Why we use the FMS ( functional movement screen) on all of our clients.
Three or four years ago I started a personal training job at Fit Corp in Boston. I still had my studio, although it was much smaller at the time. For some reason I couldn’t quite give up the gym world yet, and since I lived in South Boston at the time I thought it would be great to work 2 jobs…one of them being in Boston.
This was probably the smartest decision I ever made. I always find it fascinating to look back on what was once not a big decision, and now to see how much has changed in my life. The trainers I worked with at Fit Corp and the people I was introduced to from there really ended up molding me into the trainer I am today.
Sam Berry, who is probably one of the most passionate trainers I have ever met, was Sold on the idea of the Functional Movement Screening ( designed by Gray Cook, and Lee Burton) that he made all of the Fit Corp Trainers Learn It, Understand It, and Implement It ,with all training clients.
The Functional Movement Screen, is an assessment tool that tests the squat pattern, hurdle step ( single leg), Lunge, shoulder mobility, ASLR ( hamstring mobility), push up, and quadruped stability.
When I first learned the FMS I wasn’t sold on it right away. After my Chek Training and certifications I thought that there was no way that this 15 minute movement assessment could show me key movement dysfunctions in the body, as well as asymmetries that were causing imbalance during movement patterns.
I decided to take the FMS weekend certification. After that weekend I was sold on the idea. I could Not believe how much I could learn about a client, their movement patters, imbalances, etc. Not only that, but results for certain tests would explain the reasoning behind results on other tests. This assessment protocol really connected the entire body and system.
I took the FMS course almost 2 years ago now, and each time I test a client I learn something new. Every client that comes to The Training Fix is required to go through the FMS so that we can design a program that will go after their weaknesses, correct their asymmetries and imbalances, and improve their movement patterns to help them perform and function better in their every day lives.
Everyone can benefit from the FMS – Even our trainers constantly get tested. The environment, our work schedules, our workouts, etc are always changing the way we sit, move, and shifting our natural posture. Therefore using corrective exercises from the FMS can help pull us back into balance.
Check out this video below. Bruce is in great shape. He is a cross fit coach. He is a great trainer. He’s very strong, and he loves to workout. We took him through the FMS and found that we needed to clean up some of his movement patterns. This video below focuses on the DEEP SQUAT.
Take a look at the difference in his mid/lower back, as well as the forward shift, during the squat at the beginning of the video in comparison to the end of the video. We literally did 5-8 minutes of corrective exercises in between those two shots of the squats. I find it quite magical 
For more information on the functional movement screen, what it does, how it works, corrective exercises, articles and more check out Functional Movement Systems
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