Have you ever picked up something from the ground like a bag of dog food? Guess what?
You performed a deadlift. A functional movement.
Have you ever put an object on a shelf above your head? Guess what?
You performed a shoulder press. A functional movement.
Have you ever sat on a step?
You performed a squat. A functional movement.
In the simplest explanation, functional fitness is a method of using functional movements to train for everyday life. In our gym, we combine that with a level of intensity to ensure we are achieving results and maintaining health.
The end goal is to make your everyday life easier.
Of course, these are just a few examples, and with functional fitness, you'll be prepared for any physical task, known or unknown: carrying groceries, taking luggage up flights of stairs, moving furniture, opening jars, running, playing with your kids and enjoying life.
The list is endless.
Functional movements enable your body to naturally move better. Yes, certain movements require more specific muscle strengths than others to complete. Functional movements force core and posterior stability to ensure safety and effectiveness. That is why they are so natural but extremely potent and challenging.
Functional fitness is certainly not a new thing - it has been around forever! But no matter what we do in our daily lives, functional fitness can help us live a fuller, safer, and more efficient lifestyle.