Train For Movement Not Size

Functional Benefits of Exercise

Hi Readers

It’s no secret that exercise does wonders for your health and happiness—regular fitness has been linked with boosting energy,relieving stress and helping with everyday tasks and so much more.

Functional training is aimed at doing exercises that allow you to be more efficient in your day to day exercises.

It is more effective to perform most core functional strength training exercises while standing. The reason is simply because most movements are carried out in a standing position.

Beside, the essential hip stabilizing muscles will be involved in these exercises along with the abdominal muscles.

When starting a training program I aim to replicate day to day movements. Exercises that are focused on areas such as the upper back.

The upper back is highly compromised because of sitting and bending over in front of a computer or smart phone. Having big biceps wont help with stabilizing and  stopping the forward rounded shoulders many people suffer from.

Rolling a ball up ad down a wall so  arms are above our heads is one functional movement that has huge benefits for relieving stress in the upper back and neck.

Swimming allows for range of motion and better functionality of the shoulders.  Walking in the water is a simple way to train to stand straight up.

So my suggestion is to get back to basic movement exercises that involve full range of motion and are replicating day to day activities to keep oneself sharp and feeling good at the end of the day versus bent over and sore.

Mark O’Neill and Shelley Donald are both registered Personal Trainers.

Email:     [email protected]

Web:   www.oneillconditioning.com