The why and the how

The ‘Why’ Is as Important as the ‘How’

A man came up to me at the gym while I was doing really high step-ups.

He looked concerned.

“Excuse me,” he said, “I don’t think you should be stepping up that high . You’ll rupture your ACL.”

Ah, the unsolicited-advice-giver. Every gym has one.

So I asked him, politely but curiously, why he thought that would cause an injury.

See, in my training philosophy, I don’t just exercise for exercise’s sake. I train for life. For adventure. For the moments that happen outside the gym walls. I want my knees to bend more than 45 degrees because I plan on climbing mountains : specifically, the Dolomites. I want to be able to hang, twist, lunge, scramble, and balance .. because that’s what real life asks of us.

Sure, maybe I’ve seen too many Everest movies, and yes, I’ve imagined myself clinging to a cliff face with chalk on my hands. I may even buy one of those rock-climbing harnesses purely for aesthetics. But hey, I’ll look very outdoorsy chic while training for it.

Anyway, back to my new gym friend.

I started asking him questions (trainer brain can’t help it):

“How long have you been training?”

“Who taught you?”

“What’s your warm-up routine?”

The answers were… enlightening.

No one had taught him.

He’s been training off and on since he was a kid.

No warm-up.He just “walks to gym brisquely” and then dives straight into lifting heavy.

That’s how his body builds muscle, apparently .. by surprising it daily.

Fascinating. Truly.

But here’s where science steps in , and where people like Dr Stacy Sims and Dr Kelly Starrett make me feel a little less like the crazy lady doing step-ups to the ceiling.

Dr Sims reminds us that “women are not small men”. Our physiology - from hormones to connective tissue , changes how we adapt to training, recover, and build strength. For women in midlife especially, loading through full ranges of motion and challenging joints under control actually improves resilience and joint health. Restricting movement to ‘safe’ partial ranges? That’s often the thing that leads to stiffness, imbalance, and injury later.

Not to mention the benefit of high weighted step ups for improving bone density if jumping isn’t appropriate due to pelvic floor issues. 

And Kelly Starrett, the mobility guru himself, would back me up too: movement should prepare you for life’s unpredictable demands. He calls it “being durable” , building a body that’s adaptable, not fragile. Training balance, mobility, and control through deep movement patterns helps us stay capable whether we’re hiking mountains or carrying groceries up the stairs.

So when I do high step-ups, it’s not ego -it’s application. I’m rehearsing for real life.

That’s my why.

Everyone has their own version of it. Some people train for aesthetics, some for competition, some just to clear their head. But knowing your why gives your training purpose , and purpose gives it longevity.

My new gym friend wasn’t wrong to have his way; it’s just not my way. And that’s okay. We all have our own philosophies, shaped by our experiences and goals.

But me? I’ll stick with science, with movement that makes sense for my body and my future.

And when I’m standing at the top of the Dolomites - strong knees, sturdy legs, and a smile wider than the mountain range , I’ll silently thank Dr Sims, Dr Starrett, and every set of step-ups that got me there.

Lesson of the day:

Everyone’s got an opinion.

Everyone’s got a how.

But your why , that’s what keeps you moving.

See you in the Dolomites.