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When you walk into a gym, what's the first thing you see? Mirrors. While they are used by some people watch their form, most people just enjoy looking at themselves look good, which is exactly the reason that most people go to the gym in the first place. Many people never even consider the ability to increase performance and functional strength when they work out, all they care about is improving the way they look. It's easy to confuse the meaning of functional fitness. The true meaning of the term is the capability of people to improve their performance in their chosen activities and daily lives. Functional fitness allows improves endurance, strength, and the overall ability of people to move. If a trainee focuses on performing better, the form will absolutely follow. Set some goals and try to break them. Even going to your limit with push ups and then trying to up that number the next time is a step to the road of performance-based training. Training for functionality can be started simply with the following list: 1. Instead of traditional cardio machines, do hill sprints and jump rope intervals 2. Instead of isolation exercises (arm curls, leg extensions), do compound exercises (pull-ups, squats) 3. Try new full-body training techniques, like kettlebell exercises This is obviously a very general list, but the most important thing to remember is if you train with a purpose and that purpose is to be stronger and last longer, you will look better. This way, instead of focusing on something material, you strive for a goal that's much more worthwhile. What's the point of looking strong without actually being strong? Setting a goal for yourself of a lower body fat percentage and then hitting is fun, but there's nothing like setting a performance-based goal and achieving it. Government organizations have created many performance-based tests for their personnel. One of the hardest is the Secret Service Snatch Test. It involves doing 200 kettlebell snatches with a 53lb kettlebell in 10 minutes. A kettlebell snatch, for those who don't know, is an exercise where you swing the kettlebell through your legs and then in one motion, bring it overhead. I decided I wanted to try this out so I tested myself and hit 160. I had some work ahead of me. For the next few weeks I trained for this test and worked hard on beating my last score. After a solid month of kettlebell work, I tested myself again and after ten minutes I had done 209 snatches. The result of my training was a lower body fat, lower weight, and a feeling of pride that I had accomplished something, not to mention my strength gain was through the roof. Training to be functionally fit will have far more benefits than just looking fit. Try it out and see how you feel.
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About the author: Marcus Martinez can show you how to your fitness goals. For fitness tips view his free training programs concerninghealth & fitness.
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