Functional Fitness is a huge push right now in the fitness world. In short, being “functionally fit” means that a person is able to perform every day activities without undue fatigue. Someone who is not functionally fit might be able to bench press 300 pounds but they can’t walk up the stairs without getting out of breath.
When you train to improve your functional fitness, you want to target multiple parts of the body at the same time. Rather than doing a bench press, for example, you would do a pushup. The bench press targets your chest, anterior deltoids, and triceps. The pushup also works these muscles but it’s a full body exercise that also requires you to use your abs, lower back, legs, and countless other supporting muscles. The pushup is more efficient and will burn more calories.
Rarely in life will you have to lie on your back and lift a heavy weight straight towards the ceiling. However, you might be laying on your stomach and have to push yourself up into a sitting position… that’s functional fitness!