After more than 30 years of working as a personal trainer , it’s safe to say I’ve tried and prescribed virtually every type of exercise you can think of. From kettlebell to dumbbell to barbell to suspension trainer exercises via steel maces, medicine balls, calisthenics, resistance bands, sandbags, and gymnastic rings—I really have used them all.

With this huge library of exercise options behind me, I always have the right tool for my clients’ training goals. Plus, knowing a lot of different exercises means I can keep my workouts fresh and interesting, which research suggests is critical for long-term adherence ( 1 ).

As such, I don’t tend to think of exercises as good or bad. Instead, I focus on risk vs. reward. Some potentially iffy exercises are worth doing because of the prospect

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