Weekly Education July 7

Have you ever wondered why you can get through a killer workout at the gym but then throw out your back picking up the laundry basket?

The term “functional fitness” has become increasingly popular in the fitness world recently. With Crossfit and Boot Camp programs leading the charge in touting its importance, many are wondering if they should incorporate it into their workouts. The answer is a resounding - Yes!

What is functional fitness? Functional fitness is designed to enhance the body’s ability to handle everyday living by using movements that mimic those used in everyday tasks – think pulling, reaching, getting up, twisting, carrying etc.

How does it work? Functional fitness teaches the body to work together as a unit and not to isolate singular muscle groups which can put too much strain on one area. By adding dynamic movements like twisting, pulling, reaching etc, the body becomes more agile, strong, balanced and efficient in its movements.

The benefits? There are many benefits to functional fitness including weight loss, increase in lean muscle mass and improved flexibility. But one of the major advantages is that functional fitness can help drastically reduce risk of injury in our everyday lives which increases significantly as we age.

Examples of Functional Fitness Exercises
Burpees
Squat with medicine ball throw
Box jumps
Walking lunges with bicep curls
Moving push-ups