Functional training is a type of exercise that focuses on movements and activities that mimic everyday tasks or specific sports movements. The goal of functional training is to improve overall physical fitness and performance by training the body to perform movements that are relevant to daily activities or sports.

Functional training exercises often involve multiple muscle groups and joints, and emphasize core stability and strength. They can include exercises such as squats, lunges, push-ups, and medicine ball throws. Functional training can also incorporate equipment such as resistance bands, kettlebells, and suspension trainers.

Functional training is particularly beneficial for athletes and individuals who want to improve their athletic performance or overall fitness. It can also be helpful for individuals who want to improve their balance, coordination, and flexibility, or who are recovering from an injury.

 When we perform daily tasks such as picking up a bag of groceries, ascending/descending stairs, grabbing an object from a high cabinet, sitting at our computer, or doing chores around the house they each compound movement patterns that usually involve the legs, core, and arms. Thus the purpose of functional training is to incorporate compound movements into your training program to assist with these daily movement patterns. For example, if you are lifting a 15lb bag of groceries you need to be able to combine gripping, walking, arm strength and core strength to get that bag from your car into the house. We typically do not think about all of the muscles involved with this but think about it. If you core did not work then the weight of the bag will tip you over to one side. If you do not have grip and upper arm strength you will not be able to carry the bag. If you have limited coordination, walking ability, or leg strength then how are you going to get the bag from the car into the house. The point here is that each of these different muscle systems work in conjunction with one another. If one is weak then then others will compromise and increase the risk for injury or strain. 

That is why at Functional Training and Rehab Physiotherapy we focus on compound movements that work balance, strength, coordination, and stability all at the same time. Sitting down at a machine in the gym and doing exercise is great, but if you want better result incorporate something that involves standing, balance, and arm and leg movements. Think about it. How much is your core and legs really working if you are sitting at a machine? While these are great supplemental ways to train to get more optimal results in a quicker manner try some functional training at FTR physiotherapy. See one of our physical therapists or trainers today.