Have you ever squatted down to pick up a pencil, picked up a heavy bag of groceries or helped your friend carry that oversized recliner up three flights of stairs? If you have, then you know that strength and functional fitness is essential for everyday life.
What are the 6 types of strength training?
Basically, functional training mimics real-world movements and increases holistic strength throughout your body that you use when doing things like squatting, climbing stairs or lifting up kids. It helps you move more efficiently and less injury-prone, as opposed to bodybuilding-style strength training that focuses on one muscle group.
Functional workouts also develop core strength and stability, which will help you perform everyday tasks safely and effectively. Source : strongandfit.com
It’s also important to note that while many functional movements are based on the sagittal (forward and backward) and transverse (rotation) planes, this doesn’t mean that they can’t be performed from different angles or in more modes of intensity. That’s why elite athletes often incorporate functional moves in their training, too.
You can easily add functional training into your workouts by including exercises that mirror the movements of real-life activities, such as squats, lunges and push-ups. And if you’re trying to build some serious muscle, add weights to these exercises.