Functional Fitness. What is it and why does it matter?

Functional fitness refers to exercises that help us with everyday activities by simulating common movements like those we might do at home, at work, or in sports.

We generally differentiate four types of exercise:

• Endurance

• Strength

• Balance

• Flexibility

Functional fitness training uses various upper and lower body muscles at the same time, thereby also emphasizing core stability. This is particularly important because we lose core strength as we get older, and core strength is directly linked to balance.

Some examples of functional fitness are:

• Dead lifts done with hand weights or a kettle ball because this exercise works the muscles you use when picking up an object from the floor.

• Squats build lower body strength.

• Pressing movements such as overhead presses with weights simulate lifting a heavy object overhead like putting something up on a shelf.

• Stepping on an elevated surface like stairs or an exercise stepper.

• Walking.

• Bending.

• Movements done while balancing on one leg.

So why does functional fitness matter?

As we get older we lose core strength and muscle mass. We tend to move less both in terms of volume and intensity and our joint range of motion decreases. These changes not only make us more susceptible to injury, they also affect our ability to perform everyday tasks efficiently and safely, and that of course affects our quality of life.

While we cannot stop the aging process, we can certainly slow it down and age gracefully by:

• Getting enough sleep (it is a myth that older people need less sleep)

• Stretching!

• Walking

• Having a healthy diet

• Reducing sugar intake

• Doing balance and core exercises

• Accepting that aging is inevitable

• Practicing gratitude

What do you do to keep yourself fit and healthy as you approach your 60s, 70s, and 80s?

Sources: mayoclinic.org, nia.nih.gov, activebeat.com