Q: I want to improve my knowledge of functional anatomy. I know Cressey did a comprehensive gross anatomy course at UCONN as a grad student, but how do you approach strengthening this area in your knowledge base? Was there a specific text you used? Do you memorize origins, insertions, and anatomical structures in a musculoskeletal anatomy index? There’s a ton of information out there, but I’m trying to find the best approach so I don’t waste time. Thanks in advance for any help you might offer.
A: That’s a really good question and a common hurdle for new and aspiring trainers. Functional anatomy is still something I’m trying to master, and it’s one of my weaker areas, along with the bench press. I’m comfortable with the basics of anatomy, but I wouldn’t call myself an expert. If I hear someone discuss shoulder kinematics for ten minutes, I can feel out of my depth.
Often it feels like there’s crickets in my head during conversations with him. I usually get what he’s saying, but sometimes I end up looking like I have no clue. He’s very precise about anatomy. Surrounding yourself with people who are smarter than you is a good strategy.
I’ve long advocated finding mentors or local coaches/therapists you can observe. Most are willing to let you shadow them for a day or two, or even weekly, as long as you’re respectful and not constantly peppering them with questions while they’re working.
There’s a time and place to discuss “shop.” When they’re coaching four athletes or treating a patient is not it. You have two eyes, two ears, and one mouth—use them in that order.
For me, it’s about repeated exposure to the material. It isn’t just about which book or article you read, but regularly exposing yourself to the material. Variety helps. If possible, I’d pick blogs and articles over textbooks, since they tend to present ideas in simpler, digestible ways.
The gold standard texts still exist: Shirley Sahrmann’s Diagnosis of and Treatment of Movement Impairment Syndromes, Kendall’s Muscles: Testing and Function, Thomas Myers’ Anatomy Trains, and Gray Cook’s Movement. I’ve read them, but they’re dense and sometimes overwhelming if you try to read too much at once.
I’ve found Mike Robertson’s Functional Anatomy for Bad Asses Parts I and II to be excellent. They’re a few years old, but they provide a clear, precise overview of functional anatomy.
Another strong resource is Robertson’s and Cressey’s Building the Efficient Athlete DVD series, which shows how to apply anatomy to solid programming.
I could go on, but here are a few sites worth bookmarking: EricCressey.com, RobertsonTrainingSystems.com, BretContreras.com, DeanSomserset.com, KevinNeeld.com. These sources will keep you busy with learning functional anatomy.
If anyone wants to share their go-to resources, feel free to add them in the comments. I also link to my Recommended Resources page for more ideas.
And to add one more thought—becoming a better coach is crucial. It’s common for interns to want to focus on anatomy and assessment, but many struggle to teach a proper push-up. While it’s helpful to know origins and insertions, it’s equally important to develop coaching skills. Hone your coaching abilities and you’ll be more successful in this field. If you can teach a push-up well, you’ll be on the right track.
In short: the classic texts are valuable references, but reading a variety of sources helps more than any single book. Build a habit of regular exposure. Read diverse blogs and articles. Focus on applying what you learn to real clients—coach effectively—and you’ll progress.
