The Smart Strength Advantage

Decision-Making, Durability & Long-Term Performance

“Strong athletes make smart choices.”

“Don’t Shoot!” — Strong Arms Begin with Smart Choices 💪

“Don’t shoot!”

If I had a dollar for every time a coach yelled that because a player forced a bad shot, I’d be rich.

As coaches, we constantly challenge athletes to make better decisions—on the court, on the field, and in competition.
But that same decision-making often disappears in one place athletes spend a lot of time:

The weight room.

You don’t always need the flashiest lift or the hardest exercise to get stronger.
Sometimes, the smartest choice is the simplest one.

Why Exercise Selection Matters

For many young, tight, or underprepared athletes, traditional overhead barbell presses or heavy benching can create more problems than benefits—especially when mobility, control, or training age isn’t there yet.

That doesn’t mean pressing strength isn’t important.
It means how you build it matters.

Training tools aren’t one-size-fits-all.

Just like in a game, forcing a bad shot—even with good intentions—rarely leads to success.

A Smarter Option for Upper-Body Pushing Strength

One of my go-to tools for building pushing strength without sacrificing shoulder health is the Triceps Cable or Tubing Extension.

🎥 Watch the Demo:

This movement isn’t about replacing big lifts forever.
It’s about choosing the right tool at the right time.

Why This Movement Works

Here’s why it earns a place in our programs:

• Builds pressing strength while minimizing stress on the shoulder joint

• Loads the triceps without unnecessary strain on the shoulders or chest

• Easy to scale up or down based on the athlete’s needs

• Portable, low-cost, and simple to implement anywhere

Is it less “functional” than some compound lifts?
Sure—sometimes.

But it shines when:

• You need extra volume without beating up the shoulders

• An athlete is returning from shoulder irritation

• Joint health and long-term durability are the priority

• Heavy pressing simply isn’t the smartest move

Final Thought

Pressing strength matters.
But availability matters more.

Being healthy, durable, and able to compete consistently will always beat lifting the most weight in the gym.

So next time you reach for the barbell and think heavy, ask yourself:

Is this the smartest choice right now?

Be smart.
Be patient.
Build strength that lasts.

— Coach Shelby and The Shelby Trained Team