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 activeFunctional fitness can be a good way to combat restlessness and keep your body movinWhat is functional fitness? It refers to exercise that helps you with everyday activities, likgetting up off the flocarrying heavy objecputting something up on a shBy 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 life.

You can go throughout your day without worrying about straining or pulling somethingccording to fitness expert Brad Schoenfeld, functional fitness exists on a continuuIn his view, almost all exercise can be functional depending on the 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 regimen.

It can also promote betterbalanenduranflexibiliAnd who doesn’t want that, rightWe’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 resultYou can do them all safely from your home with minimal equipment1. SqSquatting is a similar movement to sitting in a chair, so it’s a must-include in any functional fitness routine.

Make 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 bodDirectioStand straight with your feet shoulder-width apart and your arms down at your sidBend 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 you When 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 reps.

2. Incline chest preseing able to push yourself up off the ground or another surface is invaluable in terms of functional fitness, but pushups canchallengingThe incline chest press works the same muscles and may be friendlier for beginnerDirectionPosition 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 rep3. Plank