The O15 workout has worked as physical therapy for my torn rotator cuff. My range of motion hasn’t been this good in years and I really believe that the traditional workouts I used to do seriously limited my range of motion.
More than anything else, O15 emphasizes form over the amount of weight lifted, as opposed to traditional workouts that do not put enough emphasis on a safe and effective alignment. My previous workouts left my shoulders sore and clicking for hours and days after a chest workout.
With O15, there is no post exercise pain in the joint, just in the muscle where it belongs. I never worry about possible rotator cuff damage anymore. In the right alignment, I’m able to workout more intensely than I could before since there is no extreme joint pain to stop me. Because there is no moving to perform repetitions, I have no inflammation in my joints to hinder my workout and I can workout with full confidence that my high intensity workout will not lead to further injury. There is no need to baby my shoulder anymore.
For example, when I do a chest workout, my back is flat and shoulders are completely down and back. With such strict form, it makes it impossible for my shoulder to be exposed to re-injury. Because of this challenging but safe alignment and the consistent contraction performed while holding the weight rather than moving through the contraction, I can workout with much less weight and it seems heavier than it really is. This is such a huge advantage. My torn rotator cuff is now working comfortably to support 50 lb dumbbells when before, my shoulder was dangerously subjected to the pressure of a 235 lb barbell to get the same effect in the chest muscles. The proper alignment is the reason for the intensity of my workout, not the weight I am lifting so I can get the most challenging workout possible in the safest way. I’ve been able to reach my goals despite my injury rather than stick to the sidelines and let all my hard work waste away.
