Client Assessments: How Do I Initially Assess My Clients?

First, it depends on the client.

I used to run all my clients through the same movement screen. I no longer do this.

But something I do with all new clients is gather information about their lifestyles.

To name a few things this includes:

• work

• relationships

• responsibilities

• sleep

• stress

• nutrition

We use this information to improve factors outside of training. Conveniently, improvement in these factors assists in improvements in training.

I still use movement screens and range of motion testing with some clients. This could be clients that have issues accomplishing certain motions or tasks, or who need a certain range of motion for their goals.

For certain clients, I will also evaluate strength levels. This could be for clients with performance goals or chronic pain who would benefit from increasing their capacity.

Something I do not do is assign cause to someone's strength or lack of it. For someone in pain, it is out of my scope to diagnose and say that their strength is the cause of their pain. It also wouldn't make sense unless I had their pre-injury strength levels.

For athletes, I assess based on the needs of their sport. We might look at a few things:

• Range of Motion

• Vertical Jump

• Broad Jump

• Sprint Speed

• Throwing Velocity

• Swing Speed

• Combine testing

Assessments are all about information gathering.

There is no pass/fail.

It’s just a starting point. Helps us prioritize and know where to begin.

This leads to more effective progress.