The movement assessment is the first step to starting any of our fitness programs. This assessment assists our trainers in developing a fitness plan that will help you reach your fitness goals. Whether you plan to work out independently or with us in individual or semi-private personal training sessions, we first need to see how you move.

The movement assessment provides a snapshot of general patterns. Strengths and weaknesses can be ascertained through a series of simple movements. This allows for a plan for remediation, suggestions for corrective movements, and ways to improve weak areas.

Usually in a movement assessment, we start by looking at leg and hip flexibility. For example, we will look at an active straight leg raise. The degree of your hamstring flexibility tells us how your pelvis and spine move, and whether you may have difficulty with more complicated patterns. We also look at hip flexor strength and ankle dorsiflexion.

Next, we look at how core strength and control interact. A static plank is often a good way to assess whether you can properly engage core musculature. This appears simple, although often times we find that people hold their core in too much of a neutral position. This is relevant when we ask you to do more complicated patterns or put a load on your frame (weighted movements).

Frequently, we use body weight squats to tell us how your body moves through space. We are looking at spine extension, ankle flexibility, glute activation, hip flexor strength, and pelvic placement.

It?s important to pay attention to your current movement patterns when designing a fitness program. Using correct form to build on your strengths, and actively work to improve areas of weaknesses, will help you reach your fitness goals. If you are not using correct form in your exercises you could be doing more harm than good. Our trainers are highly educated with years of experience in creating fitness programs geared toward individual strengths, weaknesses, and goals. Contact us for more information on our movement assessments.