| THE REAL BENEFITS OF FUNCTIONAL TRAINING | | | | Machines are pre-set using only the muscle and |
| We hear a lot about functional and core training | | | | angle that the machine allows. Multi-plane exercises |
| but is it just another passing "fitness fad" or | | | | are more complex movements and more closely |
| should all of us be incorporating this concept into | | | | mimic movements that are used in everyday life. |
| our exercise routines? | | | | The easy way to begin to add functional |
| Having been in the fitness industry for more than | | | | movements to your training is to simply write |
| 14 years I am convinced that the addition of | | | | down what you do every day. What are your |
| functional movements into your current exercise | | | | physical challenges? If you're a secretary you |
| routine will be one of the most important changes | | | | may find that your legs and back ache at the end |
| you could make for better overall fitness and | | | | of the day from picking files from the floor. |
| good health. | | | | These would be your first areas to target. Don't |
| Traditional "weightlifting" exercises generally target | | | | think of fitness as something that is done only in |
| only one muscle for each exercise. Functional | | | | a gym. By simply taking advantage of your every |
| training exercise generally targets more than one | | | | day movements you can turn your office or |
| body part with each movement or exercise. | | | | home into an effective functional training area! |
| Functional training emerged primarily from the | | | | For more formal exercise, stability balls, resistance |
| sports conditioning and rehabilitation world. | | | | bands with handles or simply beginning to do |
| Functional training refers to the type of exercises | | | | some of your training on an unstable surface will |
| that contribute to better, more efficient and safer | | | | be a good introduction to more functional training. |
| performance of real world activities or sports | | | | Remember, it's always safety first, so make sure |
| movements. | | | | you consult with your physician before starting |
| The short list of functional training benefits are: | | | | any physical program and ask a certified personal |
| *Building "inner strength" | | | | trainer to help you get started if you're unfamiliar |
| *Endurance | | | | with any new piece of equipment or training |
| *Improve balance | | | | method. |
| *Improve range of motion | | | | I invite you to apply just some of the principles of |
| Functional training allows you to work your | | | | functional strength training to see where it takes |
| muscles on different planes (hitting different | | | | you. I'm convinced that by adding functional |
| angles) and building strength in those "stabilizer" | | | | training to your current conditioning program you |
| muscles as well as the main target muscle. | | | | will begin to see tremendous results. |