Why January Training Causes Injuries and How to Prepare Your Body the Right Way

Greg Goldberger • January 7, 2026

How mobility, stability, and recovery set the foundation for a successful training year

January motivation is high—but so is the risk of injury.

In this kickoff episode of the Movement Driven Podcast, Dr. Greg breaks down why injuries spike at the start of the year and how athletes and active adults can avoid becoming part of that statistic. Whether you’re returning to the gym, increasing mileage, chasing PRs, or starting a brand-new training cycle, this episode helps you assess whether your body is truly ready for more.

We cover how to evaluate readiness before increasing volume or intensity, the role mobility, stability, and tissue capacity play in long-term performance, and simple self-checks you can use at home or in the gym. You’ll also learn when a professional movement assessment actually matters—and why waiting for pain to show up is often too late.

This episode is especially relevant for CrossFit and HIIT athletes, runners, and baseball players heading into offseason or pre-season training—but the principles apply to anyone who wants to train smarter, stay consistent, and avoid setbacks in the new year.

Start 2026 with momentum, not injuries.

Listen now, available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube. 
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