What the Heck Is "Functional Training", and Why Use It?

So I am sure those of you that have the slightest interest in strength training have seen the trend of corrective exercise appearing all over the place. Corrective exercise is basically a term that describes what a physical therapists job is. I will not claim to be a licensed physical therapist, but what I will do is claim that I can greatly reduce the need for them (no offense towards physical therapist as I once thought I was goin to be one). My job as a physical performance trainer is to condition an individual to perform at there best, thus reducing the instance of musculoskeletal issues.

It is long over do, but over the past few years musculoskeletal therapy and strength training have melted together to form “functional training.” This is a devastatingly over-used term these days, but for the lack of a better term, it is pretty accurate. This type of training blends the study and systematic planning of movement patterns, including neuromuscular control, muscle recruitment and energy system efficiency.

Physical Therapists have always used functional training to regain functional strength in rehab patients. This training usually stopped when the patient got back to a healed, slightly stronger version of his/her previous self. The thing is the only thing stronger was the previously injured portion of their body, noting else.

Traditional strength training has been used to build muscle and strength in primarily athletes until only several years ago when the fitness revolution caught on. It was used to build a strong, energy efficient athlete that could perform at a higher level than a non-trained athlete. This training would be continued until that sport got too much for the athlete and they had to retire from it.

Eventually, professionals began to correlate the benefits of physical therapy and the benefits of strength training as complimenting each other, instead of following one another. Athletes could now train to withstand the demands of sport and the injuries that they brought. So not only could they perform at their best, but could do so for a longer period of time, and come out in a healthier state.

Well, in just the past two or three years, the general public has really been exposed to a great deal of this type of training. Fitness professionals realized that if functional training can improve the stamina and movement patterns of an athlete who trains rigorously 6 or 7 days a week, year round, then it could surely improve the pains of the general public in everyday life. AND IT CAN!!!!

A detailed knowledge of functional human anatomy and the demands of a person’s life is the key to creating a system of training that could greatly improve quality of life. This type of training can be targeted to any individual goal. Whether you aim to pack on slabs of muscle, perform your best in sport, or just feel great all day every day, a functional system of training can make your training more efficient and effective at achieving your goals.

For more information on corrective exercise or life and sport performance training contact john@thenewfit.net.