Functional fitness promotes better functioning of your body during day-to-day activities. In functional fitness, one trains the body to handle basic tasks targeting every body part while incorporating all muscles.
Some everyday functional fitness activities include lifting a heavy object on the table, walking upstairs, and picking something from the floor. All these physical activities are what functional fitness mimics to improve the entire body coordination.
This article explores the benefits of functional fitness and how it impacts your life. We also look at some of the workout routines that promote strength and mobility, incorporating adjustable dumbbells into your training.
Benefits of functional fitness
Functional fitness does not require complex equipment to get results. Although the exercises may be low intensity, it has many noticeable benefits, as discussed below.
Promotes better body balance
Functional fitness improves the entire joint movement by mimicking real-life situations like squats, pushing, pulling, and bending. Mostly, individuals who complete the exercise usually achieve a coordinated body.
Injury prevention
Functional fitness balances the body and improves coordination. When the body is balanced with major muscles conditioned for strength, the chances of getting injuries are minimal. For example, the moment you achieve a strong core, you’ll have better spine support, which prevents spine injuries.
Functional fitness ensures you move efficiently and safely, eliminating chances of strain or accidents that can cause injuries.
Promotes performance of daily functions
Functional fitness aims to make your daily activities more enjoyable and easy. Movements like bending, lifting, walking, and carrying can be easily incorporated into your exercise, which makes them easy to perform in real life.
As age catches up, activities like carrying your grandchild or groceries become manageable. In the end, you lead a quality life as you maintain independence.
Managing your weight
Functional fitness is a better way to work on your weight without visiting the gym. By taking part in high-intensity exercises, you increase the chances of burning calories and improving your metabolism.
Additionally, these workouts promote the building of lean muscle mass that increases the resting metabolic rate, maintaining your healthy weight. Furthermore, functional fitness regulates your appetite, controlling your overall food intake.
Examples of functional fitness activities
Bodyweight squat
Squats come in different versions. As you do the squats, you improve the quadriceps, promoting the straightness of your legs. While doing the squats, the gluteus maximus comes into play, pushing your hips forward. The lower you squat, the glutenous comes into play more. If you squat below 90 degrees, you’ll build your butt muscles more.
The 90s Transition
The 90s Transition is a joint-affiliated exercise that improves your ankle, legs, and hips. While performing the activity, you secondarily warm up your oblique abdominals. The training is best suited for warm-up sessions. If you experience issues with hip rotation, this exercise is for you.
Jump squat
The jump squat is a squat variant that targets the quadriceps and glutes. With this activity, you jump explosively as you build power and stimulate your nervous system without putting a lot of stress on muscles. This type of activity is ideal during warm-ups or on the days you feel worn out and just need to rejuvenate.
Prone swimmer
Prone swimmer targets your arms and shoulder movement. During the exercise, you move your shoulders and arms through a full range of motion. Your writs also make movements. This type of exercise is suitable for individuals with issues reaching their arms at the back.
Inchworm
When you combine resistance and mobility exercises, you get the Inchworm. The practice tests how strong your upper body is and how it can endure. It also checks how flexible your lower body is, including your back and hamstring. The exercise is simple since it requires you to get in a push-up position and walk your legs towards your hands.
Palm plank
The palm plank is an exercise that requires your arms in a push-up position. With the position, your arms get a lot of engagement. Based on how strong your muscles are, you’ll find the exercises simple or extremely tough.
Conclusion
Functional fitness activities are easy and fun to undertake. They develop your entire body without requiring the most expensive equipment. Anybody can enjoy the benefits of functional fitness regardless of their experience level. With hundreds of activities available to tune your muscles, you’ll find it easy to put your body in shape without damaging your pocket.
