Nicholas Martin-Jones Nicholas Martin-Jones

The Science of Spotting: Why Just Touching the Bar Can Make a Heavy Lift Feel Easier

Ever struggled through a heavy bench press, only for your spotter to touch the bar and suddenly make the weight feel easier? It's not necessarily because they've lifted it for you. Discover the fascinating relationship between force production, barbell velocity, sensory feedback and the precise timing of assistance—and why skilled spotting is both an art and a science.

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Nicholas Martin-Jones Nicholas Martin-Jones

Why Your Squat Looks Different: The Science of Femur Length, Height and Squat Biomechanics

Why can one person squat with a perfectly upright torso while another leans forwards, despite using the same weight? The answer may have less to do with flexibility or poor technique than you think. From femur length and body proportions to squat depth, bar position and joint mechanics, we explore why taller and shorter lifters often move differently, what the science tells us about mechanical work, and why effective strength training should adapt to the individual rather than forcing everyone into the same technique.

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Nicholas Martin-Jones Nicholas Martin-Jones

You Can’t Rehabilitate a High-Load Problem With Passive Treatment Alone

Pain relief and rehabilitation are not the same thing. Passive treatments such as massage, dry needling or taping may sometimes help symptoms, but lasting rehabilitation requires rebuilding the strength and physical capacity needed for everyday life, work and sport. At Poseidon Performance in Dartmouth, rehabilitation focuses on progressive exercise and loading to help you move better, become stronger and return confidently to the activities that matter.

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Nicholas Martin-Jones Nicholas Martin-Jones

Back Pain Rehabilitation in Dartmouth: A Strength-Based Approach to Recovery

Looking for back pain rehabilitation in Dartmouth? Poseidon Performance provides individual, exercise-based rehabilitation for lower back pain, recurring back problems and return to activity. The focus is not simply temporary pain relief, but rebuilding movement, strength and confidence so you can return to the things that matter.

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Nicholas Martin-Jones Nicholas Martin-Jones

Muscle Power and Longevity: Being Strong Isn’t Enough

Being strong matters as we age, but strength alone may not tell the whole story. Research following nearly 3,900 adults found that relative muscle power was a substantially stronger predictor of mortality than relative muscle strength. Here’s what the research actually means — and why training for lifelong capability should include both strength and speed.

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Nicholas Martin-Jones Nicholas Martin-Jones

Is a Rounded Back Really Dangerous When You Deadlift?

A rounded back during a deadlift is often labelled dangerous, but the latest research suggests spinal position is only one part of injury risk. Load management, fatigue, control and training history may matter just as much. A neutral spine can be useful, but it is not an automatic safety shield.

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Nicholas Martin-Jones Nicholas Martin-Jones

Strength Training, Cardio and Longevity: Why You Need Both

Strength training is strongly associated with longevity, but it’s only part of the picture. Research following nearly 150,000 adults suggests combining strength training with aerobic exercise provides the greatest benefits for long-term health.

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Nicholas Martin-Jones Nicholas Martin-Jones

Why Your Body Needs Stress

Strength training works because your body adapts to stress. By progressively challenging your muscles, bones and tendons, you become stronger, more resilient and better equipped for everyday life. Discover why resistance training is one of the most effective ways to improve health, maintain independence and support healthy ageing.

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Nicholas Martin-Jones Nicholas Martin-Jones

The Ozempic Illusion: The Hidden Cost of the World’s Most Popular Weight-Loss Drugs

Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro have revolutionised weight loss, but no powerful medication comes without risks. Before chasing the latest “skinny jab”, it’s worth understanding the recognised side effects, the unanswered long-term questions, and why lasting health still depends on strength training, nutrition and consistent lifestyle habits—not injections alone.

