{"id":43906,"date":"2022-06-19T01:19:26","date_gmt":"2022-06-19T01:19:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/?p=43906"},"modified":"2024-12-16T08:35:01","modified_gmt":"2024-12-16T08:35:01","slug":"functional-fitness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/functional-fitness\/","title":{"rendered":"Functional Fitness: What It Is And Why You Need To Practice It"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_75 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/functional-fitness\/#What_Are_The_Four_Types_Of_Fitness\" >What Are The Four Types Of Fitness?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/functional-fitness\/#What_Are_The_Benefits_Of_Functional_Fitness\" >What Are The Benefits Of Functional Fitness?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/functional-fitness\/#Improving_Everyday_Movement_Patterns\" >Improving Everyday Movement Patterns<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/functional-fitness\/#Reducing_The_Risk_Of_Injury\" >Reducing The Risk Of Injury<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/functional-fitness\/#Improving_Sports_Performance\" >Improving Sports Performance<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/functional-fitness\/#What_Are_The_Principles_Of_Functional_Fitness\" >What Are The Principles Of Functional Fitness?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/functional-fitness\/#1_Specificity\" >1. Specificity<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/functional-fitness\/#2_Overload\" >2. Overload<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/functional-fitness\/#3_Reversibility\" >3. Reversibility<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/functional-fitness\/#4_Individuality\" >4. Individuality<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/functional-fitness\/#What_Are_The_Components_Of_Functional_Fitness\" >What Are The Components Of Functional Fitness?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/functional-fitness\/#1_Cardiovascular_Endurance\" >1. Cardiovascular Endurance<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/functional-fitness\/#2_Muscular_Endurance\" >2. Muscular Endurance<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/functional-fitness\/#3_Muscular_Strength\" >3. Muscular Strength<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/functional-fitness\/#4_Flexibility\" >4. Flexibility<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/functional-fitness\/#5_Balance\" >5. Balance<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/functional-fitness\/#What_Is_An_Example_Of_A_Functional_Exercise\" >What Is An Example Of A Functional Exercise?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/functional-fitness\/#Deadlifts\" >Deadlifts<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/functional-fitness\/#Overhead_Press\" >Overhead Press<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/functional-fitness\/#Farmers_Carry\" >Farmer&#8217;s Carry<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/functional-fitness\/#Plank\" >Plank<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/functional-fitness\/#Pull-Up\" >Pull-Up<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/functional-fitness\/#Step-Up\" >Step-Up<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/functional-fitness\/#Is_Functional_Fitness_The_Same_As_CrossFit\" >Is Functional Fitness The Same As CrossFit?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-25\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/functional-fitness\/#Conclusion\" >Conclusion<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-26\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/functional-fitness\/#Get_your_personalized\" >Get your personalized<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Doing everyday tasks like carrying groceries or climbing stairs shouldn&#8217;t be hard. But with a busy lifestyle and many hours spent seated at a desk, these simple activities can become difficult. This is where functional fitness comes in. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Functional fitness is a type of exercise that helps you improve your everyday movement patterns. It does this by working on your flexibility, strength, balance, and coordination (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fphys.2021.738878\/full#:~:text=The%20main%20findings%20indicated%20that,and%20muscular%20endurance)%20among%20athletes.\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). The goal of functional fitness is to make your body more efficient at performing daily tasks. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While functional fitness can be beneficial for everyone, it is especially important for older adults. As we age, our bodies become less able to do the things we take for granted. This can lead to a decline in our overall health and <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/mental-fitness\/\">quality of life<\/a>. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Curious how functional fitness can help you? Keep reading to learn more about what functional fitness is and the benefits it offers.<\/span><\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2361&utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Functional_Fitness\" target=\"_blank\"><video autoplay=\"autoplay\" loop=\"loop\" muted=\"muted\" playsinline=\"playsinline\" width=\"777\"><source src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/ezgif.com-gif-to-mp4-2.mp4\" type=\"video\/mp4\" \/><\/video><\/a>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Are_The_Four_Types_Of_Fitness\"><\/span><b>What Are The Four Types Of Fitness?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There four main types of physical activity are (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nia.nih.gov\/health\/four-types-exercise-can-improve-your-health-and-physical-ability#:~:text=Research%20has%20shown%20that%20it's,strength%2C%20balance%2C%20and%20flexibility.\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">):<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Aerobic: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This type of activity requires oxygen and works your heart and lungs. It&#8217;s a good way to stay fit and help reduce your risk of heart disease. Examples include walking, jogging, biking, and swimming.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Muscle-strengthening:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> This type of activity helps improve your muscle strength and help reduce your risk of falls and fractures. Activities like lifting weights, using resistance bands, and doing bodyweight exercises.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Balance: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This type of activity helps improve your proprioception (your ability to sense where your body is in space) and reduce your risk of falls. Some of its examples are yoga, tai chi, and Pilates.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Flexibility: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This type of activity helps improve your range of motion and reduce your risk of injuries. For example, stretching, foam rolling, and massage.