The 5 most beautiful words in the English language: it doesn’t hurt any more.
 
I am neither a physical therapist nor a rehab expert. But often pain is caused by weakness. Building strength is how I can help people reduce pain.
 
For example, as I always do, I checked in with a client before starting our workout so I could determine what, if any modifications would be needed.
 
"How’s your shoulder?"
--- It doesn’t hurt any more.
 
"How’s your lower back?"
--- It doesn’t hurt any more.
 
"How’s your knee?"
--- It doesn’t hurt any more. It hasn’t hurt since we started working together.
 
The 5 most beautiful words in the English language: it doesn’t hurt any more.

 Failure is good!
 
Lifters sometimes train to failure. For maximal strength gains, occasionally attempting a lift you know you cannot perform challenges every muscle fiber and sets you up to successfully make that lift in the future.
 
Before you try this at home: you must be able to lower the weight with control. This is called a negative. And you must have a capable spotter, unlike the guy in the cartoon above.
 
Viewing failure as a goal is an attitude adjustment you can take outside the gym, too.
 
“Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor.” ― Truman Capote

People often ask me, “What’s the secret to making progress in strength training?” In a word: consistency.

Working out once a week, or once every two or three weeks, just doesn’t cut it. Your body needs time and repetition to adapt to the physiological stress caused by exercise.
 
A successful fitness program is progressive, meaning it builds, systematically, on previous sessions.
 
You need to do strength training 2-3 times a week, week after week, month after month, with just an occasional week off to rest your body. Those who make progress make time to work out.
 
Notice I did not say, “find time” to work out, because if you’re passively looking for the time, you won’t find it. You have to make the time, by scheduling it, on a regular basis, in your calendar.
 
My clients know that I’ve blocked off times in my week for my own workouts, and that I treat them with the sanctity of a doctor’s appointment. In fact, the only appointment I will schedule in those time slots are for medical appointments that I can’t schedule any other time. I’ve followed this practice for 20 years. Trust me, it works.