Which of the following lists correctly identifies the six primary movement patterns?

• A. Squat; Deadlift; Vertical Push; Vertical Pull; Horizontal Push; Horizontal Pull
• B. Squat; Lunge; Vertical Push; Horizontal Push; Shoulder Press
• C. Deadlift; Clean; Hip Hinge; Row
• D. Squat; Bridge; Vertical Pull; Horizontal Pull

Answer: (A)

Recognizing six fundamental movement patterns used in most training programs is the focus here. Those six are squat, hip hinge (deadlift), vertical push, vertical pull, horizontal push, and horizontal pull. A list that includes exactly these six categories is the best choice because it covers both lower-body and upper-body movements in pushes and pulls across vertical and horizontal directions.

The correct option lists squat and deadlift (hip hinge) as the two lower-body patterns, plus one vertical push, one vertical pull, one horizontal push, and one horizontal pull—giving a balanced framework that accounts for all major movement directions and joints.

The other options don’t fit all six. One substitutes a lunge for a primary hip-hinge and omits some pulling directions, leaving gaps in the pattern set. Another includes hip hinge and a row but misses several categories, so it isn’t complete. A different list uses a bridge as a primary pattern and omits vertical and horizontal pushes, again failing to capture all six movements.