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While all four types of physical activity are important for overall health, functional fitness focuses on the last three: muscle-strengthening, balance, and flexibility.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Are_The_Benefits_Of_Functional_Fitness\"><\/span><b>What Are The Benefits Of Functional Fitness?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are many benefits to be gained from practicing functional fitness, including:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Improving_Everyday_Movement_Patterns\"><\/span><b>Improving Everyday Movement Patterns<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By improving your movement patterns, you can make everyday activities easier. This is because functional fitness helps retrain your muscles to work together more efficiently (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/eurapa.biomedcentral.com\/articles\/10.1007\/s11556-014-0144-1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, if you suffer from lower back pain, doing exercises that strengthen your core muscles can help improve your posture and alleviate some of the strain on your back.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2361&#038;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Functional_Fitness\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-43751 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Frame-207486-1024x576.png\" alt=\"functional fitness\" width=\"770\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Frame-207486.png 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Frame-207486-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Frame-207486.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Frame-207486-1636x920.png 1636w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Frame-207486.png 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Reducing_The_Risk_Of_Injury\"><\/span><b>Reducing The Risk Of Injury<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Functional fitness can help reduce your risk of injury by improving your balance, flexibility, and coordination (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S1728869X10600172\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). This is because these exercises train your muscles to work together more effectively, which can help prevent imbalances that can lead to injuries.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Improving_Sports_Performance\"><\/span><b>Improving Sports Performance<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;re an athlete, functional fitness can help improve your sports performance by enhancing your explosiveness, power, and agility (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.journalofsportsmedicine.org\/abstract\/553\/eng\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). This is because functional exercises train your muscles to work together in a more coordinated way, which can translate into better athletic performance.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Read More:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/can-you-turn-fat-into-muscle-by-lifting\/\">Can You Turn Fat Into Muscle By Lifting? Decrypting The Myths And Facts Of This Fitness Concept<\/a><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Are_The_Principles_Of_Functional_Fitness\"><\/span><b>What Are The Principles Of Functional Fitness?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The principles of functional fitness are:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Specificity\"><\/span><b>1. Specificity<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This principle states that your training should be specific to your goals. In other words, if you want to improve your running performance, you should focus on exercises that will help improve your running specifically.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Overload\"><\/span><b>2. Overload<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This principle states that in order to see results from your training, you need to gradually increase the level of difficulty of your workouts. This can be done by increasing the weight you&#8217;re lifting, the number of repetitions you&#8217;re doing, or the length of time you&#8217;re working out.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Reversibility\"><\/span><b>3. Reversibility<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This principle states that if you stop training, your results will quickly disappear. This is why it&#8217;s important to stick with your training program even when you&#8217;re seeing results to avoid losing the progress you&#8217;ve made.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2361&#038;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Functional_Fitness\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-43412 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/24-1024x576.png\" alt=\"BetterMe\" width=\"770\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/24.png 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/24-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/24.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/24.png 1344w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Individuality\"><\/span><b>4. Individuality<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This principle states that everyone is different and will respond to training differently. This means that you need to find a training program that works best for you, based on your own goals, abilities, and preferences.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>If you\u2019ve mustered up the courage to crush your weight loss goal, let Betterme take the sting out of this demanding process. <a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2361&#038;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Functional_Fitness\">Our app will help you<\/a> restructure your habits, remold your life and crank up your fitness results!<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Are_The_Components_Of_Functional_Fitness\"><\/span><b>What Are The Components Of Functional Fitness?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The components of functional fitness are:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Cardiovascular_Endurance\"><\/span><b>1. Cardiovascular Endurance<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The ability of your heart and lungs to work together efficiently to supply oxygen to your muscles during extended periods of activity.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Muscular_Endurance\"><\/span><b>2. Muscular Endurance<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The ability of your muscles to perform repeated contractions over an extended period without becoming fatigued.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Muscular_Strength\"><\/span><b>3. Muscular Strength<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The ability of your muscles to generate force in order to lift or move heavy objects.