Press weight into balls of feet, and make sure core is engaged. This is a 6-day program with 3 functional bodybuilding workouts and 3 HIFT workouts per week. Every 2 weeks, you’ll add in the Strength Ladder workout before either the Chest & Triceps workout or Back & Biceps workout. If you’re looking for explosive power, kettlebell swings are the way to go. They target your glutes, hamstrings, and core while building cardio endurance.
Functional vs traditional strength training
These movements easily translate to everyday activities, showing results faster than isolated movements, like the ones done on the bulky machines at the gym. Rarely do we find ourselves isolating single muscles to complete daily takes. By coordinating these muscle groups in your regular workout routine, you create muscle memory for the motion that will help you perform essential tasks. Start on all fours with your palms on the mat a little wider than shoulder-width apart. Make sure your arms are straight and directly underneath your shoulders.
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They strengthen specific muscle groups around your posterior chain, including your hamstrings, glutes, and lower back, while teaching you proper hip-hinging mechanics. This is essential for lifting heavy objects safely, like furniture or a packed suitcase, and it also improves your posture and reduces the risk of back pain. So for functional fitness, we prioritize natural movements (squats, pull-ups) over exercises that are done on a machine (leg presses, lat pulldown). And the best part, you don’t have to be a current or former athlete to benefit from strength and agility training. Functional fitness training also fosters athletic development. Whether you’re carrying a toddler, climbing stairs, or sprinting to catch the bus, these activities require strength, agility, and coordination.
More FREE Workout Programs
In this blog, we’re diving into 10 of the best functional strength training workouts you can do at home. No gym membership needed, no complicated equipment required, and plenty of practical benefits to help you crush those tasks in your daily life. This is a functional strength program, which means the workouts focus on functional movement patterns and strength exercises that help you perform activities in everyday life more easily. Functional fitness training is important because you focus on training systems of muscles together to complete daily life movements. Training your body for everyday activities increases your coordination, balance, flexibility, and overall strength. Functional training has become a foundation for fitness professionals around the world due to its real-life benefits.
Focus on Form and Control
Orangetheory is a dynamic blend of strength and cardio training scientifically designed to give you the most efficient and energizing 1-hour total body workout. All elements of the class work together to supercharge your metabolism so you’re burning calories and body fat while also building lean muscle. Planks can be tough to hold, but this isometric exercise strengthens your core, back, and shoulders, all of which you use on a functional basis. Functional exercises can be more time-efficient for fitness and weight loss than focusing on one muscle at a time. Adding a few shorter, more intense full-body exercise sessions to your routine boosts the calories you burn.
- Functional training has become a foundation for fitness professionals around the world due to its real-life benefits.
- Balance is used in everything we do, whether we are simply standing and talking to a friend or playing hopscotch with the kids.
- Being able to lift and carry heavy objects is about as functional as you can get.
- Progression is key to building strength and seeing results from your functional strength workout.
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- Functional workouts improve joint health, mobility, and core strength, which are all critical for improving your health span.
More on Health & Fitness
To help people get stronger, healthier, and more confident – all with a fun, no-nonsense approach. The farmer’s walk will challenge your arms, back, shoulders, core, and grip. Squats are one of the most fundamental functional movements in our lives.

What Are the Benefits of Functional Training?

You can find more information about which signature program is right for you (and the order I recommend progressing through my programs) in this free Nourish Move Love Program Guide. The main benefit of good balance is you don’t have to worry about falling. According to the National Council on Aging, “Falls are the leading cause of fatal injury and the most common cause of nonfatal trauma-related hospital admissions among older adults”. We take a full 360-degree view of how our customers store and use our products. We keep your health, safety, and life in mind in every product we create.
This is the best for when you’re short on time or energy
Consistency is key for functional fitness training to pay off. The CDC recommends at least 150 minutes (about 5 hours) of moderate-intensity activity per week, paired with strength training on two or more days. Functional fitness training is a form of strength training!
Day 5: 20-Minute Full Body Functional Strength Training
Elevate your workout routine today with F45 Training’s extensive selection of innovative, ever-changing workouts. Get access to over 5,000 curated F45 workouts and 45 unique F45 classes designed to give you the results you’re looking for. A. Lower body into a half squat position, with feet hips-width apart, knees bent, coming down only halfway to your typical squat position, and weight in the heels.
Unlocking Everyday Benefits of Strength Training
This movement works the biceps well but requires little involvement from other muscles. There are many variations, like walking lunges, reverse lunges, and Bulgarian split squats. Functional strength training focuses on the muscles you use to move with more confidence, control, and ease during these activities. Another glutes-focused functional fitness move, you can also try this is madmuscles reliable at the beginning of a lower-body workout to warm up the major muscles of your hips and legs. Up the difficulty by keeping your butt from touching the floor in between reps. Practice lateral movement patterns, encourage joint mobility, and boost your heart rate with this simple — but not so easy — workout functional fitness workout move.
