Ultimate Guide to Improving Your Overhead Squat
You walk into your gym and on the white board there it is…the overhead squat. While a few athletes will be thrilled to see this movement most of...
About Dr. Zach Long
Dr. Zach Long is the Director of Physical Therapy in Charlotte, North Carolina and runs an industry leading fitness website “The Barbell Physio”where he is a trusted resource to thousands of athletes, coaches, and health care professionals across the United States and beyond. Additionally, Zach teaches with the Institute of Clinical Excellence in their “Fitness Athlete” division where he helps medical professionals better understand the needs of CrossFitters, power lifters, and weightlifters. Zach is a Board Certified Sports Certified Specialist, Level One CrossFit Trainer, NASM Performance Enhancement Specialist, and certified SFMA practitioner.
LATEST POSTS
3 Steps to Your First Pull-Up
An athlete getting their first unassisted pull-up is a major accomplishment. For many it takes months or years of training to build the strength to fi...
Returning to Deadlifts After Back Pain
If you’ve had an episode of intense low back pain you know how scary dealing with that can be. Quite often athletes are given poor advice when it co...
WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY
Meghan
“The Shoulder Performance for the Fitness Athlete is a product that I absolutely endorse. It is extremely well thought out and thorough, and will help you perform your very best, and more importantly, stay healthy. This is a perfect product for athletes, and regular gym-goers who want to train at a high level.”
National Champion Olympic Lifter
Thanks to Zach's enthusiasm for exploring cutting edge therapy and training methods my rehab went phenomenal! If you're looking to excel in your rehab then you need to work with Zach!
Fittest Masters Woman In North Carolina
When you have an appointment there is no question you are his only patient with total focus on you. My recovery has far exceeded my expectations and am stronger now, then prior to surgery. Without hesitation I refer anyone who needs Physical Therapy to Zach Long
Brian
“Proper technique is the key to both safety and performance in Olympic weightlifting. Zach and Jared have created a great resource for understanding the fundamental positions in each of the lifts and the mobility requirements to perform them successfully. This product is loaded with practical information from points of performance to movement progressions and mobility assessments. I would recommend this product to coaches, athletes, and anyone looking to improve their understanding of Olympic weightlifting.”
Melissa Murphy
“Master the Squat encompasses all common faults of the squat and provides the detailed analysis anyone can understand. The tools for correction are simple yet effective- by far the best resource for individuals looking to improve their quality of life or athletes pursuing peak performance.”
Kyra Severson
“As a coach and athlete, this video is a great tool when trying to determine how to best help my athletes (and myself) move more efficiently. Zach proves that there is no “one size fits all” magical fix for the squat. Instead, he clearly demonstrates how to safely assess and correct common squat faults.”
Pamela Gagnon (3x CrossFit Games Masters Athlete)
A few things separates Zach from any other PT professional. For instance, he has an ability to treat not only the issue you came to see him about, but can can forsee how one issue will lead to a different problem, therefore, always providing PT drills to stay ahead of injury. Zach has a passion for what he does and that greatly shows in the time he spends with his patients, and his knowledge of the human body. Zach helped me head into the CrossFit Games injury free so I could perform as a top level athlete.
Alex
“I have used the Weightlifting video and e-book for some time now. I find the resource invaluable. As a CrossFit coach it’s the perfect reference material for Olympic Weightlifting. Neither too shallow nor overly complex in its explanations, this would serve any coach well for developing a lifters foundation to a high standard. For me it’s absolute gold dust. Highly recommend!”
Mitch
“Understanding the basic physiologic constructs, mobility and stability requirements of the shoulder will help any clinician, coach, and athlete improve their shoulder health and overall performance. Dr. Zach Long is at the cutting edge of rehab and interventions for the fitness athlete, and “Shoulder Performance for the Fitness Athlete” is a phenomenal product that will elevate your knowledge and performance for you and your athletes.”
– Mary O’Doherty (D1 Swimmer)
Zach is an awesome physical therapist that I would recommend to anyone, especially a fellow athlete. His knowledge of body mechanics has been extremely beneficial for me as an athlete.
Kennett Washington
If you want someone who gets it and really understands your needs to perform at your best the Dr. Zachary Long is one of the best.
Jared Fleming (2x US National Champion in Weightlifting)
Thanks to Zach's enthusiasm for exploring cutting edge therapy and training methods my post ACL rehab went phenomenal! If you're looking to excel in your rehab then you need to work with Zach!
CrossFit Games Athlete
A few things separates Zach from any other PT professional. For instance, he has an ability to treat not only the issue you came to see him about, but can forsee how one issue will lead to a different problem, therefore, always providing PT drills to stay ahead of injury. Zach has a passion for what he does and that greatly shows in the time he spends with his patients, and his knowledge of the human body. Zach helped me head into the CrossFit Games injury free so I could perform as a top level athlete.
Dr. Mario Novo
Zach's passion for the advancement of human performance can be seen in his person-centered approach towards individual training and evidence-based rehabilitation. Zach puts his heart and soul into providing the best damn care and training you can get!
Sutart
“Finally – the best of both worlds – a product on weightlifting from both the perspective of clinician and weightlifting coach. As an affiliate owner, I realize that 99% of my members don’t possess the familiarity or prerequisite mobility/stability to perform such complex movements safely. Though it’s our job as coaches to give them the appropriate movement coaching, This is a huge tool for my coaching staff.”
Mash
“The Shoulder Performance for the Fitness Athlete by Dr. Zach Long is an invaluable resource, a MUST for coaches, clinicians, and athletes wanting to perform optimally. If you or your clients are looking to learn more about the shoulder mobility demands of various barbell exercises, look no further, Dr. Zach’s got it covered!”
Don’t Have To Quit CrossFit
Hi Dr. Zach: Before I came to see you, I thought I would have to give up CrossFit completely because (my knee) would never get better. It broke my soul a little every day thinking I might have to give up something I am so passionate about. I am so grateful for you and all your work. You are so unique because of your knowledge of Crossfit and our movement patterns. Everything you did, every exercise you gave me helped me 100% to get to where I am. You know your $h!t. I can’t believe I am able to Olympic lift and pistol squat again!
Pro Spartan Racer
I am an Elite Spartan Race competitor, so needless to say when I found out I had to have shoulder surgery (torn labrum), I knew exactly who I wanted for my PT doctor - Dr. Zachary Long. Zach always showed concern for any pains or issues I had between visits and took great care to make sure the right treatment was taught and used to combat those problems. Months later, I am strong, healthy and ready to compete in races again! I owe a lot of this to the care I received from Dr. Long and the CSC staff.
