DOES MAKING AN EXERCISE MORE CHALLENGING NECESSARILY MAKE IT BETTER?

I recently posted this somewhat sarcastic, though dead-ass serious tweet: 

Almost immediately I received a valid response:

"why?"

I proceeded to answer this question in a series of 4 tweets:

I'm not convinced that I did a good job of explaining "why" #ILookTheOtherWayWhen I see people doing squats on an uneven surface at the gym. Here's my 2nd attempt to respond... 

my point:

Strength needs to be a priority. Young, old, athletic or not, building strength will help you. Making an exercise more challenging to execute might look cool but it can compromise its ability to help you build strength.

This is the case when you try to do squats on a balance contraption. You sacrifice the amount of weight you can move with perfect form because of the uneven surface. Now, your strength building potential is curbed. 

Uneven surface training has its place. Its place is not, however, to take over for stable surface strength building strategies. Oh by the way, a lack of balance is often traced back to a lack of strength. 

IF YOU LIKED WHAT YOU READ HERE, BE SURE TO SHARE IT. IF YOU DIDN'T BE SURE TO TELL US HOW WE CAN DO BETTER NEXT TIME!  

@tdathletesedge #TDAE #training #fitness #workout

Tim DiFrancesco, PT, DPT, ATC, CSCS is the Head Strength & Conditioning Coach of the Los Angeles Lakers and founder of TD Athletes Edge.  He is nationally renowned for his evidence-based and scientific approach to fitness, training, nutrition, and recovery for athletes and fitness enthusiasts.

For training and nutrition advice, follow us on:
• Twitter http://twitter.com/tdathletesedge
• Facebook http://www.facebook.com/tdathletesedge
• Instagram http://instagram.com/tdathletesedge
• YouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/tdifranc1
• Sign up for our newsletter and follow our blog at http://www.tdathletesedge.com