Build for Health with Srdjan Injac

Some moves might be popular gym staples, but that doesn’t mean they belong in your workout. This week on Build for Health, Pete Wright and Coach Srdjan Injac dig into what they call “The Forbidden Exercises”—those movements and machines that look like they should make you stronger but actually carry a higher risk than reward. From upright rows that wreck shoulders, to behind-the-neck pulldowns that twist the spine unnaturally, to that infamous ab-crunch contraption that never quite fits right, Srdjan explains why certain exercises are off his list—and what safer alternatives you can do instead.

Along the way, you’ll hear about Srdjan’s own injuries and how they reshaped his training philosophy, why natural joint motion is the ultimate red flag test, and how long-term risk management is just as important as short-term gains. If you’ve ever wondered why your trainer skips a machine or cringes when you swing through a set, this episode will give you the inside story—and some practical guidelines to spot risky movements in your own workouts.

Links & Notes

What is Build for Health with Srdjan Injac?

Build for Health is a show that flips the script on fitness. Hosted by longtime podcaster Pete Wright and strength coach Srdjan Injac of ELEV8 Fitness, this show isn’t about gym culture or getting shredded—it’s about why building muscle is the most important investment you can make in your long-term health.

Each week, Pete and Srdjan break down the science, bust the myths, and offer real-world insight into how resistance training supports not just strength, but brain function, metabolic health, emotional well-being, immune resilience, and aging with independence.

If you think lifting weights is just for looks, think again. It’s time to rethink strength—and build a body that’s built for life.

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Meet the Hosts

Srdjan Injac is a certified strength coach and the founder of ELEV8 Fitness in Portland, Oregon. With a background in kinesiology and a lifelong passion for movement, he’s trained everyone from elite athletes to everyday professionals to feel strong, live pain-free, and age with purpose. Srdjan’s coaching style is built on evidence-based training, long-term sustainability, and a deep belief in the power of muscle as medicine.

Pete Wright is a veteran podcaster, storyteller, and—most importantly—a guy who used to avoid the gym at all costs. Srdjan’s just so happens to be his trainer. As such, Pete tries to bring curiosity, candor, and a deeply personal perspective on what it really takes to change your relationship with strength... no matter how much it hurts. With a background in health communication and habit-building for adults with ADHD, Pete asks the questions we’re all wondering—and helps listeners stay curious while getting stronger.