Why Functional Fitness Is Important for Everyone

Even though most of us are spending the majority of our time at home, it’s still important to be physically activFunctional fitness can be a good way to combat restlessness and keep your body movingWhat is functional fitness? It refers to exercise that helps you with everyday activities, likgetting up off the floor carrying heavy objecputting something up on a sheBy strengthening the muscles in the same way you would need to use them for certain tasks, it reduces your risk of injury and increases your quality of lifYou can go throughout your day without worrying about straining or pulling something.

According to fitness expert Brad Schoenfeld, functional fitness exists on a continuumIn his view, almost all exercise can be functional depending on context, because in reality, increasing strength will inherently help you become more functional in daily lifeWhile increasing your overall strength will help you move better, combining strength training with exercises that mirror the movements of daily activities can provide an even more effective training regimenIt can also promote better:balancendurancflexibiliAnd who doesn’t want that, right?

We’ve compiled 13 exercises below that’ll help improve functional fitness for adults of all ages. Complete five to six of these exercises three to four days per week for optimal resultsYou can do them all safely from your home with minimal equipment.1. SquSquatting is a similar movement to sitting in a chair, so it’s a must-include in any functional fitness routinMake sure you’re moving slow and controlled throughout the movement, and if you need more of a challenge, hold a light dumbbell in each hand. If you need to modify this movement, limit your range of motion so the depth of your squat works for your body.

DirectionsStand straight with your feet shoulder-width apart and your arms down at your sideBend your knees and start to squat down, pushing back into your hips, almost as if you’re about to sit in a chair. Raise your arms up in front of you as youWhen your thighs are parallel to the ground, pause and push through your heels, extending your legs and returning to the starting positiComplete 2 sets of 15 reps2. Incline chest prBeing able to push yourself up off the ground or another surface is invaluable in terms of functional fitness, but pushups can be very challenThe incline cpress works the same muscles and may be friendlier for beginners.

DirectionsPosition the bench at a 45-degree angle. Hold one dumbbell in each hand and lean back onto the bench. Extend your arms straight up with the dumbbells above your heBend your arms, slowly dropping the weights toward your chest. When your upper arms are just pass parallel to the ground, push the dumbbells back up to the starting position, using your pectoral muscles to lead the movemenComplete 2 sets of 15 rep. PlaGetting into and holding the plank position requires mobility and balance, which is helpful for getting up off the floor. Plus, the exercise recruits so many muscles, so it’s great for building ovstDirectionsStart on all fours with your palms planted on the ground and your knees bent slightly further than 90 degPush up from your hands and feet, extenyour arms and legs, and keep your core tight. Your body should form a straight line from head to toHold for as long as you can. Repeat for 2 sets.