02/06/2026
I used to back squat. I spent years telling myself that using a Smith machine was cheating and that if I wasn’t back squatting, I wasn’t training properly.
Then life happened.
I herniated three discs, found out I had a pars defect, had a couple more pregnancies, spent years carrying babies, and now have recurring pain and hip/SI weakness. It means I have to be a little smarter about exercise selection.
Could I still force myself under a barbell? Yes. But it never ends well.
Maturing has taught me that training isn’t about proving a point. It’s about getting the stimulus with the lowest possible cost.
For me right now, exercises like the Smith machine squat, leg press and split squats allow me to train my legs hard, build strength and muscle, and recover better without my lower back being the limiting factor or triggering the domino effect of pain I’ve worked so hard to recover from.
The “best” exercise is the one that gets you closer to your goal while respecting your individual circumstances.
Being strong isn’t about lifting the heaviest barbell. It’s about leaving your ego at the door and choosing what your body needs.
