Don't Build Strength on Dysfunction
Why Core Movement Comes First
We all begin by learning to move from the inside out. As infants, we first develop core control before reaching with our arms or crawling with our legs. This neurological sequence is not just for babies; it serves as a blueprint for how we are intended to move, train, and perform.
However, many gym workouts today do not emphasize this approach. It is possible to perform a variety of seated exercises that target the arms and legs without engaging the core. Isolated muscle work without foundational stability can be likened to constructing a building on an unstable foundation.
This is why integrated strength training, such as using kettlebells, Indian clubs, and performing Olympic lifts, can be beneficial. When done correctly, these exercises require core control with each repetition. Before starting with a barbell or swinging a kettlebell, it is important to consider a key question.
Are you building strength on a solid foundation—or on dysfunction?
The Hierarchy of Movement
In my practice, we follow a simple progression. Movement quality must come before performance. Our goal hierarchy looks like this:
Flexibility – Can you move fully?
Symmetry and Balance – Do both sides work together?
Strength and Power – Can you produce force?
Speed and Endurance – Can you sustain it?
If managing body weight with control and balance is difficult, it may not be advisable to add extra weight. I experienced this firsthand. Some years ago, I was experiencing shoulder pain but continued intense lifting. Doctors recommended surgery to remove part of my collarbone. I persisted with training, working around the pain, until a friend suggested trying chiropractic care. This became a significant moment for me.
However, chiropractic treatment alone did not resolve the issue. I needed to relearn how to move—restoring symmetry, enhancing core control, and correcting my execution of basic movements. This approach ultimately stopped the recurrence of pain.
How Do You Know If Your Movement Is Dysfunctional?
Simple: You screen it.
Most people don’t know what healthy movement feels like. But we do—we’ve studied it. And more importantly, we measure it.
Asymmetry is the second-leading cause of injury. Even if you feel fine, dysfunction can hide beneath the surface—until you’re tired, stressed, or decelerating. That’s when injuries happen. Strength hides dysfunction—until it can’t anymore.
That’s why we use movement screening to uncover hidden risks before they become painful injuries.
Our Approach: Root Cause Meets Real Function
We use three clinically validated tools from the Functional Movement System to assess where your body may be compensating or vulnerable:
Functional Movement Screen (FMS): 7 movements scored 0–3 to identify injury risk in pain-free individuals.
Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA): Also 7 movements, graded as functional, dysfunctional, or painful. This helps us focus not on individual muscles, but whole movement patterns.
Y-Balance Test: A dynamic test that helps predict ankle instability and ACL risk, especially in athletes.
These tools give us a full picture. We don’t just treat pain—we address the root issues behind performance limits, recurring injuries, or slow recovery.
Why It Matters
A workout can be provided by anyone. We focus on achieving long-term results through a system that highlights alignment, balance, and purposeful progression.
Instead of solely pursuing fitness, consider developing resilience, restoring function, and safeguarding your future.
If your goal is to improve movement, enhance performance, and prevent injury, consider scheduling a movement screening for yourself or your team today.
