WHAT THE CIRCUS TAUGHT ME

Table of Contents

• Narratives

• The Literature

• Featured Content

• Stretch With Me

NARRATIVES
WHAT THE CIRCUS TAUGHT ME

For the past four years, I've always been the most flexible person in the room—until I visited the Las Vegas Circus Center.

Stepping onto their gym floor, I was surrounded by athletes who were more flexible, dedicated, and stronger than I could imagine. Naturally, I thought I could keep up. I mean, I can do the splits… right?

It's been 11 days, and I'm still sore. Imagine two barbells on the floor, one foot and one hand on each. As the barbells roll apart, you hang on while splitting closer to the ground. After five sets, I finally managed to bounce my pelvis on the floor in an oversplit, with my legs still elevated. My friend Nathan made this look easy…

I never thought I'd attempt this, let alone succeed. But the biggest takeaway wasn't the oversplit—it was the motivation I gained from training alongside world-class circus athletes.

One day, I hope to be half as capable as they are. What an incredible, humbling experience.

Are you not sure where to start your fitness journey? Please check out my premium training programs at Ganbaru. Be sure to use code FLEXY to get 50% off memberships!

Stay Flexy!

THE LITERATURE
IS NECK PAIN NOT ABOUT STIFFNESS?

This study questions the idea that neck stiffness causes neck pain. Researchers compared 20 women with chronic nonspecific neck pain (pain without a clear cause) to 18 pain-free women using shear wave elastography to measure muscle stiffness. Surprisingly, both groups had similar muscle stiffness, suggesting stiffness isn’t the root cause of neck pain.

Key Takeaways:

• Perceived vs. Actual Stiffness - Feeling stiff doesn’t mean your muscles are stiff, as shown by similar stiffness levels in both groups.

• No Impact on Mobility - Muscle stiffness had no significant effect on neck range of motion.

• Unknown Causes of Perceived Stiffness - We still don’t know why people with chronic pain feel stiff when objective measures don’t reflect it.

Practical Uses:

• Rethink Neck Pain Causes - Pain might stem from sensory or motor control issues, not just stiffness.

• Choose Strengthening Over Stiffness Remedies - Exercises focusing on strength and function may be more effective than those targeting stiffness reduction.

• Individualized Treatments Matter - Personalized approaches are key, as stiffness-focused remedies may not address your specific pain.

Limitations:

• Measurement Challenges - Stiffness varies with measurement direction, which can lead to inconsistent results.

• Data Variability - High variability in results makes it harder to draw firm conclusions.

• Cross-Sectional Design - The study only captured a single moment in time, so it doesn’t show how stiffness or pain might evolve.

The Bottom Line:

This study reinforces the idea that neck stiffness doesn’t directly cause neck pain or limit mobility. While it’s not a game-changer, it adds to growing evidence that stiffness and pain are influenced by more complex factors, like sensory feedback or motor control. If you’re dealing with neck pain, focus on strengthening and movement-based therapies while we wait for more research to provide clearer answers.

I actually have a Neck Mobility Routine on my second channel, @WorkoutsbyDavid, in case you’re interested!

Reference:

Dieterich, A. V., Yavuz, U. Ş., Petzke, F., Nordez, A., & Falla, D. (2020). Neck Muscle Stiffness Measured With Shear Wave Elastography in Women With Chronic Nonspecific Neck Pain. The Journal of orthopaedic and sports physical therapy, 50(4), 179–188. https://doi.org/10.2519/jospt.2020.8821

FEATURED CONTENT
FAT LOSS, MENTAL HEALTH & INSANE CHALLENGES

Chris Williamson recently interviewed Will Tennyson, who opened up about imposter syndrome and finding validation in his work. He shared how pursuing his passions—like creating content and pushing himself—has led to amazing opportunities, even when he felt undeserving.

I can relate to that mix of gratitude and disbelief when your passion starts to pay off, and you’re still learning to celebrate wins while staying grounded.

It’s inspiring how he’s embraced being himself, even when self-doubt creeps in. Hearing someone speak so honestly about navigating success while staying authentic reminds me to keep pursuing what I love for the right reasons and trust the process.

STRETCH WITH ME
5 MIN HIP MOBILITY ROUTINE

Tight hips? Only have five minutes to stretch? No problem, I have the perfect 5-minute hip routine for you! Subscribe to the second YouTube channel for more content like this @WorkoutsbyDavid

YOUR VOICE MATTERS
GOT A FLEXY GOAL?

We want to hear about your current flexibility goal. I’m sure we can help you achieve it. Thank you for participating!