Coach’s Corner. Real coaching moments to help you move better.
During our recent Strength Challenge inside Wavemakers, John noticed a few things. His left hip felt weaker and less mobile than his right, and his arthritic thumb didn’t like using water gloves and hand buoys together. Instead of deciding the workout wasn’t right for him, he made a plan. Next time, he’d use gloves or hand buoys. Not both.
John learned something about his body, and he knew exactly what he’d change next time.
I love that. Because sometimes the most important thing you gain from a workout isn’t something you can measure right away. It’s knowing what works for you.
What makes it so hard to keep exercising?
Consistency can feel easy.
And it can feel impossible.
When you enjoy what you’re doing, notice it’s making a difference, or believe it’s helping you get somewhere you want to go, it’s much easier to keep doing it.
Eventually, it becomes part of your routine.
You don’t have to think so hard about whether you’re going.
You. Just. Do.
But when you’re dealing with pain, an injury, or a body that doesn’t move the way it once did, exercise can feel like another attempt to solve a problem. You search for the right exercise. The one for your hip. The one for your shoulder. The movement that will finally make things feel better.
And when you don’t notice the results you’re hoping for, it’s hard to build enough momentum to try again.
That’s why recognizing success in your workouts matters so much.
A successful workout doesn’t have to be perfect
John wasn’t the only one putting something I teach in every workout into practice: listen to your body, make adjustments, and learn from what you feel. JoAnn had to modify the workouts for her right hip and knee. She couldn’t do every exercise exactly as demonstrated, but she kept practicing and finding what worked for her.
After completing the challenge, she wrote, “I am stronger!!!”
Her physical therapist had noticed that her walk had changed from a hitch in her right leg to a smoother gait, even while carrying an 18-pound weight. She credited the strength challenge along with her regular physical therapy exercises.
Success looks different with every pool visit.
Sometimes you’ll discover that a smaller range feels better. One side needs more attention. You can work harder than you thought. Or something that felt difficult last week is becoming easier.
These are the discoveries that give you something to build on.
The next time you get in the pool, try asking yourself one simple question:
What worked for me today?
Then carry that answer into your next workout.
That’s how you begin to make progress you can feel. And when you recognize that your efforts are making a difference, it’s easier to keep coming back.
John had a reason to return. He knew what he’d try differently next time. And JoAnn’s experience shows us what that continued practice can lead to—changes you notice beyond the pool.
That’s what I want for you. Not just to finish another workout, but to feel the difference your workouts are making in your everyday life.