Why the Movements You Avoid Might Be the Ones You Need Most?

Certain movements in training just hit different—and not always in a good way. For me, it’s dumbbell box step-overs, odd-object work, and wall balls. If you’ve trained with me, you’ve probably heard me complain about them more than once. They’ve never been my favorite. In fact, for years, they were the movements that got in my head the most. They made me doubt myself, drained my confidence, and felt like constant reminders of what I wasn’t good at. Even now, they still bring up old emotions. But here’s the truth: I still do them. Even if I don’t love them. Even when they challenge me in ways that other movements don’t. Because I’ve learned that avoiding them doesn’t help me grow—it only holds me back.

There was even a point when I seriously questioned whether I’d ever RX a workout that involved a heavy dumbbell, a loaded barbell, or a high-skill gymnastics movement. It wasn’t just the physical challenge—I had been told more than once that certain movements “weren’t built” for me. That because of my height or body type, some skills would always feel harder. For a while, I believed it. I figured maybe I’d just have to accept that some things were out of reach. But that mindset never sat right with me.

As I kept training, I started noticing a pattern—not just in myself, but in other athletes too. The movements we avoid are usually the ones we’re not good at. And the ones we’re not good at? They’re often the ones we rarely practice. It becomes a cycle of avoidance. But the truth is, a weakness only stays a weakness if we allow it to. The only way to break the cycle is through exposure. When we commit to consistently working on the things we find uncomfortable or unfamiliar, the fear starts to fade. The resistance begins to lessen. It's not talent that separates elite athletes from the rest—it’s time under tension, repetition, and persistence.

You don’t need to be naturally gifted at handstand push-ups to develop capacity in them. You don’t need to be built like a gymnast to get your first ring muscle-up. What you need is the willingness to be uncomfortable, to fail repeatedly, and to keep coming back. The body will learn. The mind will adapt. And confidence will grow—if you give it the reps.

We don’t get better by wishing movements were easier. We get better by showing up for them, again and again.

I’m a strong believer that anything can be learned—yes, anything. Whether it’s a heavy lift, a technical gymnastics skill, or a conditioning piece that used to leave you gasping for air, it becomes more manageable when you choose to face it consistently. It’s not about natural ability or body type; it’s about putting in the work. Time spent failing, adjusting, and learning is what builds progress. Comfort is earned through repetition—and repetition is a choice.

It’s tempting to stay in our lane and keep training the movements we already feel confident in. It feels good to PR a back squat or cruise through a WOD that plays to your strengths. But if we’re serious about being well-rounded athletes, we have to give just as much energy to the things that frustrate us. Every time you work on your weaknesses, you chip away at the fear, the doubt, and that voice in your head that says, “This isn’t for you.”

Progress in these areas often feels slower. You won’t always walk away with a dopamine hit. You might feel stuck. But the long-term reward is more powerful. It's the kind of growth that changes how you see yourself—not just as an athlete, but as someone who doesn’t shy away from challenges. That’s something I carry with me every session now: the understanding that weaknesses aren’t permanent. They’re just underdeveloped skills waiting for more attention, more time, and more intention. We label things as “hard” or “impossible” simply because we haven’t spent enough time with them—yet.

The day you finally RX that movement you once avoided—the first time you float on the rings, string together your toes-to-bar, or land that smooth heavy snatch—that moment feels different. Not because you surprised yourself, but because you proved something to yourself. You chose to lean in when it would’ve been easier to back off.

So, if you're staring at your programming and dreading a particular movement, pay attention to that. That dread is a signal. That discomfort is a compass pointing directly at what you need to train. Don’t just show up for what you love—show up for what challenges you. Show up for the work that doesn’t come easy. Because that’s where the real growth lives. Remember: weaknesses aren’t roadblocks. They’re invitations to evolve.