Monthly Spotlight:
Shoulder & Rotator Cuff Health
You want to lift heavy, stay active, and push your performance—without worrying that a pinching shoulder is going to sideline you.
When shoulder pain strikes, most lifters panic and assume they need an MRI. But static scans often create more fear than clarity. Having a reliable baseline of your movement and strength gives far better guidance to keep you active.
20-Minute Objective VALD Screen
Only $45
($30 FitU Member)
Location: Equip PT inside FitU
11500 Market St North Lima, OH
Attire: Form-fitting athletic wear that allows comfortable overhead movement. Please avoid loose, baggy clothing.
Pricing: $30 for FitU Members / $45 for Guests or Non-Members (Collected at time of service via Card, Venmo, or Cash)
Book your 20-minute VALD Shoulder Analysis.
Measure your exact force capacity and side-to-side strength symmetry.
Train with precision to fix hidden gaps and protect your joint longevity.
Public Rate: $45
FitU Client Perk: $30
¹ Ibounig, T., et al. (2026). Incidental Rotator Cuff Abnormalities on Magnetic Resonance Imaging. JAMA Internal Medicine, 186(3).
² Kuhn, J. E., et al. / MOON Shoulder Group (2024). The Predictors of Surgery for Symptomatic, Atraumatic Full-Thickness Rotator Cuff Tears Change Over Time: Ten-Year Outcomes of the MOON Shoulder Prospective Cohort. The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery, 106(17), 1563–1572.
Find where you are today, so that you can better
prepare for tomorrow.
WHAT WE MEASURE:
In 20 minutes, we map your rotator cuff capacity and scapular stability using digital VALD force and motion technology.
Shoulder Elevation (HumanTrak): Evaluates true overhead reach and catches early compensation patterns before you load heavy.
Total Arc of Motion (HumanTrak): Measures your total rotational range (ER + IR) to verify side-to-side symmetry within a safe 5° window.
ER:IR Strength Ratio (DynaMo Plus): Identifies force imbalances between external and internal rotators. Ratios below 0.60 strongly correlate with shoulder pain under load.
Lower Trap Strength (DynaMo Plus): Assesses lower trapezius capacity to ensure your shoulder blade provides a stable anchor for the cuff to generate force.
The Science Behind It:
The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles that surrounds and stabilizes the shoulder joint. A common source of anxiety for fear of tears and surgery, a recent JAMA study (Ibounig, et al) highlights the fact that abnormal MRI findings may just be... well, normal after all.
99% of study subjects (age 40+) had some kind of rotator cuff abnormality on their MRI. 78% of the full-thickness tears found were in pain-free shoulders.¹
So, in other words: an MRI cannot meaningfully distinguish a painful shoulder from a pain-free one.
Research actually tells us that shoulder strength and loss of function are better indicators of need for surgery than pain.²
The good news?
A structured rehab and training plan can lead to up to 80% likelihood of avoiding surgery.²
The tests within this battery are the most reliable ways to assess your shoulder and rotator cuff health - ways in which simple visual checks and weights can't show.
Your 3-Step Plan to Stop Guessing:
SEPTEMBER SPECIAL:
VALD Shoulder Force & Motion Testing