Built from Broken by Scott H. Hogan Summary

Built from Broken is a science-based guide to healing joint pain, preventing injuries, and rebuilding physical resilience through targeted exercise and connective tissue care. It combines corrective strategies, progressive resistance training, and insights into tendon/ligament health to help readers overcome chronic pain and movement limitations. Hogan emphasizes heavy, slow lifting for tendon repair and debunks myths about joint deterioration with age.

The book targets active individuals experiencing joint pain, athletes recovering from injuries, and fitness enthusiasts seeking sustainable training methods. It’s particularly valuable for those frustrated by plateaus or recurring injuries and anyone interested in understanding the science behind connective tissue adaptation.

Yes—it offers actionable, evidence-based solutions for joint health rarely covered in mainstream fitness guides. Readers praise its clear explanations of complex biomechanics, practical exercise protocols, and Hogan’s holistic approach integrating rehabilitation science with strength training principles.

Key ideas include:

• Progressive tissue loading: Gradually increasing resistance to strengthen tendons/ligaments
• Joint-friendly strength training: Using slow tempos and controlled movements
• Postural recalibration: Correcting muscle imbalances causing pain
• Connective tissue prioritization: Shifting focus from muscles to joint infrastructure.

Hogan advocates for “bulletproofing” joints through eccentric-focused exercises and load management rather than complete rest. The book provides phased programs to rebuild capacity in damaged tissues while addressing root causes like poor movement patterns.

Notable lines include:

• “Broken down, beat up, or bottlenecked—we’re all on the same spectrum of physical disrepair.” (opening line)
• “Heavy lifting is medicine for connective tissues.”
  These emphasize proactive joint care and reframing strength training as therapeutic.

Yes—Chapters 10-12 provide a 12-week program with joint-centered exercises like tempo squats and scapula-focused pulls. Routines emphasize controlled movements over maximum loads, with modifications for injury recovery phases.

Unlike muscle-centric guides, it prioritizes tendon/ligament health as the foundation of performance. The book uniquely combines corrective exercise science with practical strength protocols, avoiding generic “rest and recover” advice common in rehab literature.

Some note limited coverage of cardiovascular training or nutrition beyond supplementation. The heavy focus on resistance training may overwhelm beginners, though Hogan provides clear progressions.

As a Certified Orthopedic Exercise Specialist and founder of SaltWrap (a sports nutrition company), Hogan merges clinical rehabilitation knowledge with practical athlete coaching experience. This duality shapes the book’s balanced theory-to-practice approach.

Yes—it addresses common issues like shoulder impingement through scapular stabilization exercises and phased loading protocols. Case studies show applications for post-surgical recovery, including bicep tendon repair.

The book teaches readers to:

• Monitor and adjust training based on tissue feedback
• Incorporate daily mobility drills
• Periodize loading to prevent overuse injuries
  This systemic approach aims to create lasting resilience rather than temporary pain relief.