Blog | Health | Nutrition & Recovery How to Keep Getting Strong Against All Odds

Author / John

2 - 4 minutes read

Training around limitations: Finding solutions to keep progressing.

We all face limitations at some point, whether it’s due to injury, limited range of motion, or even a lack of equipment. The key isn’t to let these obstacles become roadblocks, but to find creative ways to work around them. For example, I have a bone spur that limits knee mobility but that doesn’t mean I have stopped squatting altogether. It just means I need to modify my approach to keep making progress despite the challenge.

Stay Flexible and Adaptable

Too often, people adopt an “all or nothing” mindset when they encounter these setbacks. Maybe they can’t perform a specific movement or don’t have access to a certain piece of equipment, so they throw in the towel. But that’s not how you get better. Instead of giving up, the real question should be: “What can I do?” There are always options, whether it’s swapping out a movement for something that achieves a similar result or adjusting your environment to better suit your needs. Training programs may suggest specific exercises and equipment, but the reality is not everyone has access to the same tools. The trick is to stay flexible and adaptable.

At the end of the day, everyone has some kind of limitation, whether it’s a physical issue or a lack of resources. The goal is to not let those limitations derail your progress. Maybe your gym doesn’t have a leg press machine, or your shoulder’s acting up and pressing movements are off the table for a while. You can always find alternatives that keep you moving forward.

Be Resilient

It’s all about staying resourceful and creative in your approach. Don’t focus on what you can’t do. Focus on what you CAN do and make the most of it. By being adaptable and persistent, you ensure that progress never stops, no matter the circumstances.

Your limitations don’t define you, your approach does. If you want to see what that looks like in action, check out our training programs and start training smarter, stronger, and without compromise.

Be resilient. Keep pushing forward. Don’t let anything hold you back.

John

John Welbourn is CEO of Power Athlete and host of Power Athlete Radio. He is a 9 year starter and veteran of the NFL. John was drafted with the 97th pick in 1999 NFL Draft and went on to be a starter for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1999-2003, appearing in 3 NFC Championship games, and for starter for the Kansas City Chiefs from 2004-2007. In 2008, he played with the New England Patriots until an injury ended his season early with him retiring in 2009. Over the course of his career, John has started over 100 games and has 10 play-off appearances. He was a four year lettermen while playing football at the University of California at Berkeley. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in Rhetoric in 1998. John has worked with the MLB, NFL, NHL, Olympic athletes and Military. He travels the world lecturing on performance and nutrition and records his podcast, Power Athlete Radio, every week with over 800 episodes spanning 13 years. You can catch up with John as his personal blog, Talk To Me Johnnie, on social media @johnwelbourn or at Power Athlete Radio.