I must admit I have thought about writing an article like this about the Quadratus Lumborum (QL) and Psoas muscles for a very long time but have avoided it, for I was afraid it would take me too far down the rabbit hole of confusion and contradictory conclusions that make absolutely no sense. However, I have come across problems with this muscle several times recently when working with various people with hip problems or those that have tried to execute the complex multi-joint exercises I have been using a lot and thought I should try to explain why this happens, and more importantly what you can do about it. To make this easier to understand and also minimize the length of the article I have split this into two parts with part one about the QL and part two about the psoas. They really work together to create stability of the spine during movement although they are often misunderstood and trained as prime moving muscles. The QL helps form the lateral stabilizing system needed for walking and single leg stance whereas the psoas allows the hip to flex without damaging the spine. There is no doubting they are very unique muscles and when you understand their purpose it is easier to determine what exercises work best and how to prevent problems from occurring.

In my last article I discussed many different types of strength training and fitness equipment choices and discussed what I found to be the most essential to the least essential. While this prompted some feedback one of the most interesting questions was related to a picture that showed a guy doing a bench press versus a guy doing the cable press with a caption asking which exercises yields the best results?  The question was meant to be about the equipment being used but some thought it was asking which one is the better exercise choice? Once again there is no definitive answer to this question as it all depends on the person and the reasons they are using the exercise. Having said that I tend to rate the bench press below several similar exercises and I believe it is highly over-rated in terms of its overall benefits, and under-rated for the risks it presents. In this article, I will explain why I don’t rate the bench press so highly and the many other exercises you can use instead that deliver a much greater result.

Someone on You Tube last week asked me why I like to use a lot of different types of strength training equipment with my own training and also with my one on one clients? They wanted to know if the reason for this was for variety and to keep it interesting so you don't get bored, or if there was a more specific reason I do this. Firstly, the equipment I use is not for variety and fun but because it aligns with the methods I use to improve movement efficiency, strength, and overall function. Some tools are better than others, and some only apply to certain individuals who may need them due to injury or a sporting requirement meaning I may only use them from time to time. This led me to the question, what type of equipment do I find is the best? This is a question that I am regularly asked by people looking to invest in equipment for a home gym. In today's article I will explain what my favourite types of equipment are and why.