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#490 Q Willey - Does Training With Barbells Cause More Injuries?

#490 Q Willey - Does Training With Barbells Cause More Injuries?

Author: Andrew Coates July 28, 2026 Duration: 57:32
Lift Free And Diet Hard with Andrew Coates
HealthHealth & FitnessFitness

Q Willey is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach who joins me to discuss barbell training, back pain, injury risk, metabolic health, rehabilitation, and the way strength training is often portrayed online.


Q joins me to discuss:


• Why no existing studies show that squats or deadlifts cause back pain

• Whether barbell lifts are inherently riskier than other forms of exercise

• How the loadability of barbells can get some lifters into trouble

• Why training systems matter more than individual exercises

• Load management, fatigue, and individual capacity

• Why pain can feel random even when contributing factors exist

• How sensational injury stories shape public perceptions of lifting

• The self-driving-car metaphor for anecdotes about barbell injuries

• Why lifting is often demonized more than other physical activities

• What imaging can and cannot tell us about back pain

• Spine surgery, structural findings, and pain

• The value of physical therapy beyond simply “fixing” injuries

• The relationship between metabolic health, obesity, pain, and rehabilitation outcomes

• How to discuss body weight respectfully in a clinical setting

• GLP-1 medications and a physical therapist’s professional scope

• And much more


Follow Q on Instagram:


@coach_q_physio


CHAPTERS


00:19 Meet Coach Q

01:08 Do Squats Hurt Your Back?

02:48 Load Management Basics

06:57 Why Pain Can Feel Random

10:45 Sensational Stories About Injury Risk

13:24 Spine Surgery and Medical Imaging

17:43 Why Lifting Gets Demonized

20:21 Barbells Versus Training Systems

30:37 The Value of Physical Therapy Beyond Fixes

37:22 Metabolic Health and Pain

42:38 Discussing Body Weight Respectfully

51:33 GLP-1 Medications and Professional Scope

55:33 Where to Find Q

56:54 Final Thanks and Wrap-Up


SUPPORT THE SHOW


If this episode helped you think differently about barbells, injury risk, pain, or rehabilitation:


• Subscribe and check out more episodes

• Share the episode on social media and tag @andrewcoatesfitness

• Send it to someone who is afraid that squats or deadlifts will automatically damage their back


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Instagram: @andrewcoatesfitness


https://www.andrewcoatesfitness.com


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Andrew Coates hosts Lift Free And Diet Hard, a conversation grounded in the belief that strength and wellness are built on more than just routines. This podcast moves beyond quick fixes to examine the principles and personal stories that shape a sustainable, intentional life. You’ll hear from a variety of inspiring guests who share not only their expertise but also the real-world challenges and triumphs they’ve faced. The discussions naturally weave together the science of fitness with the practicalities of daily choices, offering a nuanced look at what it means to truly care for your physical and mental health. Each episode is designed to provide actionable insights you can use to navigate your own path, fostering resilience and confidence whether you're in the gym or the kitchen. By focusing on informed decision-making over dogma, the Lift Free And Diet Hard podcast becomes a resource for anyone looking to cut through the noise of wellness culture. Andrew facilitates these explorations with a focus on empowerment, ensuring every conversation adds a layer of understanding to the complex journey of building a strong, healthy life.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

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Lift Free And Diet Hard with Andrew Coates
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