Last weekend I attended the Functional Movement Screen Workshop in Saco, Maine. It was phenomenal and I can’t wait to start using what I learned with clients!
I took the test this week and I am officially certified. 🙂
We are going to use this screen as part of our assessment/evaluation with all Skill of Strength clients. Mike already does this with all of his clients, but we realized that he shouldn’t be the only one who can screen!
Here’s a little background on the FMS.
What is the FMS?
The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) is the product of an exercise philosophy known as Functional Movement. This exercise philosophy and corresponding set of resources is based on sound science, years of innovation, and current research.
How it Works – Simplifying Movement
Put simply, the FMS is a ranking and grading system that documents movement patterns that are key to normal function. By screening these patterns, the FMS readily identifies functional limitations and asymmetries. These are issues that can reduce the effects of functional training and physical conditioning and distort body awareness. The FMS generates the Functional Movement Screen Score, which is used to target problems and track progress. This scoring system is directly linked to the most beneficial corrective exercises to restore mechanically sound movement patterns. Exercise professionals monitor the FMS score to track progress and to identify those exercises that will be most effective to restore proper movement and build strength in each individual.
What it Does – Widespread Benefits
The FMS simplifies the concept of movement and its impact on the body. Its streamlined system has benefits for everyone involved – individuals, exercise professionals, and physicians.
A few ways I plan to use the FMS and corrective exercise:
- With Prenatal Clients
- Screen clients before they become pregnant or soon after. With all of the extra hormones produced during pregnancy, most prenatal clients will be hypermobile and will see drastic changes in their movement patterns. After they give birth, my first goal will be to get clients back to the same score they had before pregnancy.
- With all Clients
- Discover imbalances and asymmetries. Find the weakest link. Incorporate appropriate corrective exercises and best of all, help clients move better!
If you have questions about the screen, please let me know. I’m trying to keep it general on my blog, but there are some really great things that can come from screening someone and correcting their movment patterns. It’s so important to move well.
One example: People who have a sore back generally ask for “back exercises” to help. By using this screen I can detect other issues…often times back pain is caused by other issues, not by an actual problem in the back. See my recent post where I had back pain due to tight hip flexors!
Hey,
Am thinking of doing this workshop and certification. Can you talk a bit more about how you use it, and how effective it is? Recommend the cert?
Thanks
Arvind
AWESOME workshop/certification and I would highly recommend it. I use it to evaluate my clients before they start working out so I know where there imbalances/assymetries/weaknesses are. My husband has been using this with his clients for years and has gotten incredible results for his clients. Many are in pain and can not complete certain movements, but weeks/months later are able to do so much more!
Thanks for the reply! Definitely tempted.