As the fitness industry evolves, so does sport-specific training and rehabilitation. One of the most recent adaptations is using the kettlebell in a “Bell Up” position. This means that instead of resting the bell on your wrist/forearm, the weighted bell is upside down, facing away from the ground. Some benefits of this approach include improved grip strength, rotator cuff stability and neuromuscular coordination.
Read MoreWith fancy ab workout machines leading the infomercial market and being priced out of this world, it is important to find the most efficient pieces of equipment to get your workouts completed. One of the most common tools you will find at any gym is a barbell! Read more to learn about these 5 Core Stabilization Exercises that you can use with a barbell. Try them out for yourself and enjoy these simple workout tips!
Read MorePhysical Therapy has been known to show incredible benefits for those who are suffering from acute or chronic injuries. In some instances, physical therapy will be a staple in a patient’s journey through rehabilitation, especially if there was a surgery involved. However, did you know that starting physical therapy BEFORE surgery can lead to improved outcomes? This is what “PREHAB” is all about! Will Smith said “...if you stay ready, you ain’t gotta get ready”. Prehab is focused on creating a positive environment for the client leading up to a surgical procedure, to ensure a successful outcome and quicker recovery.
Read MoreRead more about how one of our superstar athletes utilized Restore Physical Therapy and Olympia Fitness + Performance to rehabilitate her knee and get back to an elite level of soccer!
Read MoreInjuries can be tough for athletes on many levels. Whether it is the stress of sitting out from your favorite activity, the physical pain of the injury or the difficult rehab process, there’s never an “easy way out” when trying to get back to your sport. Once the athlete overcomes the injury from a clinical standpoint and the structures are healthy & safe to resume action, the most crucial part of return-to-sport begins! It is imperative that the athlete go through rigorous training in the rehab setting to practice skills they will be performing but also build confidence that they can attack their sport in a better fashion than they did pre-injury. Here are 3 tips for any athlete recovering from an injury, that they MUST do before stepping back into their arena.
Read MoreIf you are an athlete, runner, speed-walker, or enjoy a lot of hiking and walking exercise, you may have experienced the dreaded pain of “shin splints”, also known as Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (MTSS). These are microtraumas that develop in either the muscles, connective tissue or bone in the lower leg, causing pain with impact-related activities. If gone untreated, shin splints can last for a long time and reoccur quite frequently. Read further to discover 5 Ways to Decrease Shin Splints!
Read MoreIf you have ever been in a gym or worked with a trainer, I’m sure you’ve heard them cue you by saying “brace your core”. What does that even mean?! Should we be squeezing those abdominal muscles like we are flexing for a bodybuilding championship? Should I be wearing a weightlifting belt at all times? What does bracing even do for me? Today’s blog will break down all of the important information behind intra-abdominal bracing and its benefits!
Read MoreSquats are one of the most common exercises seen in gyms worldwide. They are present in all forms of workouts, whether it be HIIT classes, calisthenics, powerlifting, strength & conditioning, crossfit, high school & collegiate teams or your typical weekend warrior trying to get stronger at the local gym. Although squats are an extremely useful exercise, there is a stigma that comes along with them, in that they cause lower back pain. The truth is that squats CAN cause lower back pain if performed improperly, but SHOULD NOT when done correctly! Here are some great tips that we use here at Restore Physical Therapy & Olympia Fitness + Performance to reduce the risk of lower back pain, while improving form and increasing strength!
Read MoreGymnastics is without a doubt one of the toughest sports (physically) for an athlete to participate in. Especially when it comes to young athletes, the risk of injury is much higher. The reason for this is the lack of skeletal/muscular development at the starting age, sheer volume of training hours and speed of progression. Injuries will commonly happen in every sport, no matter how good your coaching or recovery is. However, the more we can become familiar with these injuries and how to prevent them, we can successfully reduce the frequency of these injuries and keep our athletes on the mats!
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