Functional Training

The latest findings in exercise science advocate exercises that maximally stimulate the central nervous system. Challenging one's balance and coordination while working with a variety of resistance loads improves the function of the central nervous system and, therefore, the human body's ability to function during one's daily activities.

The face of exercise is changing. The days of attempting to "isolate" an individual muscle group while training to improve/maintain one's overall health are waning. Machines are now created to be more "functional." The exercises we practice should integrate the use of multiple muscle groups and be applicable to the physical tasks we perform throughout our day. Balance and coordination while moving our muscles and joints through varied ranges of motion is a necessity. Practicing these movements with added resistance during exercise makes us more efficient as we perform life's daily functions.

Currently, the emphasis in fitness training is to involve as many supporting muscles in one exercise as possible. Creators of exercise equipment no longer aim to build machines that confine the user in a position, which unnaturally emphasizes a particular muscle group. Support for our back, arms or legs must come from our ability to control the active ancillary muscles throughout each exercise movement. To effectively use our extremities, we must learn to control the muscles of the trunk. Welcome to "functional" fitness.

Functional fitness challenges the exerciser to perform several tasks simultaneously. To effectively exercise the muscles targeted during a particular set, the exerciser must first control the muscles that are not targeted while maintaining proper posture and correct alignment of the torso.