Most people don’t exercise as a form of competition or sports training. Instead, they simply want to stay healthy and be able to perform day-to-day tasks safely and efficiently. Functional fitness is all about improving your quality of life! Functional Fitness Training The goal of functional training is to provide you with the flexibility and strength you need in your everyday life, and ensure that your body moves correctly. As a result, functional fitness exercises work on replicating the movements you normally make at home or work. These include using the muscles in your upper and lower body, and developing core stability. One good example of a popular functional fitness activity is a squat. The movement uses the same group of muscles you would use bending down to pick something up, or getting in and out of a chair. Multidirectional lunges and standing bicep curls are other good activities that utilize the muscles you use for other everyday tasks. Tai chi, yoga, and other flexibility activities help increase your range of motion, which is another form of functional fitness. Where to Train Functional fitness training can be performed in your own home, or at the gym. There are plenty of exercises you can do yourself without any equipment. A gym, however, often offers group classes or private training, which can help you stay on track. Gyms also have equipment you can use for more variety, such as fitness balls, weights, and kettle bells. Benefits of Functional Fitness Training Functional training doesn’t just train your muscles, but your whole body. Every motion is controlled by more than just a single muscle or group of muscles. Instead, movement is a coordinated effort that involves your musculoskeletal, respiratory, cardiovascular, and nervous systems. They all work together so you have a fluid movement. Functional training helps you practice these movements consistently so they become more natural and easy to perform. Continue reading at http://sharongould.org/functional-fitness-training/