Blog

Mend Physical Therapy Blog and Injury Information
Strength Training For Skiers

Strength training is an essential component of any skier’s fitness regimen and one of our key interventions we prescribe in our Boulder Physical Therapy and Lafayette Physical Therapy clinics.  Skiing demands high levels of muscular strength, endurance, and balance, particularly in the lower body. Strengthening the core and leg muscles helps skiers maintain proper form,...

Top 5 Tips For Losing Weight With Exercise

One of the top reasons participants start an exercise program is weight loss.  This goal is achievable with exercise but is much harder to accomplish compared to improved mobility, strength, or balance.  The difficulty of losing weight with exercise is also one of the leading reasons people quit their exercise programs after an initial 4-6...

5 Tips To Improve Bone Density With Weight Training

In our Boulder Physical Therapy and Lafayette Physical Therapy clinics we utilize the latest research findings to help patients achieve their goals.  Over the last few years we have successfully utilized the findings on utilization of weight training to improve bone density among at risk groups such as patients diagnosed with osteopenia, osteoporosis, as well...

Moving Beyond Core Exercises To Relieve Your Low Back Pain

Low back pain is one of the most common conditions we see in our Boulder Physical Therapy and Lafayette Physical Therapy clinics.  Our experts utilize manual therapy including spinal manipulation, dry needling, and high level exercise to help patients return to 100%.  Tests are performed to see which specific muscles in the core are strong...

What Is The Best Weekly Split For Muscle Growth And Muscle Strength Gains?

Strength training is an essential part of any weekly workout program.  Priority should be given to aerobic exercise first, followed by strength training, before participants pursue other forms of exercise such as stretching.  At our Boulder Physical Therapy and Lafayette Physical Therapy clinics strength training is an essential part of each patient’s recovery from disease,...

How Much Shoulder Strength Should I Have To Swim?

Swimming is one of the more popular forms of exercise in Boulder County.  In our Boulder Physical Therapy and Lafayette Physical Therapy practices we treat swimmers of all ability levels to help them return to pool as quickly as possible.  These participants require a significant amount of mid back mobility, as well as, upper, core,...

Training The Finger Extensors For Rock Climbers

Rock climbing is a challenging sport. However, training for climbing might be an even more challenging endeavor. To rock climb well requires developing strength, endurance, power, mobility, and sport specific skill. Moreover, it requires developing all of those areas for the entirety of the body due to the whole body nature of the sport. However,...

What Is The Best Number Of Sets For Muscle Size?

In our Boulder Physical Therapy and Lafayette Physical Therapy clinics we are often working with patients to restore and/or improve their muscle strength.  Strength is a measurement of force production from a muscle based primarily on the ability to coordinate the nervous system and a given muscle, as well as, a muscle’s size.  Strength can...

Why Every Cyclist Should Strength Train

It is well known that cycling is considered to be a highly beneficial sport for enhancing cardiovascular fitness, yet studies show little or no corresponding improvement in bone mass. Previous articles have shown that athletes who participate in non-weight bearing sports such as cycling or swimming (and do not also perform concurrent weight bearing exercise)...