Regular exercise keeps your heart functioning properly. There are so many training routines and workouts available, so don’t be afraid to mix it up. However, if you are trying out a new exercise routine and you haven’t exercised in a while, start off slowly. And if you are looking for a new routine, consider functional fitness. This training helps prepare your body to deal with everyday activities. It helps prevent common injuries, such as pulling a muscle when you pick up your child. Here’s what you need to know about functional fitness.
What is Functional Fitness?
Functional fitness trains your body and strengthens your muscles to help you do everyday functions easily, safely, and efficiently. This form of training focuses on strengthening your core, so you can perform daily tasks at home, work, or the gym.
It aims at building a body that is capable of doing real-life activities in real life positions. It’s a great workout routine to add to your schedule. For example, this training will help you pick up a heavy suitcase without pulling a muscle, instead of deadlifting 200 lbs.
What Are the Benefits?
Functional fitness exercises use multiple joints and a variety of muscles. This type of exercise works several areas of the body at the same time. They can help reduce your risk of injury, increase endurance, and improve your quality of work.
Who Benefits From This Training
It’s always smart to discuss a new fitness regimen with your physician at Brookhaven heart to ensure it’s what you need and isn’t dangerous for you. Generally, everyone benefits from physical activity. However, if you’re pregnant, older, or are just getting back to exercising you may need to start slow or alter movements. Moderate strength training is a good way to get started.
Functional Fitness Exercises
Push-Ups
This simple exercise is one of the most basic and effective functional training exercises. It’s a compound exercise that is great for strengthening your core and upper body. If executed properly, you will also strengthen your chest, shoulders, back, abs, arms, and legs.
Push-ups will help you open doors, push the lawnmower, and move heavy objects without injuring your back or rotator cuff. Simply place your hands slightly further than shoulder length apart, extend your legs back, and dip down keeping your back straight and your core tight. Lower yourself down until your elbows are at a 90-degree angle and repeat.
Farmer’s Walk
The farmer’s walk is an excellent example of functional fitness because it’s simple– it’s just walking while carrying a heavy load. It’s also great because it works every muscle group, improves your grip strength, strengthens your core, and increases endurance.
This exercise will help strengthen your muscles and make activities like carrying luggage around the airport or groceries from your car to the house much easier. To do this exercise, you carry a weighted object like dumbbells, kettlebells, or strongman handles in each hand. Draw your shoulder blades down, core tight, chest up, and head elevated. Then, take short and measured steps.
Consult with Your Cardiologist at Brookhaven Heart
If you have had prior heart concerns or are dealing with them chronically, speak with our cardiologists at Brookhaven Heart before starting any new fitness routine. Our doctors will evaluate your condition and determine the best course of action, to keep you healthy and your heart strong. Get in touch with us today, to schedule an appointment.
