Functional training is an increasingly popular ways for people to improve their daily movements and make their lives easier. Taking targeted exercises into account, functional training can allow you to move more comfortably and efficiently in everyday life. From improving posture to helping reduce the risk of injury, this type of exercise has the potential to help you in more ways than one. In this article, we’ll explore how functional training can help you move better on a daily basis.
1. What is Functional Training?
Functional training is a broad term referring to specialized exercises designed to prepare the body for common movements and everyday activities. It prioritizes exercises that mimic everyday movements –– like squatting, pushing, pulling, twisting, and lifting –– so you’re better prepared for the everyday tasks that require them.
At its core, functional training emphasizes form over weight. Instead of lifting heavier and heavier weights, it encourages using lighter weights and focusing on form. This type of training focuses on proper movement, endurance, and accuracy in everyday activities, making it a great option for people from all walks of life.
Unlike traditional weightlifting, functional training requires your body to use multiple muscles at once. This helps your body to become more agile with movements and able to perform multiple forms of exercise.
- It offers proper exercise form and technique to avoid injuries
- It utilizes challenge and resistance for better performance
- It targets muscles around the body instead of concentrating on one
- It builds a leaner, stronger, and more resilient body
Functional training also builds balance, power, and muscular efficiency. By focusing on specific movements, it improves coordination and agility. Plus, it optimizes athletes’ speed, power, and accuracy, which are essential for crushing their goals.
2. The Benefits of Functional Training
Functional training is one of the most beneficial ways to work out. Not only is it incredibly effective for improving physical health and performance, but it also offers many other advantages. Here are just a few ways why you should consider incorporating functional training into your fitness routine.
- Total body workout in less time: Unlike other forms of exercise, functional training simultaneously targets multiple areas of the body. This allows you to build strength, improve coordination, and increase flexibility in just one workout session.
- Greater metabolic efficiency: Functional movements equate to using the entire body during a routine. This leads to a high metabolic rate which produces better overall results and promotes fat-burning.
- Sports-specific conditioning: Although functional training movements are basic and primitive in nature, they imitate activities found in everyday life and specific sports. By training in this manner, you can increase your effectiveness and performance in the specific sport or activity that you compete in.
- Decreased risk of injury: By training with bodyweight, resistance bands, and balance boards, you can increase core strength and stability. This will better brace your body, meaning it will be able to handle greater physical intensity. And, as a result, reduce the risk of injury.
Functional training may seem intimidating at first, but these workouts can be incredibly rewarding. With an effective program and commitment to your routine, you’ll be reaping the benefits of this type of training in no time.
3. How to Get Started With Functional Training
Functional Training, as its name suggests, puts the focus on exercises which develop the ‘functional’ abilities of the body—those that optimize performance in activities such as sports, recreation or everyday life needs. But how do you get started with this type of exercise?
- Start with understanding the fundamentals: understand what functional training is and identify the best exercises for the desired results.
- Set goals: setting measurable goals will help you assess your progress and stay motivated along the way.
- Get a qualified trainer: DO NOT try this on your own. Get a qualified trainer to design an appropriate program for you.
- Make a plan: identify the finest time for your workouts on a weekly basis. Aim for consistency rather than irregular intense sessions to get the most benefit.
Now that you have established the basics, it is time to put the individual exercises into practice. Start easy and increase the intensity gradually. Listen to your body and ensure you get plenty of rest. This is an effective way to get started with functional training and experience the physical and psychological benefits.
4. Targeted Exercises for Improved Daily Movements
The value of regular exercise is undeniable. Not only is it necessary for good fitness and health, but it can also help improve functionality in everyday life. Targeted exercises can help to give your daily routine an extra boost. If you want to better your morning routine, increase your capabilities during sports, or improve your posture or balance, here are a few exercises that you should consider adding to your routine.
Dynamic Stretching
- Cat and Cow Pose
- Illiopsoas Release
- Hip Flexor Stretch
- Roller Wheel Towel Stretch
Dynamic stretching encourages improved levels of mobility and increased range of motion. The above exercises are gentle, yet effective, and can make an enormous difference to your flexibility and posture.
Core Stability
- Yoga Plank Pose
- Mountain Climbers
- Side Plank Pose
- Lying Leg Raises
Strengthening your core is important for improving posture and overall body mechanics when you’re performing daily activities. While a strong core is beneficial for everybody, it holds particular importance for those who are involved in sports or fitness.
5. Make Functional Training Part of Your Everyday Routine
Functional training is a great way to stay healthy and fit. It’s a form of active movement that works the whole body, working not only muscles but also joints, ligaments, and tendons. It has become increasingly popular, and here are five ways to make it part of your everyday routine.
- Start small: It’s important to build up your functional training gradually. Don’t try to do too much too soon. Pick one or two exercises that you can use as a starting point and then gradually add more as your strength and fitness increases.
- Make time: The key to making functional training part of your routine is to set aside some time to do it. Whether it’s 10 minutes twice a day or a longer block at the end of the week, make sure you set aside the time to do it.
- Join a class: A class can help to motivate and support you, and provide an accountability system. Look for classes in your local area, or if you can’t find a class that suits you, try an online class.
- Mix it up: Doing the same exercises over and over again can be boring and lead to lack of motivation. Switch things up by doing different activities or changing up the order of the exercises. This will help keep things interesting and engaging.
- Get creative: Functional training doesn’t have to involve a gym. There are many ways to do functional movements using everyday objects. You can use a chair, wall, towel, or even a pillow to add some variety to your routine.
By making these changes to your routine, you’ll find it easier to stay active and healthy in both body and mind. Give it a try and soon you’ll be feeling the benefits of functional training.
By focusing on specific functional movements, you can improve your daily movements and give your lifestyle a major boost in terms of health and wellbeing. Make functional training part of your lifestyle and start to notice the positive effects immediately!
