“Functional Fitness” has been seemingly overused by everyone for everything. Any idiot can take the word and apply it to any movement they so choose. And with the barrage of non-functional movements that are seen today in bodybuilding-style globo-gyms and on the countless, obnoxious TV infomercials, I am forced to assert without argument that it is extensively overused.
In CrossFit (a major foundation of my training program) we use the term “functional” to describe the exercises utilizing movements most representative of natural movement. Man’s world, nature, is full of movement. Our standing, sitting, throwing, lifting, pushing, pulling, climbing, running, and of course, punching are all quite natural. They got us where we are. They are part of our design.
These natural, primal, movements influence the exercises included in CrossFit’s workouts.
Functional movements generally use universal motor recruitment patterns, recruit in a wave of contraction from core (not the same meaning as the buzz word here) to extremity, move the body or other object effectively and efficiently, and are multi-joint “compound” movements, which are neurologically irreducible.
The movements we’ve selected are in large part responsible for the potency of the CrossFit protocol.
Sorry, biceps curls, triceps extensions, leg extensions/leg curls, and the coveted leg press are NOT functional. And, if you want to argue that the leg press is “functional”, I’ll hammer you with a more technical array of how it will jack your body up both short-term and long-term.
Coach-curls-are-for-the-girls-Justin
PerformanceQuestFitness@gmail.com
Natural movements are absolutely the most functional. I like your concept. Interested in your take on "core & cardio"
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