Functional movement: Trend or legit?

There is a growing diversity of new fitness trends today. Things like virtual reality workouts and mobility training to socially connected activities like pickle-ball and working out with a friend, it can be hard to keep up. However, one approach to fitness that has proven to have long-ranging benefits, and continues to lead fitness trends, is functional movement. Building functional movement training into a workout routine applies to anyone and can help create positive, continued energy for your life outside the gym.

What is Functional Movement?

Functional movement training is centered around the most basic actions that humans have performed throughout history. It’s what helps make everyday activities easier.

Functional fitness movements mimic everyday activities, offering a greater variety of challenging the body in ways that traditional methods can’t replicate. Not sure where to begin? Here are some functional movement exercises you can try out at the gym. They’re going to get you movin’ and groovin’ in no time!

Bodyweight squat to overhead extension is a power-packed combo that hits your quads, hips, hamstrings, and abs all at once. This not only boosts explosiveness, muscular endurance, and cardiovascular fitness but also takes full advantage of those major muscle groups in your lower body.

Front lunge to torso rotation is a killer combo that’s going to fire up your quads, hips, hamstrings, abs, and obliques all in one go! This exercise is like a superhero team-up for your muscles, getting them, all engaged and working together in perfect harmony.

Plyometric skaters will give your heart a run for its money while also focusing on those quads, glutes, calves, and hips. It’s a full-body blast that will push your limits and leave you feeling stronger than ever. Not only will this exercise supercharge your cardiovascular endurance, but it’ll also build up those muscles under tension, giving you the strength, you need.

Low to high woodchoppers with a single dumbbell is a killer move that will focus on your shoulders, quads, hips, hamstrings and abs. This exercise takes your core engagement to a whole new level. You’ll be targeting that entire abdominal chain and getting those rotational muscles fired up.

Versatile & Accessible

The popularity of functional fitness stems from its adaptability and convenience, catering to individuals of all fitness levels. Incorporating functional accessories like medicine balls, kettlebells, Y-bells, resistance bands, stability balls and Bosu balls can effectively target every muscle group and improve stamina without the need for bulky and expensive equipment.

Powerful Health Benefits

One distinguishing aspect of functional training is its ability to improve blood circulation and oxygen delivery to muscles. It can also reduce inflammation throughout the body, and improve joint range of motion. Functional movement allows people to progress at their own pace and focus on form and technique during compound movements commonly found in fitness routines. Compound movements can also boost overall calories burned because they engage multiple muscles at the same time.

Functional fitness workouts train your body as a single unit, so by default they engage the core. These movements can also boost balance and stability, which can make you less susceptible to injuries. This shift toward dynamic fitness methods reflect the evolving needs of gym-goers, incorporating digital workouts, like on the PF App, trackable metrics, wearables, and gamification to create an enjoyable overall fitness experience.

Enhancing Daily Activities

Functional fitness goes beyond its physical benefits by enhancing the body’s ability to participate in activities outside the gym in a safe and enjoyable way. As a dad, I am always looking for ways to keep the energy going so I can play football with my son or perform my best version of cartwheels with my youngest daughter! Preparing my body to move in a dynamic way through functional movement enables me to not only keep up with them, but to ensure that I can do it safely.

While trends come and go within the fitness industry, functional movement training has shown remarkable staying power. Its versatility, convenience, and ability to cater to various fitness levels has made it a staple for many fitness enthusiasts.

Feature image by Tima Miroshnichenko