### It's All About HOW You Move###By PAIGE MCCLEES PT, DPT

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AS THE FITNESS INDUSTRY GROWS IN THE US, it can be overwhelming trying to decide which workout is best among the ever-changing exercise fads. I often get asked “what is the best exercise to do that is effective but safe/healthy for my body?” I always answer the exact same way: “There is no bad exercise, just exercise done badly”. When we perform exercise movements but do them in abnormal or incorrect ways, we set ourselves up for sub-optimal results, and more seriously, injuries over time. Therefore, it should be about HOW we move not what we choose for exercise. Long distance running, cycling, Pilates, boxing and Cross Fit all have wonderful benefits in different ways. It’s what we make of each movement that produces desired benefits and helps us continue to progress towards our goals. It’s important to remember that each exercise requires different amounts of motion, strength and motor control. I’m excited to share with you three ways to ensure that you are focusing on the HOW when partaking in your favorite exercise routine.1. Find out what movements are required for your preferred method of exercise and make sure you participate in general stretching and strengthening in order to support those motions. If unsure of what will be most helpful, seek the advice and services of a movement professional such as a physical therapist, athletic trainer, or strength and conditioning coach. 2. A quick evaluation can be performed to find out your baseline function, flexibility and strength. We identify areas to help improve your performance. Most importantly we ensure optimal form to reduce the risk of unwanted aches and pains. If issues arise during training, seek out the advice of a healthcare professional before attempting to “ work through pain”. It is always recommended before starting an exercise program to consult with your physician.3. Discover the benefits of true recovery days in addition to restorative practices such as soft tissue work including massage, dry needling, cupping, foam rolling and some forms of yoga. Our bodies require down time to gain the results we’re after. Our “off days” are when we repair, rebuild, and strengthen our muscles. Down time also resets our body so that the next workout is more effective, yielding better outcomes over time. I love to use Normatec Recovery Boots for lower body recovery after a long run or intense leg days to decrease muscle recovery time, reduce soreness between sessions, reduce inflammation and water retention, along with increasing blood flow and circulation. I provide Normatec sessions, in addition to my other services, to my clients and drop-in customers for some R&R post exercise. *As a licensed, board-certified physical therapist and certified Pilates, Lagree Fitness, and Barre instructor, Paige is excited to continue to empower her clients to reach their full potential. For more information on how you can ensure that your fitness and wellness plan works both with you and for you, visit her new fitness studio, PM Method Physical Therapy and Pilates, located in the heart of English Village. She works with each client to develop a personalized therapy and exercise plan that yields results to meet their unique goals. Learn more at thepmmethod.com or by visiting us on Instagram at @pmmethod. P: (205)874-9990*