Split Squats | Front vs Rear Foot Elevated (The REAL Difference)

Programming and coaching of each variation Front and rear foot elevated split squats–often programmed, but why? In fact, there are KEY reasons why one version might be better than the other. What are these reasons? That’s what we will outline in today’s post. Not only will you learn the key differences between each, but also how to coach these exercises to maximally reap their benefits. Check out the video and blog below to learn more.

Read More

Split Squats – The 1 KEY to Make it Glute or Quad Dominant

This minor split squat tweak can lead to MAJOR changes By changing one small thing, split squats can become COMPLETELY different exercises. Working different muscles and exploring different ranges of motion. But what is that one thing? That’s what you’ll learn with this post. Here, we will dive into: – Split squat biomechanics – How to DRASTICALLY alter loading between quads and hamstring – How to MASTER technique to CRUSH lower body gains Watch the video and read the post below to learn about it.

Read More

Split Squats – Only Feeling the Back Leg (FIX)

Troubleshooting when you don’t feel the front leg working Split squats are an awesome exercise to build the legs, but not if you are ONLY feeling the back leg working. Why is it that the back leg is working so hard? Is there any way to fix this common issue on split squats? YES. In this post, you’ll learn why the back leg often gets overworked on split squats and what you can do about it! Watch the video and read the blog below to learn!

Read More

Curing Split Squat Knee Pain FAST!

The Split Squat ESSENTIALS You Are Missing You’ve mastered the split squat form, but you’re still getting knee pain during? Did you ever think that maybe your split squat technique is NOT the issue? Maybe you’re focusing on the wrong things. Don’t worry, I’ll show you the right drills to shift your efforts towards. I’m going to give you the 3 drills that will loosen up your hips, strengthen your knees, and reduce knee pain during split squats. And make sure to stick around until the end because I’ve got a little present for you to try afterward.

Read More

Top 10 Posts of 2021

The posts the fam loved the most! At the end of each year, I like to see what you wonderful folks loved! What the fam….recognized (fam). This year we went IN DEEP with biomechanics. A whole lotta pelvis especially, but also some feet and scapular stuff. If you want to learn more, then definitely check out this year’s top 10. Wishing you the best for 2022! 10. All About The Pelvic Floor My understanding and application of what the pelvic floor is doing as we move and breathe has become much more refined. This post is the best example of that. When you recognize that the pelvic floor contracts segmentally, you’ll look differently on exercise prescription. 9. Split Squat Biomechanics The split squat is an incredibly versatile exercise, and you can really vary it up if you grasp the biomechanical positions that occur as you move through the movement. This post provides a deep dive into this awesome move! 8. Maxillary Expansion Before and After 1 Year in the Crozat Appliance This year, I learned that there are three polarizing topics that you should not discuss with others: Religion Politics Upper airway treatments This post was by far my most controversial, where I outline what happened to myself after a year of being in the Crozat appliance. So far, the results have been pretty solid! 7. Core Training Do rib flares matter? Why do we stack and posteriorly tilt the pelvis? How should the core work as we walk? These were a few of

Read More

Split Squat Form – A LIVE Coaching Example

Troubleshooting split squat compensations with two cases Split squats are one of the hardest exercises to coach. There are a lot of potential movement compensations that will limit you or your client’s ability to get the most out of this versatile move. Is there an easy way to navigate these issues with these split squats? Can I make coaching this move easier? I think so. In today’s video, you’ll see me navigate two different clients who were having difficulty performing a split squat during my seminar, Human Matrix. If you have someone who: – Can’t descend well in the split squat– Can’t keep the front heel on the ground– Feel too much quad in the back leg– Can’t keep a good torso position during the split squat Then you’ll definitely want to check this out!

Read More

When to Combine Pronation and External Rotation

Although external rotation and supination are paired, so too with internal rotation and pronation, sometimes you must drive pronation and external rotation. This need is especially common if you see a twist through the knee joint. In today’s post, we dive into when you have to do that. Steps for combining pronation with external rotation With these types of folks who present with hip external rotation loss and inability to pronate the foot, you have to untwist these folks. The first line of defense if you have manual skills is to perform manual therapy of the foot. I would look at restoring the following movements: Ankle dorsiflexion Calcaneal eversion First ray manipulations Cuboid manipulations If you don’t have manual skills, wedging the calcaneus laterally to drive eversion can work. You can also perform offset exercises, such as an offset wall squat, to drive rotation and further external rotation: Be mindful as you drive these motions, often people can cheat calcaneal eversion by plantarflexing the first ray even further!

