What is functional fitness? Functional fitness is a way of exercising that mimics real life movements, in addition to offering numerous benefits for daily life by enhancing strength, coordination and stability. These movements improve balance, flexibility and endurance, making everyday activities easier and safe.
Functional training helps with activities like lifting the kids in and out of the car, walking the dog, getting up from the floor, carrying heavy objects like groceries in the house and doing your daily chores. By targeting movements we do every day, these exercises provide a practical and useful style of fitness that is a match to everyone.
We all need ease of movement, no matter our age or fitness level. Although free weights are beneficial as part of your routine, functional fitness doesn’t necessarily require equipment to train your body for improved strength, agility and stability. This equipment-free approach allows you to train almost anywhere, especially in the convenience of your home.
You’ll soon build confidence in your movement, daily tasks and let go of worrying about possible injuries. It’s important to remember that exercising with a functional purpose is more about how you physically feel, living a longer, healthier life and less about the vanity of it.
The risk of injury with functional training is significantly lower than other forms of exercises, making it suitable for those of lower fitness levels, fitness goals and ages. This training uses multiple joints and encourages movements across various planes of motion, such as forward and backward, from side to side and rotationally.
A great example of functional training is squats. This lowering down movement incorporates a range of muscles and joints in your knees, hips and legs, with the added benefit of strengthening your bones, tendons and ligaments.
Other great examples include: Lunges, Push Ups, Jumping Jacks, Planks, Mountain Climbers, Single Leg Lunges, Step Ups and Walkouts.
Doesn’t matter the level you are at, functional fitness can begin at pretty much any level. Starting at your current pace and working your way up without trying to rush the process, is essential for functional training. If you are a beginner, you could start with just using your body weight for resistance and add more weight if you choose as you grow stronger and more confident.
Signing up for a yoga, pilates or other exercise class is a great way to learn more and discover the exercises that best fit your lifestyle and enjoyment. If you are someone who is struggling physically in areas of your day-to-day life, taking on a functional fitness weekly routine may be your answer to this problem.
Ashley LaMorte is a nationally certified fitness instructor and has been in the fitness industry close to a decade. Over the years, she has gotten the opportunity to instruct group X boot camps at gyms and train private clients from all walks of life, all over the Bay Area. She now has her own mobile fitness business LaMorte Lift. Learn more at LaMorteLift.com.
