Functional Fitness – From the Gym to real life
Functional fitness isn’t about sculpting beach-ready bodies for the cover of a magazine. It’s about preparing your body for the demands of everyday life – whether you’re an elite athlete, a professional dancer, or navigating the challenges of a bustling routine. The core principle? Train your body to perform better in activities you encounter in your daily life.
Tailoring Functional Fitness to Your Goals
We are all at different levels of fitness and likewise, have goals with varying degrees of difficulty attached to them.
Functional fitness is an approach to train in a way that takes your specific sport and goals into consideration as opposed to just increasing general strength and fitness.
Let’s say you’re a pro athlete. Studies show that functional training enhances athletic performance by improving power, agility, and sport-specific movements. You’d need to focus on exercises like plyometrics, agility drills, and sport-specific movements to elevate your performance.
On the other hand, if you’re an aspiring dancer yogi, functional fitness can improve dance performance by enhancing flexibility, balance, and muscle endurance. Here you would incorporate balance exercises, dynamic stretches, and core strengthening to enhance fluidity and grace.
However, if you’re neither of those and more of an everyday warrior, functional fitness is about achieving better overall health, reducing the risk of injuries and enhancing daily activities. Here you would benefit from exercises like squats, lunges, and functional movements that mimic daily tasks, promoting strength and resilience.
A new way to look at fitness
If you’ve always struggled with the gym and staying committed to exercise, here are some new ways to think about fitness that will hopefully inspire you to keep going and revolutionize your fitness routine.
Rediscover the Joy of Movement
Trade the monotony for excitement! Imagine workouts that feel less like a chore and more like an adventure. Embrace dynamic, purposeful movements that make you feel alive – like bounding over obstacles, mastering a box jump, or conquering a challenging trail run. Having the freedom to move your body without fear or discomfort gives you a sense of joy second-to-none. Rediscover the joy of movement, and let each session become a celebration of your body’s capabilities.
Build a Resilient Body
Life’s challenges are inevitable, but your response to them is within your control. Picture a workout routine that serves as your training ground for resilience. Functional fitness isn’t just about lifting weights; it’s about lifting your spirit. Visualize conquering a challenging set of kettlebell swings, pushing through a tough circuit, or completing a demanding bodyweight exercise. Each rep becomes a metaphor for overcoming obstacles – building not just muscle but an indomitable spirit. See functional fitness as a way to overcome challenges, recover faster and tackle life’s curveballs with confidence.
Efficiency in Every Move
Say goodbye to wasted efforts and hello to purposeful moves that translate directly into real-life victories. Envision yourself effortlessly lifting grocery bags with a newfound strength from functional squats, gracefully navigating through a busy day with improved balance, or effortlessly tackling stairs with the leg power you’ve cultivated. Every exercise becomes a step towards mastering the movements that matter most in your daily life. When you train in a way that mimics the actions you need for everyday living, suddenly the value of a fitness routine goes up exponentially, as does your commitment to it.
Unleash your potential
Consider functional fitness as the unveiling of your own superpower. Envision yourself pushing the boundaries – mastering a challenging TRX exercise, achieving a new personal best in your deadlift, or confidently handling physical tasks that once seemed daunting. Your potential is limitless, and functional fitness is the key to unlocking the superhero within you. Embrace the journey, and watch as your strength becomes a superpower that transcends the gym.
How to start your functional fitness journey
If you’re ready to try this new approach to fitness, here are a few ways you might go about incorporating more functional fitness into your regular routine.
Assess Your Goals
Identify specific functional fitness goals that align with your lifestyle. Whether it’s improving overall mobility, enhancing athletic performance, or simply moving with more ease, clarity on your objectives will guide your journey.
Educate Yourself
Learn about fundamental functional movements and exercises. Understand how these movements contribute to daily functionality. Resources like online tutorials, fitness classes, or consultations with a fitness expert can provide valuable insights.
Integrate Gradually
Start by incorporating one or two functional exercises into your existing routine. As you become more comfortable, progressively expand the scope of functional movements. Gradual integration minimizes the risk of injury and allows your body to adapt.
Stay Consistent
Consistency is key. Aim for a balanced approach that includes a mix of cardiovascular, strength, and flexibility exercises. Consistent, incremental progress ensures sustainable results.
Listen to Your Body
Pay attention to how your body responds to functional movements. Adjust the intensity and volume based on your fitness level and any physical limitations. Listening to your body promotes a safe and enjoyable functional fitness experience.
Get a coach
Consider enlisting the expertise of a functional fitness coach. A coach can provide personalized guidance, design a tailored program, and ensure proper form and technique. Their knowledge and support can accelerate your progress and help you navigate the nuances of functional training.
The ultimate goal
At the end of the day, we all know that exercise is good for us and we are meant to live lives filled with movement. If you find the gym a snooze-fest and dread the thought of cardio, then changing your mindset and approaching fitness from this new perspective could be the key that unlocks a love of movement in you.
Feeling your body become stronger and fitter creates body confidence and this usually spills over into general confidence and a newfound zest for life.
When you feel good, you have more energy for creativity, exploration and curiosity. You’ll find yourself wanting to try new things and go on more adventures. A thrilling life is the unexpected bonus of living a more active life.
There is no one way to get more active, only the way that works for you and that’s usually something that’s fun, functional and improves all aspects of your life.
So here’s to a life redefined through functional fitness – where every move matters, and your strength becomes your superpower!
Mommy Makeover.
