When you exercise are you training for longevity? Functional Fitness is a type of training that trains your body for longevity, rather than breaking the body down and increasing your risk of injury.
As a fitness professional, I’m a HUGE fan of functional training and it’s what I specialize in as a trainer. I believe in training my clients for longevity, not just for the here and now. I want my clients to get results now, but also be able to get out of bed at 80 years old, work in their garden, play with their grandkids, go for walks, and hopefully continue to strength train at 90 years old. If this level of fitness is what we desire as we age, it begins with what we do now…in our 30s, 40s, and 50s. Let’s take a deeper dive and learn more about what Functional Fitness is.
What Is Functional Fitness?
“Functional fitness exercises train your muscles to work together and prepare them for daily tasks by simulating common movements you might do at home, at work, or in sports” – Mayo Clinic. “Functional training got its beginnings in the physical rehabilitation field and was created by physical therapists to improve patient recovery after injury or disability.” — Aaptiv
Common characteristics found in functional fitness training include:
- focus on whole-body movements, rather than isolated muscle exercises that we often see in the traditional physical fitness method
- utilizes both the upper and lower body at the same time while emphasizing core stability
- uses free weight or body-loaded exercises to ensure that you gain lean, functional muscle relative to your body size and weight
- consists of body movements in multiple directions – front and back, side to side, and rotational
Functional fitness focuses on training your whole body at once – multi-joint movements and using multiple muscle groups. This trains your body, and muscles, to work together to improve your ability to accomplish everyday tasks, such as:
- carrying in your groceries
- holding your children
- doing yard work – pulling weeds, pushing a lawnmower, etc.
- picking things up off the floor
Along with improving everyday activities, functional training can also help you improve your performance at the gym or in recreational activities, such as:
- biking
- hiking
- swimming
- tennis
- basketball
Functional fitness training can be performed both at home and in a gym. Some gyms provide group-guided functional fitness classes. Functional fitness can be integrated into HIIT (high-intensity interval training) and aerobic training methods.
Several different exercise equipment can be added to functional fitness exercises to increase the difficulty and diversify your workout. Exercises can include fitness balls, dumbbells, kettlebells, resistance bands, etc.
Is Functional Fitness for Everyone?
Yes! Functional fitness training programs and exercises are designed for every age and physical fitness level. Whether you are just starting your physical fitness journey or are a seasoned athlete, you can find benefits from functional fitness training.
If you are just starting to exercise it is recommended to start with just bodyweight exercises, so no resistance should be added to your workouts. Once you start to become more conditioned and build up strength you can add resistance or weight – dumbbells, kettlebells, resistance bands, etc.
If you have any health conditions or you are pregnant it is best to consult with your physician before starting any new physical fitness training.
What are the Benefits of Functional Fitness Training?
The main benefit of functional fitness training is an overall improvement in your quality of life and encouragement of longevity through physical health. Other detailed benefits of functional fitness training include:
Injury Prevention
The strength that you gain through the body movements included in functional fitness routines allows for the protection of your joints and ensures that your muscles are more resistant to injury.
Traditional workout methods often include isolating muscle exercises which can result in weakened areas around your body that are prone to injury. Functional fitness training focuses on whole-body movement, therefore filling in those gaps and preventing injuries.
Increased Strength and Mobility
Functional fitness exercises consist of movement patterns that require a full range of motion. Therefore, you are strengthening your full range of motion which promotes proper joint function.
The emphasis on core stability helps keep you and your spine stable, allowing you to transfer strength to your arms and legs.
Working out whole muscle groups and performing body movements that mimic everyday tasks promote building “real world” strength. Meaning you are building the strength you need to carry out everyday tasks.
Longevity
Longevity refers to living a long life. We are always looking for different ways we can live a long and healthy life – consuming antioxidants, anti-aging beauty products, etc.
Functional fitness training promotes longevity by improving your performance in everyday activities. This will allow you to perform these tasks – like mowing your lawn – more efficiently and safely as you age.
Strengthening every muscle group and promoting joint functionality will ensure your bones, muscles, and ligaments are protected from injury over time. So, less wear and tear on your joints and muscles as you age.
ADLs (activities of daily living) are key components in determining life expectancy. Whether or not you can complete the everyday tasks you need to live day to day is important to living a long and fulfilling life.
Other Benefits
Functional fitness training is composed of various workouts and workout equipment keeping you engaged in the workout and having fun.
Increased athletic performance – whether you play on an adult softball team or enjoy playing basketball with your kiddos.
This training method is sustainable! There are so many ways to increase the difficulty or decrease it if needed. You will continue to see progress throughout your functional fitness journey.
So… are you training your body for longevity? Are you consistently injured in your workouts? That usually means it’s a bit too much and you may in fact need more functional training in your life.
Where can you find functional fitness?
If you are local to Gunter, TX visit my boutique fitness studio, POISED FITNESS. We’d love to have you!
For online options, stay tuned! Functional fitness workouts designed by me will be available for purchase on the blog in early 2024!
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