Featured image for “Individualization of Squat Technique – Sports Demands”
Read More
 Lower Body
 Mobility

Individualization of Squat Technique – Sports Demands

We’ve covered how specific mobility limitations, hip socket alignment, and bone lengths can impact squat performance in the last three parts of this series. In this final installment of individual differences affecting the squat technique, we will discuss sports variations. Sports Positions for the Squat Let’s begin by looking at Olympic weightlifting where athletes must perform the snatch and the...
Featured image for “Femur Length and Squat Technique – How Individual Differences Impact Squat Performance”
Read More
 Exercises
 Injury Prevention
 Lower Body
 Mobility
 Physical Therapy

Femur Length and Squat Technique – How Individual Differences Impact Squat Performance

In Parts I and II in this series on how individual anatomical differences can impact squat performance. We covered the effects of various levels of ankle mobility, hip mobility, and hip boney anatomy. These two articles provide evidence for the need to individualize our squat technique prescription to every athlete that we work with. This week’s article will further investigate...
Featured image for “Hip Sockets and Squat Depth – How Individual Differences Impact Squat Performance”
Read More
 Core
 Lower Body
 Mobility

Hip Sockets and Squat Depth – How Individual Differences Impact Squat Performance

In Part I of this series on individualizing squat technique prescriptions, we covered how an athlete’s mobility impacts their squat form. These variations in individual anatomy mean that many of the “rules” for what a proper squat should look like are false. So many of the popular coaching points such as point your toes forward will actually negatively impact an...
Featured image for “How squat mobility impacts performance”
Read More
 Exercises
 Lower Body
 Mobility
 Physical Therapy

How squat mobility impacts performance

How squat mobility impacts performance One of the biggest misconceptions I see and hear when working with various fitness coaches is that there is a certain way to squat and certain keys to proper squat mobility. Knees must be positioned in a certain spot, feet must be pointed a certain direction, and coaches try to force their athletes to squat in...
Featured image for “How to Train Smart Through Pregnancy”
Read More
 Mobility
 Physical Therapy

How to Train Smart Through Pregnancy

I am all for women exercising during pregnancy. I have reaped the benefits of exercise through two pregnancies and have seen plenty of patients experience the same benefits. A few of these benefits include decreased musculoskeletal complaints throughout pregnancy, improved body mechanics and posture, prevention of gestational diabetes and preeclampsia, and stress reduction (1, 2, 3). In general, society seems...
Featured image for “The Best Mobility Technique You Are Not Using”
Read More
 Exercises
 Lower Body
 Mobility
 Physical Therapy
 Upper Body

The Best Mobility Technique You Are Not Using

We’ve all used foam rollers, stretching, band joint distractions, and lacrosse balls to improve mobility. But there is a big gap between having the available range of motion and being able to use that available motion. Eccentric isometrics fix that! It is rare to find athletes that can functionally utilize their full available range of motion. I commonly see athletes...
Featured image for “Better Way to Build Unassisted Pull-up Strength”
Read More
 Exercises
 Mobility
 Upper Body

Better Way to Build Unassisted Pull-up Strength

An unassisted pull-up is a foundational movement for the fitness athlete. This movement is often underestimated in its importance. Requiring back, core, and shoulder strength, this movement is fantastic for any athlete. The major problem with the pull-up is that many athletes struggle to build the foundation of a sound pull-up. And they set themselves up with appropriate progressions for...
Featured image for “The Best Barbell Rehab Exercises”
Read More
 Blog
 Core
 Exercises
 Injury Prevention
 Lower Body
 Mobility
 Physical Therapy
 Upper Body

The Best Barbell Rehab Exercises

I realized a terrible truth this week…a while back, I wrote an article on the best kettlebell exercises to use in rehab. But despite being The BARBELL Physio, I’ve never written about the best barbell rehab exercises. Travesty!  So here we go, our favorite exercises with the barbell to use in rehab! For more rehab exercises, see my articles on the...
Featured image for “The Best Soft Tissue Mobilization Tools”
Read More
 Mobility
 Physical Therapy

The Best Soft Tissue Mobilization Tools

One of the most frequent questions I receive from athletes is what my favorite soft tissue mobilization tools are. I’ve got a few below that I’ll share, but first, you need to know this about all soft tissue tools. I don’t believe ANY soft tissue tool (or hands-on technique) create actual mechanical changes in the soft tissue. For example, people...
Search

Categories
Blog (87)
Core (80)
Exercises (157)
Mobility (117)