Join Us in London to Learn Everything I Wish Hypermobile People Knew About Strength/Resistance Training

London | June 21st | Only 20 Spots Available

| Early Bird Tickets £79

If you’re hypermobile (whether you have hEDS, HSD, another connective tissue disorder involving hypermobile connective tissue OR you’re still on your diagnostic journey), you know the struggle 🫠:

• You want to build strength (and everyone keeps telling you that you have to!), but typical workouts leave you feeling unstable or in pain

• You’ve tried modifications and worked with various experts, but still hit frustrating plateaus

• You’re tired of hearing “just stop doing that movement if it hurts”—when you’re literally running out of exercises to do 

This specialised lower-body workshop is designed to finally bridge that gap and get you on the path toward safe and sustainable strength gains.

 

Click here for more information (and to get your ticket once they go live on April 30th)!

But first—let’s debunk some myths👇

Myth-Busting: 5 Hypermobility Strength Training Myths You’ve Been Told

Myth 1: “You Should Avoid Heavy Weights”

Truth: You should avoid any weight that you can’t safely move. The danger lies in poor control, not weight itself. Many hypermobile people actually benefit from carefully progressed loading, as controlled weighted movements often provide better joint feedback than unstable bodyweight exercises – the key is learning how to safely move within your hypermobile range of motion through careful progression over time.

Myth 2: “You Should Avoid Dumbbells/Kettlebells and Only Use Machines and Bands”

Truth: The world is literally made of free weights (as in, objects that you need to move that have weight). Although resistance bands and machines are great training tools, in order to safely interact with the physical world in which you exist you need to (whenever safe and possible!) be supported in developing strength and confidence when moving objects. And ultimately, that’s what training with dumbbells and kettlebells is!

Myth 3: “The Pain You Feel Is Just Your Body Adjusting to Exercise”

Truth: Let’s get one thing straight – exercise should never feel like the chronic pain you might be used to if you’re someone who is hypermobile (this is often described as burning, grinding, pinching, intense pain within joints and not broadly across muscle regions). The sensation of healthy muscular fatigue from exercise is different from the pain of injury/reinjury, and learning to tell the difference between these two sensations is one of the biggest things holding hypermobile people back from improving their fitness.

Myth 4: “Strength Training Is Dangerous for Hypermobile People”

Truth: All exercise carries some degree of risk, but there are always ways to modify activities based on your individual needs and risk tolerance. In fact, avoiding strength training – unless specifically advised against it by your doctor – can be particularly risky for those with hEDS/HSD due to the long-term impacts on bone density and strength. Ironically, my most serious injuries have all happened during everyday activities (fracturing my leg walking on grass, tearing my quad during a bodyweight lunge) – which is exactly why I use strength training to help my body handle the challenges of simply existing!

Myth 5: “You Can’t Build Muscle Like Other People”

Truth: Let’s be honest – there is some truth here. The quality and timeline of muscle growth will look different for hypermobile bodies compared to others. But here’s what matters: in my professional and personal experience, most people who are hypermobile can build meaningful muscle mass with the right support – and that makes all the difference for joint control and quality of life.

Yes, it might be harder for you than for someone without hypermobility. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try. If you’re physically able to strength train to protect your quality of life and long-term health, you absolutely should – with the proper guidance and supervision to make it safely work for your  uniquely hypermobile body.

 

Workshop Breakdown: What You’ll Learn

1. Foundational Principles for Strength Training

• how to engage your seemingly un-engageable muscles

• how to self-assess your movement biases (no trainer required)

• Breaking the “boom-bust” cycle of making strength gains only to get yet another injury setback

2. How to “Be Your Own Coach”

• How to program for yourself without overdoing it

• How to be kind to your body when exercising (and why you should never push through pain of injury/reinjury!)

• How to avoid overtraining (and why recovery is key!)

3. Lower Body Masterclass with Karima Adi

• Squat/deadlift variations that protect your joints and build strength

• Accessory exercises most trainers and healthcare providers skip (but hypermobile bodies need)

Who’s This For?

✔ New to strength training? We’ll start with safe regressions.
✔ Gym veteran? Learn advanced tweaks to break plateaus.
✔ Afraid to load your joints? Discover how to trust your body again.

 

By Hypermobile People, For Hypermobile People

Because I know what it’s like to be hypermobile, and I want you to be comfortable so you can have an awesome day!

🍽 Included in your ticket:

• A vegetarian lunch + afternoon treat

• Lactose/gluten-free options available (Please contact me in advance so I can best accommodate your needs!)

🧘 Move & sit however you need:

• Choose from chairs, thick pilates mats, pillows, blankets, or yoga blocks

• Fidgeting welcome! (As long as it doesn’t disturb others)

❄️ AIR-CONDITIONED sanctuary at The Light Centre Monument:

• Same venue as last year’s gloriously cool Hypermobility 101 workshop with a fully air-conditioned studio and indoor/outdoor seating for lunch and breaks

♿ Fully accessible:

• Ground-floor studio AND toilet

• Zero steps to navigate

Your Experts

Alex Orfanides M. Ost. BA (Hons)

Hypermobility Specialist Osteopath G.OsC. Reg. 10375

Alex is a hypermobility specialist bridging elite sports medicine and connective tissue disorder care. Drawing from her background working with high-performance athletes, she now helps patients worldwide (via her London clinic and global online practice) achieve breakthroughs in strength, stability, and symptom management through individualised, evidence-based approaches. Recognised for her work with complex hEDS/HSD cases, Alex also drives systemic change in hypermobility care through education—via her @hypermobilityhq platform, podcast appearances (as well as her own Help! I’m Hypermobile podcast), and advocacy for better patient outcomes.

To contact Alex directly (whether it’s about the workshop, an appointment, or anything else) please fill in the contact form by clicking here. 

Karima Adi

Movement and Mindset Coach

Karima Adi is a passionate Movement & Mindset Coach dedicated to empowering individuals to lead strong, active, and independent lives. Through her signature “Armoured Against Aging” program she helps her clients aged 60+ build resilience, enhance mobility, and embrace aging with confidence.

Her commitment to creating a supportive & inclusive environment and her focus on longevity extend beyond physical training — she champions a lifestyle rooted in intentional movement, mental agility, and joyful living.

With a background in strength and conditioning, functional mobility, and mindset practices, Karima designs programs that meet people where they are, while inspiring them to go further than they thought possible. This helps her work with clients with a broad range of concerns – including joint hypermobility – to find ways to help them move safely and reconnect with their bodies through improving their physical fitness.

Karima’s own journey — navigating a variety of health challenges — inform her work with empathy and authenticity.

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Workshop Info

📅 Date: June 21st
⏰ Time: 10:00 – 6:00 (there will be lots of short breaks, and you can lie down whenever you’d like)
📍 Location: The Light Centre Monument, 36 Saint Mary at Hill, London EC3R 8DU
🎟 Tickets: £99 – Only 20 spots [EARLY BIRD TICKETS £79 available until midnight Monday May 5th)

Tickets go on sale at 12noon on Wednesday April 30th. Everyone on the HHQ email list will get a reminder email at 10:00am that same day. For more information, including ticket refund policy and other FAQs please click here.