Is a movement screen worth it before starting training?
A movement screen is not mandatory to start a training program. But if you want to measure things objectively and see whether the program is actually working, a screen is very valuable.
Do I have to get screened before I am allowed to train?
No, a movement screen is not mandatory to start a training program.
You don't need a screen to earn the right to exercise, and you don't need to pass a movement test before you're allowed to exercise.
If you're healthy and starting a sensible program, training itself can teach us a lot about how you move.
When is a movement screen worth doing?
A screen is worth it when knowing your starting point helps you train smarter.
I think a screen becomes more valuable as your demands get higher.
Previous injuries, significant asymmetries, specific performance goals or a demanding new program can make establishing a baseline much more useful.
What does a screen see that a workout does not?
A good screen gives you information before fatigue or load even enter the equation.
It can isolate mobility, balance, control and different movement strategies that may be harder to tell apart once you're in a hard workout.
Does a screen tell me if the program is working?
If you want to know whether the program is actually working, a movement screen is very valuable.
Without a baseline measurement, we'll never know how far you've come.
We also won't know how to improve your numbers confidently with the prescriptions we're doing.
If you're a high-level performer who wants to know you'll reach your goals, you can't manage what you don't measure.
So is it worth it?
If you want to track your goals and measure things objectively, a movement screen is very valuable.
But at the end of the day, a movement screen is not mandatory.
Common questions
What does a movement screen look at?
A screen can isolate mobility, balance, control and the different movement strategies you use, which may be harder to tell apart once you're in a hard workout.