What is Functional Strength Training: What It Actually Means

What Is Functional Strength Training: What It Actually Means

Functional strength training has been the buzzword of fitness for a while now. What is that, you ask? Well, it is an exercise methodology wherein you train your muscles to move in a variety of ways and also get stronger for everyday tasks like lifting things, squatting or bending down. Sounds pretty standard so far? Well, it is not. Personal trainer is different from conventional strength training because the focus here is on using those same muscles for day-to-day activities. So that means no bench presses but lots of things like box lifts, crawling and other movements that simulate real life actions.

Why Is Functional Strength Important?

You might be wondering, why is functional strength training important? Well, it all depends on what your goals are, but most people do it to stay fit, reduce the risk of injury, gain strength and improve their performance. Functional strength training, unlike conventional weightlifting, is a full-body approach and is the best way to stay fit, healthy and injury free for the long term. It is also a great way to increase your metabolism, stay mentally alert and improve your performance at work! If you want to stay fit and healthy, lifting heavy weights is not the only way.

The Benefits Of Functional Strength Training

So, what are the benefits of functional strength training? Well, there are many and these include:

Reduced risk of injury – This is the main reason people do functional strength training. It is a great way to stay fit, maintain your health and reduce the risk of injury for sports or your day-to-day activities.

Improved metabolism – Did you know that determining your metabolic rate can help you lose weight? Well, it is true and one of the easiest ways to increase your metabolic rate is to do functional strength training.

Stronger core – Functional strength training is the best way to strengthen your core muscles. It is a great way to stay fit and develop a strong core.

Improved performance at work – This is one of the best advantages of functional strength training. If you want to excel at your job, you need to train your body. Functional strength training is the best way to stay fit and healthy, which in turn, helps you excel at your job.

Better posture – Having good posture is one of the best things you can do for your health. Functional strength training is the best way to get good posture.

How To Train For Functional Strength?

The best way to train for functional strength is the same way you would train for conventional strength. The only thing that changes is the methodology. You see, conventional strength training requires you to lift heavy weights to build muscle. On the other hand, Become a personal trainer requires you to lift lighter weights and focus on the number of repetitions. When training for functional strength, make sure that you are lifting lighter weights with good form. You can also use your own body weight to perform functional strength exercises. For example, you can do squats against the wall by placing your back against a wall and squatting down for 10 reps. You can also do push-ups on an exercise ball to strengthen your core.

Things You Need To Know Before Starting A Functional Strength Program

While functional strength training is great, it is important to know what you are getting into before starting a new program. Here are a few things that you need to know:

You need to be patient – Functional strength training works and is a great way to stay fit, but it takes time. You cannot expect to see changes in your body in a week or two. It takes months to see results; so be patient.

You need to know your goal – Before starting a functional strength program, you need to know what your goal is. Are you trying to stay fit, gain strength or improve your performance? Once you know your goal, you can plan your functional strength program accordingly.

You do not need to go to a gym – While going to a gym and lifting heavy weights is great, it is not the only way to train for functional strength. You can do functional strength exercises at home without any equipment.

The Mistakes That People Make When Doing Functional Strength Training

There are many mistakes that people make when doing functional strength training. Here are a few of them:

Not warming up – Before starting any exercise program, it is important that you warm up your body. This helps reduce the risk of injury and helps improve your performance. So before starting your functional strength training, make sure that you have warmed up your body.

Not focusing on the form – It is important that you do the functional strength exercises with good form. Focusing on your form helps you lift lighter weights, which in turn, helps you gain strength faster.

Trying to lift too heavy – While conventional strength training requires you to lift heavy weights, functional strength training requires you to lift lighter weights. It is important that you focus on your form and not how much weight you are lifting.

Conclusion

Functional strength training is different from conventional strength training because the focus here is on using those same muscles for day-to-day activities. So that means no bench presses but lots of things like bend and lifts, crawling and other movements that simulate real life actions. Personal gym trainer is the best way to improve your functionality round the clock.