Functional training for all
What is functional training?
Functional strength/core training is a cutting edge method of training that can be practised anywhere (i.e., parks, beaches, open fields, etc.) without the need of expensive gym machines or equipment (i.e., wooden sticks, med balls, Swiss balls, hurdles, body bars, free weights and so forth). Functional means doing seven basic key primal /survival pattern exercises or movements (i.e., squats, lunges, pushing, pulling, bending, and lifting) as well as working in all planes of movement. Functional training incorporates a full spectrum of training designed to enhance both health and sports performance. This is why anyone can benefit from this training approach, from the deconditioned client to the semi-professional and professional sports athlete.
To protect yourself from disease you have to have a long term commitment to cardiovascular fitness. However, in addition to your aerobic fitness, it is recommended to incorporate muscular endurance, muscular strength, muscular power as well as flexibility/core exercises into your weekly routines. Irrespective of your exercise choice, you will gain significant overall health benefits just by moving and doing some form of exercise. Strength training has many health/fitness benefits for everyone; but in particular for men and women in their 40s as it prevents sarcopenia or age related loss of muscle. According to empirical research, both your lean body mass and body fat percentage ratio determine the rate at which you burn calories throughout the day. Therefore, the more muscles that you have and the higher your metabolism, the more calories you will burn at rest.
One interesting aspect about functional training is that is has ecological validity to everyday life situations (i.e., improving your gait/posture). A second interesting aspect is that it encourages the body to activate both your inner/outer units which in turn will strengthen your overall core/abs. Another interesting characteristic is that functional training is a complete form of training that can be practised anywhere just by using minimal equipment (i.e., med balls, free weights, bars, boards, hurdles, free weight, etc.) which guarantees 100% results.
If you are an athlete then you know that strength, speed, agility are essential in competition, and athletic power being the main component sought after. As you may know, to gain athletic power you need to be able to produce optimal amount of force in the least amount of time, and through the greatest distance. But, in order for you to be at your best, you need to be 'functional' in every single aspect of your sport in question. Because successful performance can only be achieved when you can apply force from a strong postural position, balanced across your core and stabilized by the joints that cross the torso, at speeds and directions that are optimal for successful performance. Functional training uses techniques that coordinate the use of your entire body; this is well known across sports. Therefore, functional training will improve your core, posture, balance, joint stability, and joint mobility which are the building blocks of functional movement, hence enhancing sports performance. Research has shown that functional training can be challenging yet beneficial not only for professional athletes but also for individuals experiencing physical limitations and for those recovering from injury.
We can provide functional strength/core training programs and workouts to a wide range of semi-professional athlete clients including basketball, baseball, football, tennis, cycling, swimming, biking, running, horse riding, special marathon event preparation, gymnastics, rugby and martial arts.
