What is Functional Training, and Why is it Important?

What is Functional Training? 

Functional  training is performing exercises or movements that help you perform everyday activities such as carrying groceries, getting out of bed, and even playing basketball with your kids.  Functional fitness exercises are designed to train and develop your muscles to make it simpler and safer to perform. These exercises typically use the whole body, emphasizing multiple muscles, core strength and stability.

Why is it Important?

Functional fitness training is important because it helps reduce the risk of injury or pain through strength exercises that  mirror the movements of your daily life.   Functional training strengthens the necessary muscles and joints that are used for real-life activities and  teaches  how  to move properly. Moving improperly is one of the main causes of pain from everyday activities.

Functional training utilizes body weight exercises as well as free weights and resistance bands.  The exercise machines found at most gyms are not meant for functional training as they are intended to isolate a muscle, not multi- muscle groups.  Isolating the muscle is great for beginners as well as for rehabilitating an injury.

Adding more  functional exercises to your workout should improve your ability to perform your everyday activities and improve your quality of life. This is truly a great return on your health and fitness investment.