If you take a scientific approach to exercise selection, you’ll be able to optimize your overall size and symmetry. …read more

The difference between a stalled deadlift and a new PR is explosiveness. Here’s how to start pulling like a pro. …read more

Join Rob and I as we talk a bit about one of our favorite topics, pain:

• [1:05] Dan and Rob catch up, Rob’s healing shoulder, Dan’s training and the crossfit open
• [6:15] Introducing today’s topic – PAIN
• [7:55] What is pain and why is it important?
• [10:40] What the hell is nociception and why should I care about it?
• [12:15] How fear, anxiety and beliefs effect how much pain you experience
• [14:30] Some interesting research showing how your thoughts, fears and anxieties can create pain when there is absolutely no damage going on in the body.
• [16:35] Central and Local Sensitivity – 2 more reasons why different people experience different levels of pain with the same stimulus
• [19:33] How pain and damage are not directly related.  You can have pain without damage and damage without pain
• [19:50] Study shows majority of major league pitchers have labral and rotator cuff damage without the associated pain and disability
• [24:50] How your language used with your patients has a major impact on their rehabilitation
• [26:10] The enormous effect of placebo and equally important but less discussed nocebo effect
• [27:45] How the patient’s expectations about their treatment effects their amount of improvement
• [31:40] An example of how X-rays and MRIs can scare patients when the MRI results may not be the bottom line
• [33:45] Should we as therapists be throwing out our spine models?
• [34:45] A different approach on patient education and injury
• [37:00] How pain science is important for healing in athletes
• [43:25] The psychological toll of injuries in athletes and my own example of how your thoughts can perpetuate pain
• [45:55] How personality and emotion is linked to pain
• [47:35] What patients need to know about pain in order to rehab properly
• [51:35] Tips for personal trainers and coaches working with clients in pain
• [53:30] Tips for physical therapists to apply pain science into their clinical practice
• [59:41] Resources for …read more
  
  

Fourteen training, programming, and diet tips to make this your best year yet. …read more

There are four stages to a successful physique transformation. And if you want to make it through all of them, you’d better be ready to burn. …read more

Here’s a unique warm-up that uses just the barbell instead of bodyweight drills, foam rolling, or mobilizations. …read more

Give your body a break from traditional squats and deadlifts and smash your wheels with this growth-inducing plan. …read more

Well 2013 has been a great year for me and for the site.  Last year I picked an arbitrary number of hits I’d like to have on my site over the course of the year.  I wanted 100,000 total.  I had no idea if this was good but decided to set a goal and go for it.  I ended up falling horribly short by the year’s end.

Fast forward one year.  Now fitnesspainfree gets almost 100,000 hits per month.  My newsletter started with just my mom and now is well over a thousand.  I’m incredibly grateful and excited by all of the people who use the site and gain insight from the content.  Thanks to everyone for reading and here’s to another successful year!

Here are the most popular posts written in 2013 in order of popularity (#1 is most popular):

10) Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) Certification and Exam Review

My review of the CSCS examination and certification

9) 10 Critical Principles Physical Therapists Need to Know About Crossfit for Successful Rehabilitation

Only a few weeks old and already gaining a lot of ground.  Hopefully this sheds some light on rehabbing crossfitters.

8) 6 Common Causes Of Knee Pain and How to Fix Them – Part 1

This series of articles was very popular and probably should serve as a sign to start writing more about the knee!

7.  Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA) Level 1 Course Review

Big fan of Gray Cook and what he has properled forward with the movement revolution.  i use the SFMA on a daily basis.

6) 3 Reasons that Kipping Pullups are Causing Injuries

This series of articles landed me in crossfit head quarters chatting about pullups with some smart fellows.

5.  Why Is Overhead Pressing Hurting My Lower Back? 

Deadlifts aren’t the only thing that can leave your back …read more

Are you getting hung up on improving technique when you should be just concentrating on getting stronger? …read more

Doing a back workout once a week isn’t going to cut it. You need to crush it and crush it hard several times a week. …read more