Chanhassen Personal Trainer & Weight Loss Expert Justin Yule Discusses the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) And Answer Your Questions About How It's Used in Our Group Personal Training Program

For a few years now we’ve incorporated the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) into our Group Personal Training program at Chanhassen Fitness Revolution. We use it to INDIVIDUALIZE the workouts and provide the best personal training experience possible for our Members – even in a large group setting.

Generally, our Members like and appreciate our attention to detail and the fact that we’re not a one-size-fits-all program, nor do we try to “beat up” our clients and just try to make them sore…

HOWEVER, we still get some “questions” around the FMS, our bracelet system and “not letting people do certain exercises.”

There’s sometimes confusion, frustration and even anger around it…

So, I thought I’d use this opportunity to provide some more clarity around what the FMS is and why we use it. I’m also going to answer the most common questions that come up. NOTE: If you have another question ask it in the comments section because I’d love to provide you with the answer. :-)

First, let me give you the reasoning (straight from the source) behind the Functional Movement Screen:

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.

So, in a nutshell, the FMS is designed to

Identify functional limitations and asymmetries which have been linked to increased injury risk
Provide exercises to restore proper movement, and build stability, mobility, and strength in each individual

By the way, you’ll find this info and more at the link below:

How to Choose The Best Exercises for You

“WHY DON’T OTHER TRAINING FACILITIES IN THE AREA USE THE FMS OR BRACELET SYSTEM?”

I can’t say for sure, but here are the two reasons I think:

They simply don’t know. Hey, I’ve been training clients for almost 20 years now, and I just learned about the FMS about 4 years ago, AND I waited a while before I implemented it into our training program.
It’s a pain in the ass! Seriously, it takes time to administer the full assessment, explain what it means, and then work it into the program. Coaching a training session would be MUCH easier and less stressful if we just let everyone do the same thing. I also wouldn’t have to argue with people or write posts like this one. ;-b

I can also say that, WITHOUT QUESTION, we’ve had trials not join because we wouldn’t “let them” do exercises that they’ve been doing in other programs, and they just didn’t want to hear the rationale – safety just isn’t sexy to a lot of people.

At the same time, people feel our program is less fun than others because we don’t bounce around, do tons of cardio moves, and listen to pop music. Basically, doing the right thing costs us money each and every month! However, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

“BUT I WANT TO WORK HARDER!”

Do you really?

Do you want to work harder or do you want better results?

I’m going to go off on a limb and assume it’s the results you want – you just think working harder is the answer. By the way, if you think that one or two corrective exercises vs. metabolic/strength exercises in a workout is going to be the difference maker in your results you’re very much mistaken. It’s the overall program that matters, and let’s not forget – ABS ARE MADE IN THE KITCHEN!

By the way, while some correctives may be more about improving range of motion, stability or flexibility and are “easy” to perform, some correctives can be really, really hard.

Again, it’s not about working harder. It’s about working SMARTER.

Oh, and I know you know, when you really get after it and push some weight following a solid program, it’s damn hard (in a good way) and feels damn good…

“OK. I GET IT, BUT HOW DO I GET RID OF THESE DAMN BRACELETS?!”

Note to Non-Members: We use color coded bands to identify any movement dysfunctions you have. This is one way we individualize your workout based. Long story short, you don’t want to load a dysfunctional movement pattern. Instead, you want to work to correct it.

So, how do you correct your dysfunctions?

Well, for starters DO WHAT I SAY! ;-b Do What Your PT Said The First Time

By doing the appropriate exercises for you at each station you’ll:

1) avoid making the dysfunction worse and

2) improve the dysfunction (when it’s a true corrective vs. an alternate).

In addition, your individualized warm-up is designed to fix your highest priority dysfunction.

To make additional improvements, I encourage you to do the individualized warm-up routine on the days you’re not working out at FR (you’ll find the instructional videos in the Inner Circle). It’s a great way to start and/or end the day!

“HOW DO I KNOW WHEN I’M READY TO RE-SCREEN?”

Great question! I’m glad you asked. :-)

If you feel like you’re moving better in a particular pattern you might be ready for a re-screen.
DO A SELF-ASSESSMENT. There are video tutorials on how to do a home-version of each screen on yourself in the Inner Circle – under the Training tab you’ll see Movement Screen.

Personal Responsibility

I’d like to address one last thing briefly, although this could easily be another post entirely.

If we want to MAXIMIZE results we must each take PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY for our health and fitness.

The information and resources are out there (Janell and I do our best to collect and distill what’s important for you with our blog posts, newsletters, podcasts, manuals and workshops), but it’s up to each of us to read/watch/listen to what is provided. If you’re not happy with where you’re at currently, it’s NOT the workout program, and it certainly isn’t having to do Cook Hip Lifts instead of Bulgarian Split Squats because of an In-Line Lunge dysfunction!

Working out comprises of 2-6 hours of most of your week. It’s how you use the rest of the information we provide that takes your results to the next level.

There’s no question, if you keep everything else the same and just show up for the workouts and work hard you will see positive changes in your body and feel/perform better. However, you will eventually reach a plateau – NOT a genetic limitation plateau, but a what you’re putting into your program to what you’re going to get out of your program plateau.

In other words, if you want MORE/BETTER results you need to start taking advantage of the OTHER aspects of Chanhassen Fitness Revolution that I believe further separates us from the competition…

If you’re not a Member yet CLICK HERE to join us in Chanhassen or HERE to join us online.

I love designing our training program and coaching our Members. So does Janell, along with creating nutrition programs. But, we also LOVE providing EDUCATION & SUPPORT. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT!!!
WE ARE DEDICATED TO YOUR SUCCESS.