Introduction to functional fitness

As many of you know, we have completed our new functional training zone in the gym area. We anticipate that some members may be intimidated by our new fitness area and not fully understand the concepts of functional training. Therefore, for your convenience, our fitness staff are conducting functional training introduction sessions throughout the next few weeks. These orientations will include showing you our top five functional workouts anyone can do, regardless of age or fitness level.

Functional training is a term used to describe exercises that mimic movement patterns of numerous activities. The purpose is to strengthen your abilities to perform those bodily movements so that it carries over into your daily activities, athletic hobbies, and sports performance.

There are a variety of benefits of functional training such as improving your balance and coordination, strengthening your joints and muscles, helping you to stabilise your body while moving or when you need to overcome external resistance, and to assist in improving your athletic ability.

Functional training is a method of training multiple joints and muscles in a variety of planes of motion rather than focusing on just one muscle or joint movement. This means much of your exercises will be in standing positions or in positions of movement – not standing still and moving one joint.

Exercises can consist of pushing a sled called a prowler or pulling a flatbed sled. This will help you to generate more power in a variety of activities. Box jumps and box step ups will strengthen your lower body and improve your jumping abilities in numerous sports. Battle ropes are used to challenge your whole body while the waves of the ropes challenge your stability. These are just a few of the many exercises you can incorporate into you current programme or an entirely new programme specific to your goals.

Please contact our gym reception about signing up for your free orientation to the functional training zone and get moving strong!