Functional Fitness

What is Functional Fitness?
It is fitness that is functional.  Think everyday movements that you take for granted, eg: sitting; bending; lifting; pulling; turning, walking etc.  If you have never had an injury, then you will be one of the blessed that have never had to rehabilitate for everyday movements.

If you have never classed yourself as a “fitness focussed person” you too have probably not thought about your requirements for “functional fitness”.  If you wish to remain youthful, then functional fitness needs to be a focus.  How would a functional fitness program look?

It would encompass everyday movements that would assist functional fitness, such as: acceleration and stopping; getting up from the floor, and getting down; sitting to standing and back again; sitting; bending; lifting; pulling; turning, walking etc.

Fitness at any age means you have good cardiovascular; muscular strength & endurance; flexibility; balance & gait.  Add into your program some simple exercises: 2min step in place; 6min walk; 30sec chair stand; 30second arm curl; chair sit and reach; back scratch; 2.4m up and go; and 15.2m walking at speed.  Yes, these exercises are apart of older adults exercise.  However, everyone who wants to be fit, and stay young; needs to be able to achieve these exercises with ease and grace.

Food for thought!  Add them to your routine now, don’t wait until it’s a reactive measure to regain fitness.