Forge Guides

Training advice that reasons
like a clinician.

Practical guides from the two Doctors of Physical Therapy behind Forge — on comebacks, training around discomfort, and programming that adapts to you instead of the other way around.

Comebacks

How to Start Lifting Again After a Layoff (Without Getting Hurt)

Why comebacks fail — and the five pacing rules that make your return stick.

Joe Rivieccio, DPT, OCS, CSCS
Pain-smart training

Knee Pain When You Squat? What to Change Before You Quit

Discomfort is information, not a verdict — the modification ladder a PT walks you through before anyone quits squatting.

John Ribeiro, DPT, OCS
Pain-smart training

Should You Train Through Pain? A PT's Decision Framework

Green, yellow, red — how a clinician decides whether to train through it, modify and monitor, or stop and get it checked.

John Ribeiro, DPT, OCS
Programming

Why Your Program Should Change Every Week

A program that never adapts is barely coaching you — what a good plan should adjust week to week, and why that isn't program-hopping.

Joe Rivieccio, DPT, OCS, CSCS
Pain-smart training

Shoulder Pain When Pressing Overhead? What to Change First

Change the path, not the plan — the modification ladder before you give up overhead pressing.

John Ribeiro, DPT, OCS
Programming

How Many Days a Week Should You Actually Train?

The real answer isn't a number — it's the frequency you can actually hold. How to choose it and structure it.

Joe Rivieccio, DPT, OCS, CSCS
Pain-smart training

Low Back Pain After Deadlifts: What to Change Before You Quit

Coming soon.

John Ribeiro, DPT, OCS