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Flexibility\"><\/span><b>4. Flexibility<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The ability of your joints and muscles to move through their full range of motion without being restricted by stiffness or tightness.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Balance\"><\/span><b>5. Balance<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The ability to maintain your center of gravity over your base of support without losing your balance.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Read More:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/youth-fitness\/\">Youth Fitness Activities And Their Benefits<\/a><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2361&#038;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Functional_Fitness\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-43341 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-5961-1024x576.png\" alt=\"functional fitness\" width=\"770\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-5961.png 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-5961-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-5961.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-5961.png 1152w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Is_An_Example_Of_A_Functional_Exercise\"><\/span><b>What Is An Example Of A Functional Exercise?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An example of a functional <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/firefighter-fitness-program\/\">exercise<\/a> is the squat. The squat is an effective functional exercise because it trains your muscles to work together in a coordinated way, which can improve your balance, flexibility, and coordination.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Additionally, the squat is an effective exercise for improving your cardiovascular endurance and muscular strength (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.nasm.org\/biomechanics-of-the-squat\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Perfecting this exercise can help with everyday activities such as getting in and out of a car or picking up something off the ground.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here is how you perform a squat:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and your arms at your sides.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lower your body down into a squatting position by bending at your knees and hips. Keep your back straight and your knees pointing in the same direction as your toes.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Return to the starting position by straightening your legs and pushing through your heels.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Increase the difficulty of the exercise by holding a weight in your hands or wearing a weighted vest.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other examples of <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/nordic-walking-benefits\/\">functional exercises<\/a>, and how to execute them:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2361&#038;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Functional_Fitness\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-43333 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-5953-1024x576.png\" alt=\"functional fitness\" width=\"770\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-5953.png 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-5953-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-5953.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Frame-5953.png 1152w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Deadlifts\"><\/span><b>Deadlifts<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Deadlifts are a good functional <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/how-to-start-getting-fit-after-40\/\">exercise<\/a> because they work a variety of muscle groups, including the muscles in your back, legs, and arms. Perfecting your technique can help improve your posture and prevent back pain.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You&#8217;ll also be able to pick stuff off the ground with ease, move furniture and take your sleeping child to their bed without waking them up.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here is how you perform a deadlift:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and your arms at your sides, holding a weight in front of your thighs with your palms facing your body.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bend at your knees and hips to lower your body down toward the weight, keeping your back straight and your knees pointing in the same direction as your toes.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Grab the weight with both hands and lift it off the ground, standing up straight as you do so.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Return to the starting position by lowering the weight back down to the ground and bending at your knees and hips.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Overhead_Press\"><\/span><b>Overhead Press<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The overhead press is a functional exercise that works your shoulders, arms, and core muscles. Perfecting your technique can help improve your posture and prevent back pain.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You&#8217;ll also be able to reach things on high shelves and open jars with ease. Other tasks like hoisting a suitcase into an overhead compartment on a plane will also be a breeze.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here is how you perform an overhead press:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and holding a barbell or two dumbbells in each hand.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Raise the weights up to shoulder level with your palms facing forward.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From here, press the weights overhead until your arms are straight.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lower the weights back down to shoulder level and repeat for the desired number of repetitions.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>Reasons why BetterMe is a safe bet: a wide range of calorie-blasting workouts, finger-licking recipes, 24\/7 support, challenges that\u2019ll keep you on your best game, and that just scratches the surface! <a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2361&#038;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Functional_Fitness\">Start using our app<\/a> and watch the magic happen.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2361&#038;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Functional_Fitness\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-42476 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Frame-5923-1-1024x576.png\" alt=\"functional fitness\" width=\"770\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Frame-5923-1.png 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Frame-5923-1-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Frame-5923-1.