Asymmetrical Weight Shift (Left) & the Novice Client

by Brent Brookbush MS, PES, CES, CSCS, ACSM H/FS

History: 55yo, Female, history of low-back pain and knee pain

Goal: “Feel better and get in shape”

Results of Movement Assessment:

Asymmetrical Weight Shigt Left:

Flexibility (Tight/Overactive Muscles):

Left Calve
Left Anterior Adductors
Left TFL
Left Biceps Femoris
Right Psoas (omitted from warm-up in phase 1 for time purposes)
Right Piriformis
Right Posterior Adductor Magnus (omitted from warm-up in phase 1 for time purposes)
Right Biceps Femoris (omitted from warm-up in phase 1 for time purposes)
Right Latissimus Dorsi
SI Joint Dysfunction - Self Administered Mobilization for SI Joint (Trunk Rotation)

Activation Circuit (Long/Underactive Structures):

A dedicated client with more time may add release, stretching, and activation exercises for the omitted structures.

Subsystem Integration:

Relative Flexibility Resistance Training Progrssions:

Upper Body: No Overhead Movements
Lower Body: Relative Flexibility Progression
- Ball Wall Squats à Squats à Step-Ups

Integrated Warm-Up: Assymetrical Weight Shift

Note: This integrated warm-up looks very long, but keep in mind the client is performing most of these exercises on one side. If equipment is gathered in advance you should progress through the exercises fairly quick, keeping the integrated warm-up to around 20 minutes.
Note: Individuals with an asymmetrical weight shift should be reassessed more often than clients who present with bilateral dysfunction (reassess weekly?). When the client no longer presents with an asymmetrical weight shift it is important to adopt a bilateral corrective exercise routine/integrated warm-up. Most often a successful corrective strategy for an asymmetrical weight shift will result in a client that presents with some bilateral lower-leg dysfunction when reassessed. The integrated warm-up should be changed to reflect their progress. It is not uncommon for a client to be left with a some bilateral LPHC dysfunction - in which case the client’s integrated warm-up should reflect this change. (See other case studies for samples of integrated warm-ups addressing these issues.)

Phase 1: (4-6 weeks)

Phase 2: (4-6 weeks)

Phase 3: (4-6 weeks)

See a PDF of the program design template and sample routines by clicking the link below

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Questions, comments, and criticisms are welcomed and encouraged