Posts in "Assessment"

Why You Need to Consider How You Breathe

This post covers breathing. (Cue the cavalcade of eye rolls) But I PROMISE I am going to 1) be brief, and more importantly 2) showcase why it’s important and why it will help you feel better, move better, perform better, and likely turn you into a Jedi Master Spartan Sex God of Minas Tirith. Deal?… Read more

Everything and Nothing Causes Low Back Pain

The topic of low back pain (LBP) – how to assess it, diagnose it, and how to treat it – can be a controversial one. I italicized the word “can” because I don’t feel it’s all that controversial. Cauliflower as an option for pizza crust or Zach being chosen as the bachelor on the current season of… Read more

The Peculiar State of Fitness Assessments

NOTE: There’s only a few more days to get my latest continuing education resource – Strategic Strength – at $50 off the regular price. Today’s post discusses one of the main topics covered in the course: Assessment. Assessment. People don’t like the feeling of being judged – especially by complete strangers. However, when it comes… Read more

You’re Probably Not Broken

The fitness industry preys on dysfunction. It seeks out the broken, the weak, and the (seemingly) frail, chews them up, and then spits them out. One 24 session pack at a time. I hate it. I HAAAAAATE it. We need to do a better job at championing success and cementing the notion that (most) people… Read more

Accessing T-Spine Extension For Healthy Shoulders

There are many things that can make your shoulder(s) hate life. Poor programming balance Less than stellar exercise technique Muscular imbalances Bony adaptations (acromion type Poor scapular kinematics Orcs And, for some, we could even make the case for faulty breathing mechanics and/or contralateral hip/ankle mobility restrictions. I try not to get that into the… Read more

Textbook Technique and Why it Doesn’t Exist

It’s not lost on me that the title of this post will raise some eyebrows. The title shouldn’t be taken too literally, because I do feel there are ideal approaches, methodologies, and “rules” to consider when coaching any lift in the weight room. That said, when it comes to exercise technique (or human movement in… Read more

The Difference Between Good and Bad Stiffness

Get your mind out of the gutter, I’m talking about muscles here…;o) The Difference Between Good & Bad Stiffness Having “tight” or “stiff” muscles is often viewed as a bad thing. Not losing a match of Squid Game bad, but bad nonetheless. When someone presents with a (true) muscular length limitation there are increased risks… Read more

You’re Not Broken If You’re Asymmetrical. You’re Normal.

One of the more flagrant “mic drops” I toss down whenever I speak to a group of fitness professionals (remember when we used to be able to do that in person?) is that forcing people to adopt a symmetrical stance while performing basic lifts such as deadlifts or squats is more likely hurting people rather… Read more