Garrett Mclaughlin

10/06/2025

🏃‍♂️ Did you know that 50–60% of running-related injuries are caused by training errors? That means most injuries aren’t just about your form—they’re about how you’re running week to week. Increasing mileage too quickly or adding too much intensity is often the hidden culprit behind nagging aches in your knees, shins, or hips.

At Pure Movement, we specialize in helping runners in Portage and Kalamazoo stay healthy, strong, and pain-free. When a runner comes to us with an injury, we don’t just look at biomechanics. We dig deeper into their training plan—because that’s often where the problem starts.

Here’s how we approach it:
1️⃣ Running Form Analysis – We break down your gait to identify inefficiencies and subtle issues that may cause pain.
2️⃣ Strength, Mobility, & Biomechanics – Weaknesses or tight areas can create compensations that increase injury risk.
3️⃣ Recovery Assessment – Sleep, stress, and nutrition all impact your ability to handle training loads.
4️⃣ Training Plan Evaluation – We review weekly mileage, intensity, and progression to prevent overuse injuries.

When all four areas are addressed, runners can return to the sport they love without recurring pain.

If you’ve been struggling with running pain, don’t guess—get a plan backed by science and personalized coaching. Our team can help you rebuild your running safely and efficiently.

➡️ Schedule a running analysis or injury prevention session today: www.pure-movement.com/contact.

09/27/2025

Fall in Michigan might be my favorite time of year 🍁 — the colors, the crisp air, and the endless trails to explore.

We’ve been preparing for a trip out west (Montana & Wyoming) and decided to invest in a hiking backpack for the little dude 👶. Naturally, we had to test it out — first up north in Ludington/Manistee, and lately trekking through Al Sabo in Kalamazoo.

The leaves will soon be changing, the trails are quiet, and it’s been the perfect way to combine family time, fitness, and a little adventure. Hiking checks all the boxes — cardiovascular health, leg and core strength, and mental reset — all while enjoying the outdoors.

If you’ve been looking for a reason to lace up your boots, this is it. Grab the family, find a trail, and soak in the season before winter arrives.

09/23/2025

Cross country season is in full swing 🍂 and I’ve been seeing a common theme in young athletes: arch and knee pain.

Often the culprit isn’t just “flat feet” — it’s hyper-mobility and lack of control during the landing phase of running. When the foot collapses too quickly into pronation, the plantar fascia and medial ankle tendons get overstressed. Over time, this rapid lengthening + lack of stability can lead to nagging pain that sidelines kids from the sport they love.

✅ The solution isn’t always custom orthotics or more stretching. For many young runners, we need to train the foot to be strong and controlled:
▪️ Short foot exercises for arch control
▪️ Heel raises with slow, controlled lowering
▪️ Balance drills on one leg
▪️ Teaching proper mechanics during running drills

When we give the foot and ankle strength, control, and awareness, we don’t just reduce pain — we set these young athletes up for years of healthier, more enjoyable running.

🎥 In the video, I show you several of my favorite toe dexterity exercises. These are great to build neuromuscular control to enhance strength & stabilization of the foot and entire lower limb.

09/20/2025

🚀 Struggling to stay consistent with your running? Coming back from injury? Preparing for your fall race? The Running Reboot 28-day program can help.

Choose between:
✅ Self-guided option
✅ 4 in-person sessions + self-guided training

Includes running analysis, evaluation, and individualized running & injury prevention plan.

👉 Sign up today: https://www.garrettmclaughlin.com/running-reboot.

Running Reboot Running Reboot is a 28-day running & strength training program designed to help you get back on track and see tremendous results with your running.I get it… life gets busy, running is hard, and injuries happen. However, you do NOT need to settle for being stuck because there is a lo...

09/18/2025

Most people stretch their hips and shoulders in a straight-line fashion — think pulling your knee to your chest or doing an overhead triceps stretch. But here’s the problem: these are ball-and-socket joints, which means they’re built for movement in multiple planes, especially rotation.

If you look at the anatomy, the joint capsule and ligaments actually spiral around the joint, almost like the fibers of a rope. That means if you’re skipping rotational mobility, you’re leaving range of motion on the table.

