Unlike traditional strength training, which focuses on just one muscle group, functional fitness exercises emphasize the coordination between your muscles to create a more holistic workout.
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This helps you avoid injuries when performing everyday tasks like bending over to pick up an object or climbing stairs, says Jeff Hoobler, a strength & movement specialist at Wahoo Sports Science. It also makes you more aware of your body’s movement patterns, which improves the way you perform these activities outside of the gym.
Functional Strong and Fit exercises mimic everyday movements to build endurance, stability and power.
They can be incorporated into HIIT or performed as working sets and reps to mimic more traditional hypertrophy or strength training sessions.
Strengthens multiple muscle groups at the same time
The most common difference between traditional and functional fitness is the use of free weights or your own bodyweight as resistance. In traditional strength training, machines isolate specific muscle groups, while functional training utilizes your own body’s resistance to build both strength and core stability.
Increases flexibility and mobility
The benefits of increased mobility can be hard to quantify, but it is considered to rank along with strength as a key element of being fit. It increases your range of motion and allows you to move more freely through your joints’ full range of motion.
It helps you become more flexible, which is something that’s important in every aspect of life. It can help reduce back pain, knee pain and joint pain by allowing your body to move in its natural state without putting stress on joints or muscles.