Read More

Split Squat Biomechanics

The split squat is incredibly versatile, but how can I most effectively use it to drive the range of motions I need. Or why in the heck is my person compensating in that way when they do the split squat?

We will answer that with this post, as the split squat can vary its rotational qualities depending on factors such as depth, arm positioning, and more!

If you are ready to absolutely crush all things split squat, then check out Movement Debrief Episode 152 below to find out!

Read More

Next Level Lower Body: Pelvis Mechanics and Single Leg Exercise

Want to develop a comprehensive approach to restoring movement to help someone in pain? An approach that allows you to enhance your client’s movement repertoire so there are multiple ways to help them reach their fitness goals? My seminar, Human Matrix: The Code for Maximal Health and Performance, can help you attain these very goals. I will teach you how by providing you a comprehensive assessment to pinpoint your client’s movement limitations, practical exercise application to aid in restoring movement deficiency, and learn how to coach loaded movements to build client fitness and resiliency. Below are two snippets of the seminar. In the first snippet, we discuss compensatory pelvis mechanics. Understanding these mechanics can allow you to better appreciate how lower body movement limitations can develop, and what to do about them (note, you may want to check out normal mechanics here before going all abnormal). In the second video, we discuss single leg loading variations. Executing these movements to perfection build up what was gained in the compensatory mechanics section. If you would like to attend a seminar and dive further, look no further then the links below. October 27th-28th – Kansas City, MO (Early bird ends September 30th!) November 10th-11th – Portland, OR (Early bird ends September 30th!) December 8th-9th – Charleston, SC February 2nd-3rd – New Providence, NJ Otherwise, enjoy the videos! Compensatory Pelvis Mechanics Single Leg Exercises

Read More

SI Joint Pain, Slideboards, and Bulging Discs – Movement Debrief Episode 31

Movement Debrief Episode 31 is in the books. Here is a copy of the video and audio for your listening pleasure. Here is the set list: How does pelvic position influence SI joint pain? Is there a difference between right and left SI joint pain? Where do slideboard variations fit into the program? When are bulging discs relevant? When is flexion vs extension warranted in treating bulging discs? When ought to neurodynamics be performed with disc bulges Who are my top R&b artists   If you want to watch these live, add me on Facebook, Instagram, or Youtube. They air every Wednesday at 7:30pm CST. Enjoy!                    Here were the links I mentioned: Michael Shacklock Clinical Neurodynamics Book Notes Clinical Neurodynamics BJ the Chicago Kid blackbear Anderson .Paak Musiq KCi & Jojo Ginuwine Case Joe R. Kelly Enhancing Life Method Strength Andy Mccloy  Trevor LaSarre Here’s a signup for my newsletter to get nearly 3 hours and 50 pages of content, a free acute:chronic workload calculator, basketball conditioning program, podcasts, and weekend learning goodies: [yikes-mailchimp form=”1″ submit=”Get learning goodies and more”]   SI Joint Pain Slideboards Bulging Discs

Read More

October Links and Review

Every week, my newsletter subscribers get links to some of the goodies that I’ve come across on the internets. Here were the goodies that my peeps got their learn on from this past August. If you want to get a copy of my weekend learning goodies every Friday, fill out the form below.  That way you can brag to all your friends about the cool things you’ve learned over the weekend. [yikes-mailchimp form=”1″ submit=”Hell yes I want weekend learning goodies every Friday!”] Biggest Lesson of the Month Life ought to focus on creating value, for the people you work with, for others, for the world, for yourself. When you create value, rewards will come. Quote of the Month “Common 99% thinking won’t get you uncommon 100% results” ~ MJ Demarco MJ Demarco is becoming one of my favorite authors, and he inspired the biggest lesson above. Hike of the Month I didn’t get much hiking in this past month, namely because I was prepping for my talks in the land of China. However, while in China, my hotel was right next to this really cool park that I walked through frequently. Amazing amalgamation of architecture, flora, and people. Training The Trick to a Perfect Rear Foot Elevated Split Squat My son, Trevor Rappa, gave us a great cue on nailing the rear foot elevated split squat. Perfect for those people who sag into the back leg. Weight Position During the Squat Want to more effectively load the legs when you are

Read More