That’s why I prioritize rotational drills before traditional stretches:
1. Controlled Articular Rotations (CARs) to explore your full range
2. Prone axial shoulder rotations to open up space in the shoulder
3. 90/90 hip transitions for rotational control

Once you’ve primed the joint with rotation, THEN you can get more out of your classic stretches.

09/13/2025

Update 🚧 Pure Movement’s opening has been delayed due to construction and utility hookups. The equipment is here (currently filling up my garage 😅) and we’re eager to open our doors. Stay tuned for our grand opening offers—available only until October 15th!

Learn more: www.pure-movement.com

Personal training, physical therapy, running coaching, and health coaching services in Portage, MI to help you achieve your biggest health & fitness goals.

09/09/2025

🏃‍♂️ Want to become a better runner? It starts with your plan.

In my free Running 101 webinar, I cover:
✔️ How to safely build mileage
✔️ How to use pacing to maximize workouts
✔️ How to add speed without adding injury

Catch the full 30-min replay here: https://www.garrettmclaughlin.com/blog/running-101-basic-strategies-to-become-a-better-runner

📅 Ready for guidance on your next training cycle? Schedule your free 30-min consult today.

Welcome to the 9th edition in the Ignite Your Run Education Series. In this mini-webinar, we covered 'Running 101: Basic Strategies to Become a Better Runner.' In order to become a better runner, you must run in a logical way that ultimately creates better running performance. Too often do we look

09/06/2025

“You have sleeping glutes.” 😴 Heard that one before? The truth: your glutes don’t actually turn off. Science shows they’re always active—even when weak, inhibited, or poorly coordinated.

In my latest article, I unpack the myths around “gluteal amnesia” and share research-backed strategies to strengthen and retrain them.

👉 Read here: https://www.garrettmclaughlin.com/blog/do-your-glutes-actually-turn-off-what-science-really-says.

Gluteal amnesia is a myth—your glutes don’t “fall asleep.” Learn the science behind weak glutes, how sitting affects hip strength, and the best exercises to improve function. Portage & Kalamazoo personal trainer and physical therapist explain how to build strength, stability, and performance...

09/04/2025

We’re growing at Pure Movement 💪 If you’re a personal trainer, physical therapist, or athletic trainer ready to take your business to the next level, we’d love to connect.

Learn more on our careers page: https://www.pure-movement.com/careers

Explore rewarding careers at Pure Movement in Portage, MI. We’re hiring Certified Personal Trainers, Physical Therapists, and Athletic Trainers to help active adults in Kalamazoo, Portage, and Southwest Michigan move better, recover from injuries, and return to the activities they love. Join our c...

08/30/2025

Stronger bones. More confidence. A healthier future.

Our 28-Day Better Bones Trial Program is designed for seniors and older adults who want to:
🦴 Prevent or manage osteoporosis & osteopenia
💪 Improve strength, stability, and cardiovascular health
🏃 Move confidently—at home, in the gym, and in everyday life

This isn’t a “one-size-fits-all” class. Every program is custom-built to your goals, needs, and abilities—delivered either in-person or as a self-guided plan you can do at home or the local gym.

📆 For a limited time, you can start with our special trial offer.
📲 Book your Better Bones evaluation today and take the first step toward a stronger you.

More info: https://www.garrettmclaughlin.com/building-better-bones

08/26/2025

When I assess new clients—whether runners, post-rehab patients, or weekend warriors—pelvic control is one of the first things I look at.

Why? Because the pelvis is like the body’s crossroads. If it can’t absorb force and stay stable—especially in the frontal plane—problems start showing up in the back, hips, knees, and even feet.

In this video, I break down:
🎯 What pelvic control is
🎯 How it impacts single-leg stability & running form
🎯 Ex*****on tactics during your strength training routine

This is often overlooked for “bigger” areas like the knee—but trust me, if your pelvis isn’t right, your movement isn’t either.

Watch the video and let me know if you have any questions or feedback!

08/25/2025

Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to work with so many incredible clients—past and present. Your trust in me is something I never take lightly.

One of the greatest compliments I’ve received time and time again is when you’ve referred a family member, friend, or co-worker my way. That trust means everything.

As a thank-you, I always take care of clients who refer by giving $50 cash OR $50 off their next training month. It’s my way of showing appreciation for believing in me and allowing me to serve the people who matter most to you.

Your continued support is what makes this community so strong. Thank you for allowing me to be part of your journey and for helping others start theirs.