{"id":20279,"date":"2020-07-31T16:13:27","date_gmt":"2020-07-31T16:13:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/?p=20279"},"modified":"2020-07-31T17:11:15","modified_gmt":"2020-07-31T17:11:15","slug":"what-is-functional-fitness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/what-is-functional-fitness\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Functional Fitness? A Better Way to Move"},"content":{"rendered":"Jessica Nelson, RDN, CPT<\/a>, teaches us the ins and outs of functional fitness.<\/em>\r\n\r\nLearn how a functional fitness routine can help improve your quality of life and upgrade movements for even the simplest tasks. Plus: a simple (yet challenging!) full-body functional training workout you can do at home or at the gym.\r\n

What is Functional Fitness?<\/h2>\r\nFunctional fitness is a type of training involving exercises that help prepare the body to perform everyday tasks with ease. Such tasks include sitting, standing, walking, lifting, pushing, pulling, rotating, and climbing.\r\n\r\nA functional exercise program combines multidirectional movements utilizing multiple muscle groups. It’s conveniently tailored to both your strengths and weaknesses.\r\n\r\n\"Man\r\n

Benefits of Functional Fitness<\/h2>\r\n

Promotes Strength + Mobility<\/h3>\r\nFunctional exercise is vital in strength training to prevent injury<\/a> and promote longevity.\r\n\r\nSpecifically, a review of several functional fitness studies showed beneficial outcomes on muscle strength, balance, and mobility<\/a>.\r\n

Counteracts Age-Related Loss of Muscle Mass<\/h3>\r\nOnce you reach your 30s, muscle mass decreases<\/a> by an average of three to five percent each decade. Unfortunately, the loss of muscle mass results in reduced strength and function.\r\n\r\nThis decrease affects posture, stability, coordination, and endurance. With these realities in mind, it’s clear that functional exercises are essential to encourage active, healthy daily living.\r\n

Requires Minimal Equipment<\/h3>\r\nLastly, a major benefit of functional fitness is that many of the exercises require just your body weight. Meanwhile, other moves call for minimal equipment such as resistance bands or dumbbells.\r\n

The 7 Functional Movements<\/h2>\r\n

1. SQUATS<\/h3>\r\nSquats involve multiple muscles (quads, hip flexors, gluteus, and hamstrings) in your legs. They also require core strength.\r\n\r\nThey’re essential for many aspects of everyday life, like standing up from a seated position. Additionally, we squat when we tie our shoes and lift heavy objects.\r\n\r\nTypes of squats include:\r\n