Understanding Quadratus Lumborum
The Quadratus Lumborum (QL) muscles, a common source of lower back pain, are located on either side of the lumbar spine. While they are situated [...]
Motivational Messaging: Five Things Fitness Professionals Should Probably Stop Saying
As trainers, we are constantly looking for ways to encourage and motivate our clients, and one of the most common ways we do this is [...]
The Difference Between Pain and Discomfort
“That hurts!” We’ve likely all heard our clients express some experience of pain or discomfort. They might say an exercise hurts, or that it is [...]
The Stress and Injury Link
As trainers, our clients will often share with us details about their lives outside of the time we are training together including stress surrounding home [...]
Foot Pain: Plantar Fasciitis and Achilles Tendinitis Commonalities
Two of the most common injuries to the foot or heel are plantar fasciitis and achilles tendinitis. These two overuse injuries have even more in [...]
Understanding Achilles Tendon
In Greek mythology, the warrior Achilles was known to have one weak spot: his heel. Because of this, the idiom Achilles’ heel is often used [...]
Ground Reaction Force and Running Form
Running is a popular form of exercise and an effective way for our clients to boost cardiovascular fitness. However, it is associated with a higher [...]
Proximal Hamstring Tendinopathy: A Pain in the Butt
When we think of a hamstring injury, we might picture a sprinter halting mid-sprint, grabbing the back of their thigh and wincing in pain. This [...]
Understanding and Training Rectus Femoris
Rectus femoris is one of the four quadriceps muscles. The other quadriceps muscles are vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, and vastus intermedius. Of these four muscles, [...]
TFL Compensatory Patterns
Tensor fasciae latae (TFL) is a small muscle that makes a big fuss. An overactive TFL can result in pain in various parts of the [...]