May is Physical Activity Month and we're highlighting important aspects of healthy lifestyles and being physically active. In this post, we'll be focusing on Functional Training.
Walking, jogging, running, sprinting, pushing, pulling, bending, twisting, and lunging are just a few movements people engage in on a daily basis. These activities involve rhythmic motions in three planes: sagittal, frontal and transverse. Functional fitness, as described by Cedric X. Bryant, Ph.D. FACSM, Chief Science Officer with the American Council on Exercise, is a style of training that helps to improve every day movements.
Functional training can increase muscular force-production and can help enhance the relationship between the nervous and muscular systems. Functional training involves performing exercises that simulate movements and activities of daily living with the primary goal of improving balance and coordination. Building a functional training program should involve open kinetic-chain movements such as:
- Push-ups
- Inverted rows
- Pull-ups
- Squats
- Planks
- Lunges
Keep in mind, functional training should not replace traditional strength training but should be incorporated into a balanced fitness program. If you need help designing a functional training program or want to learn more about corporate wellness coaching, employee wellness ideas, or corporate fitness programming, contact us. We'll be happy to help you get strarted!