When starting out training, it is vitally important to learn movement patterns.  The reason for this is, that it assists in teaching coordination, mobility, efficient and correct movement, and a reduced risk of injury.

They are fundamental movement the human body performs with the involvement of multiple muscle groups.  The common movement patterns are, the squat, hip hinge, lunge, push, and the pull.  We utilise all these movements performing everyday activities such as lifting an object, pushing/pulling an object or person, training with free weights, kettlebells, and bodyweight exercises.

Because movement patterns set the foundation for all other types of exercises and training. Learning how to movement correctly leads to an improvement in technique and reduces the risk of injury.

It also helps beginners build awareness of movement and control.  When you realise you are moving incorrectly, you can make readjustments to the correct way to move.

This involves moving the hips backwards and forwards in a horizontal motion whilst maintaining a neutral position in the spine.  This movement pattern is used in various exercises such as the kettlebell swing, barbell squat, and deadlift.

This is a movement that involves the body performing a combination of a hip hinge movement and a squat movement.  This allows the body to bend at the hips, then the knees till the thighs are roughly parallel to the ground.  The muscles used involve the thighs, hamstrings, glutes, and core.

Exercises that use the squat movement pattern include, bodyweight squats, barbell/dumbbell squats, kettlebell goblet squats and hindu squats.

This involves either a forward or reverse step then lowering the body towards the ground whilst maintaining a 90 degree bend with both knees and the lunging knee being roughly a few inches off the ground.

This is a great movement for improving stability, balance and targeting the glutes, thighs, and hamstrings.

This movement pattern involves you pushing an object away from your body using the muscles in the chest, shoulders, and triceps.  Exercises that involve the use of a pushing movement include, push ups, barbell and dumbbell bench press, barbell, and dumbbell shoulder press.

This movement involves you pulling an object towards your body using the muscles of the back, lats and biceps.  The critical part of this movement pattern is ensuring you pull your shoulder blades back and down before you pull the object towards your body.  Exercises that involve this movement pattern include, lat pull downs, seated cable rows, dumbbell rows, and pull ups.