Move It or Lose It: Functional Training for Everyday Life

What is functional training all about? It’s about preparing your body for real-life movements and activities by targeting multiple muscle groups and joints.

This approach enhances strength, balance, coordination, and flexibility, making everyday tasks easier and safer. Here are some essential functional exercises to enhance your daily movement patterns.

First up, squats. Squats mimic the motion of sitting and standing, engaging your core, glutes, hamstrings, and quadriceps. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, keep your chest up, and lower your hips as if you're sitting in a chair.

Building lower body strength through squats makes activities like lifting groceries or playing with the kids much easier.

Next, we have lunges. Lunges improve balance and coordination while working on your glutes, quads, and hamstrings. Step forward with one leg and lower your hips until both knees are bent at about a 90-degree angle.

Push back up and repeat on the other side. Lunges mimic walking and running, helping you move more efficiently.

Let’s not forget about push-ups. Push-ups engage your chest, shoulders, triceps, and core. Start in a plank position with your hands slightly wider than your shoulders, lower your body until your chest nearly touches the floor, then push back up.

Push-ups improve your upper body strength, essential for tasks like pushing a heavy door open or carrying bags.

Lastly, let’s talk about planks. Planks are great for your core, back, shoulders, and glutes. Start in a push-up position but rest your weight on your forearms instead of your hands.

Keep your body in a straight line from head to heels. Planks build a strong core, essential for good posture and reducing the risk of back injuries.

Incorporating these functional exercises into your routine can make a huge difference in how you move and feel every day. They help build strength, improve balance, and make everyday activities easier and more enjoyable.

So give them a try—your body will thank you!