Functional training exercises: Why is it important and how to get started?

Functional training has become extremely popular in recent years. It's no secret that a lot of people want to get into shape, but it can be difficult to know where to start.

If you're looking for an effective way to break free from the gym treadmill and start seeing real results in your life, then this article will help you find out what functional training is all about and how it can change your life forever.

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What is functional training?

Functional training is a type of exercise that uses movements that are functional, meaning they mimic the activities of daily living. These exercises are designed to work for multiple muscle groups at the same time and involve your entire body.

Helps in building upper-body strength. (Image via Unsplash / Roman Aguila)

Examples of functional exercises include squats, lunges, push-ups, and pull-ups. They're called "functional" because they help you build strength in areas like your core (the muscles around your trunk) or upper body muscles like the biceps.

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Why You Should Perform Functional Training Exercises?

Functional training exercises offer numerous benefits that make them worth incorporating into your fitness routine:

1) Improves Overall Fitness

Functional training exercises engage multiple muscle groups, making them a highly effective way to improve overall fitness. These exercises can help you build strength, endurance, and cardiovascular fitness all at the same time.

2) Enhances Performance

Since strength training exercises mimic everyday movements, they can help improve your performance in sports and other activities. For example, if you play basketball, these training exercises that mimic jumping, landing, and changing direction can help you become a better player.

Reduces the risk of injury. (Image via Unsplash / Frederik rosar)

3) Reduces Risk of Injury

Traditional strength training often focuses on isolating individual muscles, which can lead to muscle imbalances and an increased risk of injury. Functional training exercises, on the other hand, promote balanced muscle development and help improve joint stability, reducing the risk of injury.

4) Improves Balance and Coordination

Many strength training exercises require you to engage your core and use your body in ways that improve your balance and coordination. This can help you perform everyday activities more efficiently and reduce your risk of falls.

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How to Get Started

Getting started with functional training exercises is easy. Here are some tips to help you get started:

As a beginner start with basic movements. (Image via Unsplash / Ambitious Creative Co)

1. Find a Qualified Trainer: While functional training exercises can be performed on your own, it's always a good idea to work with a qualified trainer, especially if you're new to exercise. A trainer can help you learn proper form and technique, which is crucial for preventing injury and maximizing results.
2. Start with Basic Exercises: It's important to start with basic functional training exercises and gradually increase the difficulty as you progress. This will help you avoid injury, build a strong foundation and improve your performance.
3. Incorporate Multi-Joint Movements: Functional training exercises should involve multi-joint movements that simulate everyday movements. For example, squats, lunges, and deadlifts are all excellent functional training exercises that engage multiple muscle groups.
4. Use Bodyweight Exercises: You don't need fancy equipment to perform functional training exercises. Bodyweight exercises, such as push-ups, planks, and burpees, can be highly effective for improving overall fitness and reducing the risk of injury.
5. Add Variety: Incorporating a variety of functional training exercises into your routine can help keep things interesting and prevent boredom. You can also target different muscle groups and challenge your body in new ways.

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Improves your overall fitness level. (Image via Unsplash / Roman Aguila)

In conclusion, functional training exercises offer numerous benefits that make them worth incorporating into your fitness routine. By starting with basic exercises, working with a qualified trainer, and incorporating multi-joint movements and bodyweight exercises, you can improve your overall fitness, enhance your performance, and reduce your risk of injury.