Functional Fitness

A great deal of fuss has been made recently about “functional” training and movements, and certain exercises/training styles have received a lot of grief as a result. But the question should be asked, what qualifies an exercise as “functional”?

Functional is defined as “Performing or able to perform a regular function.” One movement that is often blasted as “non-functional” is a biceps curl. However, the main “function” of the bicep brachii is flexion of the elbow, or essentially the exact movement in a curling exercise. So is a bicep curl “functional”? Yes. During the exercise you are performing the function the muscle is intended to perform. Performing this exercise repeatedly and fairly often will improve your ability to perform the function of elbow flexion, as you will increase the muscle size and strength output, improve and master movement patterns, as well as strengthen tendons, ligaments, and bones. Not only will the bicep improve it’s ability to do what it should, but the more it is properly developed, the more you decrease the risk of injury, especially if you are involved in any strength training or athletics.

To take it even a step further, training for hypertrophy or muscle size is functional training if the function you desire of your training is to increase muscle size (which is nothing to be ashamed of. What guy doesn’t want a good set of pipes, and what woman doesn't want “toned” arms?). The moral of the story is don’t be fooled by fitness trends and buzzwords. Every muscle should receive proper attention in any fitness routine regardless of goals. The more balanced and complete your body’s structure is, the more functional it will be.

~PAUL