make exercise feel more playful, which is the key to sticking to it for the long haul.

-Coach Seanobi, BS, CSCS, CEP, CPT

PS - Whenever you're ready, here are three ways I can help you:

1) Join The Joint Repair Forum.  Our Facebook Group for individuals who want to learn, share, and collaborate on all things Joint Repair. In 2024 we're also going to hold monthly Live Chats where I'll be on hand to troubleshoot your thorniest joint healing issues.  Join today!

2) Watch my latest training

If you want to see how I teach my clients to rebuild connective tissue and heal joint pain, then watch this.

3) Book a FREE Movement Strategy Call

Sick and tired of joint pain keeping you from your favorite movements? Tried all the workouts and e-books and supplements and still not happy with your results?  You’re likely closer to the solution than you think IF you can make a few key changes to your training.  Book a free call so we can discuss the best steps for you to take. Click here to schedule your call now.