A fitness program fashioned for firefighters is a fantastic idea, and I believe HIE covers it. The physical exertion of firefighting is fundamentally similar to the work performed by professional movers. While a certain level of strength is requisite, it is the application of muscular power that firefighters rely on to perform acts of might where time is of the essence. HIE illuminates the difference between strength and power and applies it to the program. Erratic sleep-wake cycles can be a hormonal liability for firefighters, and represents part of the sacrifice they make to protect us from disaster.

I was a fan, too, until the injury. I’m not sure it was that particular exercise that caused the only weight training related injury I sustained during nearly a quarter-century of lifting, but you get my point. The cumulative stress of regularly performing overhead pressing exercises can cause rotator cuff problems. I didn’t mention it in HIE along with countless others because it wasn’t good enough to make the roster of recommended exercises nor bad enough to make the blacklist of exercises to be avoided.