What is Functional Fitness?

Functional fitness includes a variety of exercises that improve your strength and ability 
to complete daily tasks that tend to require more physical abilities. These workouts are 
not just for changing your body and making you stronger, but helping you with basic 
daily tasks that require using your strength and flexibility. It is actually really important 
that you understand functional fitness, no matter what your goals are.


Benefits of Functional Fitness

The main advantages for functional fitness are right there in the name – they allow you 
to function on a daily basis, with things that use your physical strength. This might 
include bending over to pick up something you dropped on the ground, carrying 
something heavy up the stairs, or bringing groceries inside. 


Examples of Functional Fitness Exercises

Squats, lunges, and push-ups are great examples of functional fitness exercises. They 
mimic movements we do in our daily lives. For example, when you do a squat, you're 
essentially doing the same movement as when you sit down in a chair.

Squats - Squats are great for strengthening your lower body. They work your 
quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes, which are essential for many daily activities like 
sitting, standing, and lifting.

Lunges - Lunges work your lower body as well, but they also challenge your balance 
and coordination. When you take a step forward and lower your body, you're doing a 
similar movement to climbing stairs or stepping over a low obstacle.

Push-ups - Push-ups are a great way to strengthen your upper body. They work your 
chest, shoulders, and arms, which are used in activities like pushing a door open or 
putting something on a high shelf.


Functional Fitness and Age

Functional fitness is especially beneficial as we age. As we get older, our muscle 
strength and coordination can decline, making it harder to do daily tasks. Functional 
fitness exercises can help slow this decline and keep you independent longer.

Even if you don’t have fitness as a goal for aesthetic reasons, it is great to add some 
functional fitness workouts to your routine as you age. Combine this with walking to help 
with your heart health and overall wellness, and you will be doing  great at any age.


Functional Fitness and Sports

If you play a sport, functional fitness exercises can help improve your performance. For 
example, if you're a basketball player, doing squats can help you jump higher. If you're a 
golfer, doing rotational exercises can help improve your swing.

