When people start training, the temptation is to get straight to the work: pick a programme, load the bar and go. But two people can follow exactly the same programme and get very different results – because they started from very different places. A movement screen is how we find out where you are starting from.
What is a movement screen?
A movement screen is a structured look at how you perform a set of fundamental patterns: squatting, hinging, lunging, pushing, pulling, rotating and balancing. Rather than testing how much you can lift, it looks at the quality of the movement – range of motion, control, symmetry between left and right, and any positions that cause discomfort.
At Pinnacle Black our version is the Pinnacle Movement Rating. It takes you through each pattern, records what we see and finishes with a clear summary of your priorities.
Why it matters
It shows you where to start
If your ankles are stiff, deep squats will be compromised however hard you try. If one hip moves very differently from the other, single-leg work becomes a priority. The screen tells us which levers to pull first, so your early sessions make the biggest possible difference.
It helps you train around old injuries
Many people carry a history – a rolled ankle, a sore back, a shoulder that never felt the same after a fall. A screen highlights how those old issues show up in your movement today, so we can build strength around them sensibly rather than ignoring them.
It gives you a baseline
Re-testing the same patterns every few months is one of the most motivating parts of training. You can see, in black and white, how your movement has changed – not just how much heavier the weights have become.
What a screen is not
A movement screen is not a medical diagnosis. If anything during the assessment suggests you need to see a physiotherapist or doctor, we will tell you. What the screen does is give your coach the information they need to plan your training well.
Book your Pinnacle Movement Rating
The Pinnacle Movement Rating costs £45 and is the first step in every personal training programme at our Wetherby studio. It is also a useful check-up if you already train on your own and want an expert view. Get in touch to arrange yours, or see all of our packages.
