By: Mount Carmel Fitness Center Staff
Functional training is designed to help you strengthen the muscles needed to perform everyday tasks. Many exercises in the fitness center mimic movements you do all the time, from sitting, squatting, pushing and pulling. There are many benefits to functional fitness, including:
• Increases strength: Functional training is shown to greatly improve your overall muscular strength and power. As you practice exercises that mirror your daily movements, you’ll strengthen the necessary muscles to continue performing these movements.
• Improves coordination: These movements can help your overall balance, which can aid in coordination, stability and strength.
• Prevents injury: These compound movements have been shown to help prevent injury in adults as they age. By continuing to strengthen your muscles, you can help prevent falls or other dangerous accidents.
Squat: This move is essential in any functional exercise routine. As we sit down, bend to reach for things and pick things up, a squat movement is used. Strengthening the muscles used has lasting benefits for continuing this movement as you age. Using a kettlebell or just your body weight in this exercise will help keep these muscles strong.
Step-up: Ensure you will be able to climb stairs or heavy elevations by strengthening your leg muscles. Using a bench or step that is at a comfortable height, step up one foot at a time and then back down, alternating feet.
Chest Press: An alternative to push-ups, the chest press mirrors the movements you use to push yourself up if you find yourself on the ground. Use an appropriate weight for this exercise to avoid any injury or discomfort.
Row: This exercise will strengthen the muscles needed to pick up or carry heavy objects. There are a variety of ways to perform this exercise, from dumbbell rows to resistance bands and more.
Looking for guidance with any of these exercises? Reach out to any of our certified fitness specialists. We are eager to help you achieve your goals.
REFERENCE: https://www.livescience.com/what-is-functional-training
https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness/functional-fitness-adults
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