What is functional training?

What is functional training?

Functional training (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) is a classification of exercise which involves training the body for the activities performed in daily life.

Benefits:
-May lead to better muscular balance and joint stability
-Possibly decreasing the number of injuries sustained in an individual's performance in a sport
-The benefits may arise from the use of training that emphasizes the body's natural ability to move in six degrees of freedom
-Machines may appear to be safer to use, they restrict movements to a single plane of motion, which is an unnatural form of movement for the body and may potentially lead to faulty movement patterns or injury

Equipment that can be used for functional
Dumbbells
Cable machines
Medicine balls
Kettlebells (with assistance of a Certified Personal Trainer)
Bodyweight training with Physioballs (also called Swiss balls or exercise balls)
Resistance tubes
Rocker and wobble boards
Balance disks
Suspension systems such as TRX

There are components of a functional exercise program. To be effective a functional exercise program should include a number of different elements: -Specific to the sport -Integrated – It should include a variety of exercises that work on flexibility, core, balance, strength and power. -Core stability it is crucial for any sport or activity. A stable core allows for more efficient transference of power from the lower to upper body, and an increased ability to maintain correct athletic posture over long periods of time. -Progressive – Progressive training steadily increases the strength demand from workout to workout. While most people are aware of the need for this in relation to traditional strength training, it is sometimes overlooked in functional training. -Varying speed of movement to make it more sport specific. -Periodized – Functional training for the normal gym goer or competitive athletes needs to fit into their cycle of competition. In broad terms this means that they will vary their program throughout the year to achieve optimal results, peaking for competitions or races and building in recovery time also. -Individualized – A program needs to be designed for them.

The only way to do this is to work with a coach or trainer who specializes in the particular sport and can custom design a program.

A qualified personal trainer can easily include functional training in their clients' exercise programs, whether they are just starting, recovering from an injury or preparing for competition. For help with your own functional training plan please let me know!