Mike Boyle- The Worst Exercises for Adults

In this episode of The Strength Coach Podcast, host Anthony Randa sits down with renowned strength coach Mike Boyle to dissect what he considers the 'worst exercises' for adults—back squats, Romanian deadlifts, hip thrusts, and sprinting—arguing that these movements often prioritize aesthetics or maximal strength over real-world functionality and long-term joint health. Boyle emphasizes that while squatting and hip hinge patterns are essential for daily life, the traditional back squat and heavy bilateral lifts are frequently performed with poor form, especially in the general adult population, making them high-risk, low-reward. He advocates for safer, more functional alternatives like goblet squats, split squats, and unilateral work, which better mimic real-life movements and reduce injury risk. The conversation also explores how training philosophy has evolved, with Boyle reflecting on the shift from workshops and books to social media as the primary platform for influence, and how his controversial opinions continue to spark debate—particularly among younger, fitness-obsessed men who are both his largest audience and his most vocal critics. Despite the backlash, Boyle remains committed to his message, viewing social media as a necessary, albeit challenging, tool for modern education.