The pull-through is a brilliant exercise that can build a bulletproof backside on those who choose to perform them. Sometimes lifters perform them on traditional gym equipment, specifically with a cable stack, while other times, you’ll see folks perform them with giant rubber bands. But is there really a difference between the two? While they may look pretty similar, there …
Shoulder Pain From the Elliptical Machine: Causes, Fixes and More
Shoulder pain is likely the last thing you were expecting to experience after using a piece of fitness equipment designed to be gentle on the joints and muscles of the body. Nonetheless, if your shoulder has been experiencing discomfort — or pain — after using the elliptical machine, there are typically a few key reasons as to why. Shoulder pain …
One Hamstring Tighter Than the Other? Here’s Your Solution
It’s an odd — and very annoying — feeling to have one hamstring that’s chronically tighter than the other, especially if you don’t know why it’s happening. And if you don’t get to the bottom of the issue, it can plague you (and even worsen) with pain and dysfunction for years to come. Thankfully, by the time you finish reading …
Spanish Squats for Patellar Tendinopathy: How | Why | When (Must Know)
There’s a lot of talk going on these days about Spanish squats being a highly beneficial exercise for treating and preventing patellar tendon-based pain, such as tendinopathy. But does this exercise really live up to the hype? If so, just what is it about this modified squat that makes it such a worthy exercise to perform, and how does one …
Massage Gun vs Shockwave Therapy: A Detailed Comparison
They may seem similar, but massage guns and shockwave therapy are, in fact, two very different beasts. However, many individuals often conflate the two due to their seemingly outwardly similar nature. In actuality, each one has a unique mechanism of action and produces unique therapeutic effects, depending on the condition being treated. Massage guns work primarily through percussion-induced effects (percussion …
Feeling Overwhelmed in PT School? Take These Actions (Game-changers)
If you’re currently feeling overwhelmed as a physical therapy student, take comfort in knowing that you certainly aren’t alone. Every semester there are students all over the globe in their program who feel like some aspect of their schooling is getting out of control. This article is written to help you take a step back, breathe and know what some …
Gain Energy and Motivation to Exercise After Work: Here’s How
It happens to us all: we have the best intentions to get into the gym and crush a workout or exercise session the second we finish our work shift for the day. But then, with work done for the day, the energy or desire to go to the gym is nowhere to be found. So how do you overcome this …
Why Your Upper Back Gets Sore From Front Squats (and How to Fix it)
Anyone who thinks that front squats only strengthens your legs has clearly never performed them with heavy weight before (can I get an amen?). And if you happen to find your upper back getting sore from some challenging front squats, fear not, as it’s quite often to be expected. Upper back soreness from front squats is due to the intense …
You’ll Survive PT School if You Develop THESE Five Traits
“Every battle is won before it’s ever fought.” – Sun Tzu, “The Art of War” If you’re gearing up for PT school and have heard all sorts of stories about how busy you’ll be in the program or how challenging the curricula can be, you might find yourself wondering what it will take to survive the whole ordeal. Thankfully, it’s …
Knee Pain From Leg Extensions: Why it Happens & How to Fix it
The leg extension machine is an age-old machine found in nearly every gym — and it’s about as popular as it is controversial. Some lifters love it and swear by it, while others insist that people need to avoid it like the plague (you likely don’t, if you’re smart with it). If you have knee pain after using the leg …