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Frame-5923-1-1636x920.png 1636w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Frame-5923-1.png 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Farmers_Carry\"><\/span><b>Farmer&#8217;s Carry<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is one of the simplest, yet most effective, functional exercises. The farmer&#8217;s carry works your grip strength, arm muscles, and core muscles. It also improves your posture and can help prevent back pain.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Carrying groceries or luggage will be a breeze after incorporating this <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/6-week-female-fitness-model-workout\/\">exercise<\/a> into your routine.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here is how you perform a farmer&#8217;s carry:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and your arms at your sides.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bend down and grab a weight in each hand.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stand up tall and hold the weights at your sides, keeping your shoulders down and your core engaged.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Walk forward for the desired distance or time, making sure to keep your shoulders down and your core engaged the entire time.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Return to the starting position and repeat for the desired number of repetitions.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can also increase the difficulty of this exercise by carrying heavier weights or walking uphill.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Plank\"><\/span><b>Plank<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The plank is a great functional exercise for working your core muscles and improving your posture. Perfecting your technique can help prevent back pain and <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/can-exercise-make-your-period-heavier\/\">improve your balance<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You&#8217;ll also be able to hold yourself in the proper position when performing other exercises like push-ups and pull-ups.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here is how you perform a plank:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Start by lying on your stomach with your feet shoulder-width apart and your palms flat on the ground in front of you.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Raise yourself up onto your toes and forearms, keeping your body in a straight line from your head to your feet.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hold this position for the desired amount of time or until your form starts to break down.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lower yourself back down to the starting position and repeat for the desired number of repetitions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can also increase the difficulty of this exercise by holding a weight in your hands or placing your feet on an unstable surface.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2361&#038;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Functional_Fitness\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-38873 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Frame-5427-1024x576.png\" alt=\"functional fitness\" width=\"770\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Frame-5427.png 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Frame-5427-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Frame-5427.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Frame-5427.png 1344w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pull-Up\"><\/span><b>Pull-Up<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The pull-up is a great functional exercise for working your back, arm, and core muscles. Perfecting your technique can help improve your posture and prevent back pain. You&#8217;ll also be able to pull yourself up and over obstacles with ease.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here is how you perform a pull-up:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Start by hanging from a bar with your hands shoulder-width apart and your palms facing away from you.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use your back and arm muscles to pull yourself up until your chin is over the bar.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lower yourself back down to the starting position and repeat for the desired number of repetitions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can also increase the difficulty of this exercise by adding weight to your body or using a narrower grip.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step-Up\"><\/span><b>Step-Up<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The step-up is a great functional <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/push-up-alternatives\/\">exercise<\/a> for working your leg muscles. Perfecting your technique can help improve your balance and coordination. You&#8217;ll also be able to climb stairs and hills with ease.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here is how you perform a step-up:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Start by standing in front of a bench or box with your feet shoulder-width apart.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Place your right foot on the bench and push yourself up with your left leg, bringing your right leg up to meet your left.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Step back down with your right leg and repeat with your left leg.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can also increase the difficulty of this exercise by adding weight to your body or using a higher bench.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2361&#038;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Functional_Fitness\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-38869 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Frame-5662-1024x576.png\" alt=\"functional fitness\" width=\"770\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Frame-5662.png 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Frame-5662-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Frame-5662.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Frame-5662-1636x920.png 1636w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Frame-5662.png 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_Functional_Fitness_The_Same_As_CrossFit\"><\/span><b>Is Functional Fitness The Same As CrossFit?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No, functional fitness is not the same as CrossFit. CrossFit is a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program that combines functional movements with weightlifting, gymnastics, and cardio.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Functional fitness focuses on exercises that improve your ability to perform everyday activities. While both programs can improve your overall fitness, they are not the same.