Functional strength training should be thought of in terms
of a movement continuum. The human body performs a
wide range of movement activities, such as walking, jogging,
running, sprinting, jumping, lifting, pushing, pulling, bending,
twisting, turning, standing, starting, stopping, climbing
and lunging. All of these activities involve smooth, rhythmic
motions in the three cardinal planes of movememnt, sagital, coronal and transverse.
In functional training, it is as critical to train the specific movement as it is to train the muscles involved in the movement. The brain, which controls muscular movement, thinks in terms of whole motions, not individual muscles. Exercises that isolate joints and muscles are training muscles, not movements, which results in less functional improvement. For example, squats will have a greater "transfer effect" on improving an individual's ability to rise from a sofa than knee extensions.
* When you condition in a functional manner and focus on specific movements, you can expect to have:
Increased functional conditioning, along with decreased back pain and discomfort.
Increased work productivity as well as increased stress managememnt.
Decreased bouts of acute illness, and therefore less time away from work.
Increased fat and weight loss.
Decreased liklihood of acquiring chronic illness.
A better quality of life, with an enhanced and more optimistic outlook.
