What is functional movement?

What is functional movement?

Functional mobility or functional fitness training simulates activities of daily living (ADLs), whether at work, at play, or doing chores at home. Generally multiple joints and body segments are being used simultaneously (upper body with lower body) which requires good core stability to connect the movement.  These real-life movements may mimic chopping wood, lifting a box up to a shelf, vacuuming, or golfing.  By including such movements in our workouts, we prepare our muscles to move in a coordinated fashion and perform well in a variety of situations.

Why use Functional Fitness training VS conventional strength training?

When we strength train using conventional plate-loaded machines, trained muscles are isolated with the rest of the body held quiet and rested against the supportive seat or back.  This unrealistic stillness of the body with the machine’s back support does not translate well to activities in normal life, particularly because the core (abdominal and back extensor muscles) is not active.

Functional exercises are usually multi-joint, multi-muscle exercises. When properly conducted, this type of training can make everyday tasks easier, reduce risk of injury or re-injury, and improve overall quality of life. Because I work most often with people who have become more and more sedentary over time, not only have they lost lost muscle strength due to their stationary habits, but they have lost some efficiency in how their nervous system recruits essential muscle groups involved in the chain of whole-body movements. Restoring functional mobility and strength while re-engaging the nervous system to perform whole-body movements, with mindful awareness and good mechanics with is a great way to avoid injury as you get back into more activity.

Many tools are available to use at the gym or at home to assist with functional training including: wobble boards, Bosu, TRX, thera-bands, kettlebells. Once graduating from total couch potato into activity, selecting safe and well-trained coaches for boot-camps and CrossFit can also be a great pathway to upping your functional fitness….

Interested in learning more?   

* For "sitters" who want to safely re-gain mobility, erase the aches, watch for a new Fall 2024 Course:

Become your Own Bodymechanic 101: Office Workers' Survival Guide