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Nicholas Martin-Jones Nicholas Martin-Jones

Samantha - Rediscovering Strength, Confidence and the Joy of Training

Sam Swift, a business owner in Dartmouth, was introduced to Poseidon Performance by a friend and quickly rediscovered her passion for strength training. Now training three to four times a week, she has built impressive strength, confidence and consistency, proving that the right environment can completely transform the way you approach fitness.

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Nicholas Martin-Jones Nicholas Martin-Jones

How to Optimise Testosterone Naturally: The Truth About Sleep, Strength Training and Men’s Health

Testosterone has become one of the most talked-about hormones in modern health and fitness, surrounded by myths, expensive supplements and endless social media advice. Yet for most men, optimising testosterone is far less complicated than the internet would have you believe. In this article, we explore the science behind sleep, strength training, body composition, stress and nutrition, and explain what really makes the biggest difference to men’s hormonal health and performance.

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Nicholas Martin-Jones Nicholas Martin-Jones

Your Pelvis Isn’t Out Why so many people are told it is, and what modern rehabilitation has learned about pain, posture and movement.

“I’ve been told my pelvis is out.”

It’s a phrase heard in clinics, gyms and treatment rooms every day. Sometimes it’s your pelvis. Sometimes it’s your SI joint. More recently, it’s your glutes that apparently aren’t firing.

But what happens when different clinicians give different explanations for the same pain?

This article explores why rehabilitation became so fascinated with hidden dysfunctions, what modern evidence says about pelvic alignment and glute activation, and why your body may be far more robust than you’ve been led to believe.

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Nicholas Martin-Jones Nicholas Martin-Jones

Mandi- The West End Dancer Chasing Her First Pull-Up

Former West End performer Mandi joined Poseidon Performance with a goal of achieving her first pull-up. Alongside building strength and confidence, she has become one of the most positive and supportive members of the Poseidon community, bringing energy, humour and encouragement to every session.

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Nicholas Martin-Jones Nicholas Martin-Jones

Carl - From Neck Pain and Old Injuries to Strength, Confidence and Athleticism

Carl, a keen runner with a physically demanding caring role, originally came to Poseidon Performance with persistent neck pain and the long-term effects of a previous skiing knee injury. Since training consistently, he has significantly improved his back strength, movement quality and overall athleticism, reducing pain while becoming stronger, more resilient and more physically capable in everyday life.

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Nicholas Martin-Jones Nicholas Martin-Jones

Deborah - Rediscovering Strength, Confidence and Capability Through Training

Rebecca, Chairwoman of the Dartmouth Tennis Association, began training at Poseidon Performance concerned about recurring aches, injuries and gradually slowing down physically. Through consistent twice-weekly strength training, she has developed remarkable confidence and capability, progressing to exercises such as squats, pull-ups and deadlifts that she never believed she would be able to perform.

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Nicholas Martin-Jones Nicholas Martin-Jones

Leah From Distance Runner to Discovering Real Strength

Leah, a Dartmouth local and former Rockfish manager, began training at Poseidon Performance as a slim endurance runner wanting to become stronger. After initially working through minor back issues and building confidence under load, she developed rapidly into a powerful and highly capable strength athlete, discovering a level of physical strength and resilience she had never previously explored.

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Nicholas Martin-Jones Nicholas Martin-Jones

What You Actually Mean When You Say You Want to “Get Toned”

“Getting toned” is one of the most common goals in fitness—but it’s also one of the most misunderstood. Despite what the industry suggests, there’s no such thing as a “toning” workout. What people are really chasing is a leaner, more defined physique—and that comes down to building muscle and reducing body fat.

The problem is that most people choose methods that don’t match the outcome they want. Classes, light weights, and high-rep sessions can feel challenging, but without progressive overload, they rarely provide enough stimulus to significantly change muscle mass or shape.

If you want to look “toned,” you need to train in a way that forces adaptation. That means structured resistance training, a clear progression over time, and nutrition that supports both muscle development and fat loss. Everything else is support—not the driver.

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Gym Chains from Pullum sports
A row of Watson dumbbells on a workout rack in a gym,