The Importance of Functional Training: Move Better, Live Better, Age Better
When you think of exercise, you might picture lifting heavy weights, running on the treadmill, or doing endless crunches. While those all have their benefits, there’s one type of training that often gets overlooked but can completely transform how you feel in daily life: functional training.
So, what is it? Functional training focuses on movements that mimic real-life activities—things like squatting, reaching, pushing, pulling, bending, and rotating. The goal isn’t just strength; it’s making your body work better for the things you do every day.
Why functional training matters
1. Move better in every day life
From carrying groceries to getting up from the floor to playing with your kids, functional movements make these daily activities easier and safer. You’re training your body to work as one efficient system instead of isolating muscles you’ll never actually use alone.
2. Live better with more energy and less pain
Many aches and pains—like sore backs, knees, or shoulders—are often the result of weak or imbalanced muscles. Functional training strengthens those often-overlooked stabilizing muscles, helping you move with more ease and less discomfort.
3. Age better with strength and independence
As we age, maintaining muscle and mobility becomes essential. Functional training improves balance, coordination, and flexibility, which directly translates to independence and quality of life. Think of it as insurance for your future self.
How to get started with functional training
You don’t need fancy equipment or a gym membership to benefit. Start with basics like:
Squats (getting up and down from a chair)
Deadlifts (picking up items from the floor safely)
Push-ups (building upper body and core strength)
Rows (strengthening your back and posture)
Carries (improving grip and stability while carrying weight)
Adding these movements to your workouts—even a few times per week—can make a huge difference in how you feel every single day.
Functional training isn’t about training harder; it’s about training smarter. When you train to move better, you’re setting yourself up to live better now—and age better later.
Ready to move better, feel stronger, and finally have a plan that works for you? My 1:1 personal training + nutrition coaching program is designed to help you build strength, reduce pain, and create lasting habits. Fill out the contact form here to get started!