Every gym faces a similar scenario nearly every day: a newcomer enters and says they are interested in starting to work out at that gym. The trainers and clients don’t know each other at all, nor do they know each other’s goals for the working relationship. So to solve this problem, almost all fitness facilities give their new clients basic assessments at the beginning of their time there. WHF is no exception, but what sets us apart is the type of assessment we give. We don’t immediately measure how much weight you can bench press or how many miles you can run on the treadmill before you reach exhaustion. Instead, we evaluate your foundational movements. These include the most routine motions, such as sitting up, standing up, and reaching for something above your head.
It may seem like there is no correlation between simply sitting down in a chair and exercising. Yet there is. The most basic movements, the ones we do dozens of times a day without even thinking about them, can project our strengths and weaknesses in working out. Sitting down in a chair represents a squat exercise. Standing up out of a chair represents a deadlift. Reaching for something on a shelf above your head represents an overhead press. You may be surprised to learn that even the most complicated exercises can be broken down into a series of simple movements that we take for granted.
Our trainers study your basic movements in a foundational movement assessment, and then use their observations to project how you will perform in certain exercises. Once we observe you, we are able to create unique long-term fitness plans that will help you for years to come. The movement assessment is the first step to creating your fitness longevity plan. We pride ourselves on our attention to detail and on never being shortsighted. Our professionals keep your goals in mind while providing the best exercises for you. It all starts with the most basic movements.
A few years ago, our trainers were studying a new client who had made the switch from a different gym in the Newtown area. We conducted our movement assessment with him and immediately discovered that he was just slightly off-balance in some of his basic movements. Without ever realizing it, he was favoring his right side over his left when he lifted light objects over his head or pulled them down from a shelf. It was barely a noticeable difference, but it was an essential one. By noticing the balance issue, our trainers were able to correct the problem before it grew into a bad habit. Had it fallen through the cracks, the client could have injured himself by putting more strain on his right side than his left when lifting heavy weights. Our assessment helped him find the proper technique and develop it into a good habit.
At WHF we use our cutting-edge knowledge and expertise to help you go above and beyond your fitness goals.
Written by: Anthony Iati and Christian Zetterberg
