Functional ExerciseThere are many ways to stay healthy and keep fit. Functional exercises will help you benefit greatly.
Try to use functional movements that don't restrict your body to one plane of movement, such as free weights or body weight, NOT resistance machines. Resistance machines seem to dominate gym space but using them restricts the body's natural movement, and hides our imbalances. I wouldn't advise using them. Using free weights or just simply your own body weight provides you with a way of training which allows the body to move more freely. Try exercises in the gym that will have more carry over into normal day to day activities!
I highly recommend resistance exercises that target more than one muscle group, 'Compound' exercises or Functional exercises, such as Lunging, Squatting, Twisting, Bending, and pulling movements. These movements are natural to the human body and will build strength. Squats and lunges rely on many of the body's muscles to function at the same time and therefore make the body work harder than you normally would if you were merely performing isolation movements, which target only one muscle group. Examples: Isolation movement - Bicep Curl. Muscles trained: Biceps Compound movement - Squats. Muscles trained: Quadriceps, Hamstrings, Gluteus Maximus, Abdominals, Shoulders, Lower and Upper Back. Benefits |
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- Your metabolic rate will increase, which means you will burn more calories.
- You will notice better shape to your body which the treadmill and cardio machines do not offer.
- Improved health, strength, posture, balance, muscle definition, energy levels, prevention against injuries. Bones and ligaments will also become stronger.
- Everyday activities will become easier as strength is improved such as climbing stairs, lifting objects, and crouching down to pick things up.
Common Gym Myth
A misconception about lifting weights, often by women, is that it will result in becoming big and bulky. This is highly unlikely to happen.
Women have far less testosterone running through their bodies, in fact they have a fraction of what the average man has, which means they are far less likely to increase size and body mass. Another reason is that women generally consume less calories than men. In order to become big and bulky, you would have to eat an excessive amount of calories on a daily basis, so fear not!
Women have far less testosterone running through their bodies, in fact they have a fraction of what the average man has, which means they are far less likely to increase size and body mass. Another reason is that women generally consume less calories than men. In order to become big and bulky, you would have to eat an excessive amount of calories on a daily basis, so fear not!
