What does it mean to be #functional?
There is no shortage of buzz words and trendy techniques in the fitness world.
We see them all the time and many of them carry little to no substance when you look into it.
The word ‘functional’ makes it the top of that list, but before we justifiably scoff at it, there might be something to this one.
In the purest form of the word, functional means designed to be practical and useful, rather than attractive.
Doesn’t sound too bad. In fact that might sound… useful.
And useful it has proven to be, particularly in fitness.
Functionality is not a modality of training,
Functionality is the MANNER in which we train any given modality.
It doesn’t discriminate between your weightlifting session, H.I.I.T. workout, and mobility W.O.D.- just about everything can be trained with functionality to some degree.
The concept of functional training is quite simple to understand: adapt and develop your muscles, joints, and limbs to make it easier and safer to perform everyday activities.
A delicate dance between mobility, proprioception, and strength & power
Mobility = muscle elasticity + active range of motion
Proprioception = coordination/balance + neuromuscular aptitude
Strength & power = energy potential + force production
Its not only good for building a hot girl summer body.
You can take the benefits with you during the cold winters too.
It can turn a get rich quick scheme into a highly profitable investment, metaphorically speaking- and you get to cash that check every day.
It is often not as glamorous or as “comfortable” as the standard gym routine and takes time to learn how to apply it properly.
But one thing it is, is effective- it’s basically written in the name.
So whether the goal is to build muscle, lose fat, or simply relieve stress, I encourage you to look into doing it functionally.
These ideas are based in experience as much as knowledge, not from a few measly articles I read online.
What role has functional training played in my life?
I can tell you I've gained better awareness of my body in space.
I can move with confidence, knowing I won’t pull a muscle when I reach for my shoes under my bed.
Even catching falling items quicker and with better precision, my phone being a relatable example (arguably, functional fitness has saved me THOUSANDS of dollars).
My body looks and feels more balanced than it ever has, even moreso than my stint as a full-time athlete.
And perhaps most importantly, it’s helped me understand that I can apply the same approach to other areas of my life.
Functionality transcends fitness and you can apply it beyond the physical realm- it’s a way of thinking and behaving.
The point is not to eat, breathe, and sleep functionality- it’s not a religion
Conventionality has its time and place too, no doubt.
But every now and then, it might be helpful to check in with your habits, fitness and otherwise, and ask yourself this:
What is this really doing for me, and what real value does it possess outside of its conventional medium?
The answer to that could change your life.
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