Q: I have rigid supinated feet that seem to aggravate my Achilles which keeps me from performing my HIIT on a treadmill.

What can I do to overcome this? (I am expecting you to tell me to run on a track)

By the way, I bought your Maximum Strength book and I am working my way through it. I wish I had you for a strength coach when I was in high school as I know I could have landed a full ride scholarship at a 1A school. I worked my beach muscles my whole life and now I have serious imbalances that I am working on with your help. You have really made a big difference in my life and I look forward to training since discovering you, your articles, books, etc.

A: First off, thanks for your kind words! I’m glad you enjoyed Maximum Strength.

With respect to your feet, believe it or not, one of the best things you can do is just pick up a pair of cushioned insoles. They shouldn’t change the contour of the shoe; they should just offer added padding. I actually wrote about it in The Prehab Deload (toward the end).

On a related note, to be honest, I’m not a fan of HIIT on a treadmill (or much of anything on a treadmill). It just doesn’t afford the same benefits of running outside, although I do understand that weather gets in the way in the winter in many areas. At these times of year, I prefer to have clients gravitate toward rowing, cycling, and jumping rope.