During a workout this week, a client (and friend) expressed a concern for modifying a particularly difficult exercise. Through gulps of air, she said she didn't want to modify because she didn't want to fail in front of me.
Wait. Hold up.
First, and most importantly, you can fail in front of me anytime without judgement, ever. Exercise is hard. Change is hard. We are a team and we will succeed together and fail together.
Second, exercise modification is never failure. Modifications are intentional, smart decisions made to ensure safe, efficient and effective movement. Performing an exercise incorrectly, too fast, or with too much weight not only increases the risk of injury but also diminishes the beneficial muscular action.
Modification requires...
An understanding of your current fitness level.
A recognition of your strengths and weaknesses.
An acknowledgment that quality of movement is superior to quantity of movement.
An allowance for future growth and development
An Example!
I choose a common push-up modification placing my knees hip distance apart on the floor. I do this for two reasons. First, I am prone to strains in my neck and right trap/shoulder and full push-ups significantly increase the likelihood of injury. I've found modifying to my knees improves my head position and reduces the extraneous strain to these sensitive areas. Second, I opt for tricep push-ups (elbows pulled into ribs); the knee modification
allows for full range of motion (chest to floor) while also effectively isolating the weaker tricep muscles.
Can I do a full push-up? Yes.
Do I chose a modification for safety? Absolutely.
Is this failure? Unequivocally, No.