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span><b>Conclusion<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Functional fitness is a type of training that focuses on improving your ability to perform everyday tasks with ease. Incorporating functional exercises into your routine can help improve your balance, coordination, and posture. It can also help prevent back pain and other injuries.<\/span><\/p>\n\n    <section class=\"ad-single-wrapper\">\n        <div class=\"ad-single-text ad-title-wrapper\">\n            <h3 class=\"ad-single-title\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Get_your_personalized\"><\/span>Get your personalized<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n            <span class=\"ad-single-sub-title color-green\">\n                <svg class=\"icon-sparkle\" width=\"36\" height=\"21\" viewBox=\"0 0 36 21\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                    <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\"\n                          d=\"M34.6837 0.515943C34.8247 0.835947 34.9421 1.16291 34.9891 1.48987C35.1417 2.64466 35.3179 6.51949 35.2592 7.29863C35.2592 7.53515 35.1887 7.7995 35.0243 8.01516C34.7307 8.39777 33.9791 8.4256 33.5681 8.07081C33.4154 7.94559 33.3215 7.77863 33.2745 7.61863C33.1453 7.15254 33.0396 6.68645 32.9809 6.22035C32.8165 4.81512 32.6638 3.40293 32.5581 1.9977C32.5229 1.53161 32.6051 1.05856 32.6991 0.592466C32.7695 0.244637 33.251 -0.0197144 33.6973 0.00115537C34.2257 0.0289818 34.5546 0.230723 34.6837 0.515943ZM18.6184 9.78225C18.5734 9.67557 18.5344 9.57528 18.4971 9.47956C18.4178 9.27568 18.3465 9.09257 18.2426 8.91267C16.7159 6.24133 14.2615 3.86217 11.4665 1.60128C11.1377 1.33693 10.7267 1.08649 10.2687 0.919531C10.0221 0.829095 9.52885 0.843009 9.247 0.933445C9.03562 1.00301 8.88295 1.27432 8.92992 1.42736C9.01213 1.71954 9.18828 2.01868 9.4349 2.28303C11.0555 4.02913 12.6879 5.76829 14.3437 7.50048C14.8308 8.0068 15.3395 8.50887 15.8473 9.01L15.8473 9.01001C15.9883 9.14921 16.1293 9.28833 16.2697 9.42746C16.4811 9.64311 16.7159 9.85181 16.9626 10.0466C17.2327 10.2692 17.6437 10.4014 18.0547 10.2553C18.0691 10.2501 18.0836 10.245 18.0981 10.2399C18.1097 10.2358 18.1213 10.2318 18.1329 10.2278C18.3785 10.1424 18.6184 10.0589 18.6184 9.78225ZM1.98942 20.1407C2.17783 20.1221 2.37674 20.105 2.58175 20.0875C2.99012 20.0525 3.42272 20.0154 3.84492 19.9598C6.34632 19.6259 8.84771 19.292 11.3374 18.9442C11.8776 18.8676 12.406 18.7355 12.8875 18.5824C13.5334 18.3807 13.7566 18.0954 13.6509 17.7824C13.5452 17.4694 13.1224 17.2746 12.3826 17.2676C11.8776 17.2607 11.3374 17.2676 10.8559 17.3372C7.69683 17.8102 4.5378 18.2972 1.3905 18.7911C1.03819 18.8468 0.674137 18.9442 0.404034 19.0833C-0.2771 19.4242 -0.065712 19.9598 0.803314 20.092C1.01858 20.1228 1.25262 20.1258 1.51135 20.1291C1.66195 20.131 1.82092 20.133 1.98942 20.1407Z\"\n                          fill=\"#17B991\"\/>\n                <\/svg>\n               meal plan!\n            <\/span>\n        <\/div>\n    \n        <div class=\"ad-single-text ad-desc-wrapper\">\n            <p class=\"ad-single-desc\">What's your main health goal?<\/p>\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2361&utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Functional_Fitness\" class=\"btn-ad btn-green\">Lose weight<\/a>\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2361&utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Functional_Fitness\" class=\"btn-ad btn-green\">Feel great<\/a>\n        <\/div>\n        <img class=\"ad-single-img\" alt=\"health-food\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"395\" height=\"383\" src=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/themes\/gridlove-child\/assets\/img\/ad\/health-food.webp\">\n    <\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Doing everyday tasks like carrying groceries or climbing stairs shouldn&#8217;t be hard. But with a busy lifestyle and many hours spent seated at a desk, these simple activities can become difficult. This is where functional fitness comes in. Functional fitness is a type of exercise that helps you improve your everyday movement patterns. It does [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":43907,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[49],"tags":[],"coauthors":[117],"class_list":["post-43906","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-betterme-fitness"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v20.2.1 (Yoast SEO v25.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Functional Fitness: What It Is And Why You Need To Practice It - BetterMe<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"\u2605 FUNCTIONAL FITNESS \u27a4 is a type of training that focuses on improving your ability to perform everyday tasks. Find out more about functional fitness here!\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/functional-fitness\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Functional Fitness: What It Is And Why You Need To Practice It\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"\u2605 FUNCTIONAL FITNESS \u27a4 is a type of training that focuses on improving your ability to perform everyday tasks. Find out more about functional fitness here!\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/functional-fitness\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"BetterMe Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/betterme.health.coaching\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:author\" content=\"#\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-12-16T08:35:01+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/shutterstock_1981554137.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1000\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"667\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"ZindzyGracia\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@betterme\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@betterme\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"ZindzyGracia\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"11 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/functional-fitness\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/functional-fitness\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"BetterMe\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/#\/schema\/person\/f17673def6e76d2649ffa32b13f712e3\"},\"headline\":\"Functional Fitness: What It Is And Why You Need To Practice It\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-12-16T08:35:01+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/functional-fitness\/\"},\"wordCount\":2077,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/functional-fitness\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/shutterstock_1981554137.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"Fitness\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"articleBody\":\"<span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Doing everyday tasks like carrying groceries or climbing stairs shouldn't be hard. But with a busy lifestyle and many hours spent seated at a desk, these simple activities can become difficult. This is where functional fitness comes in. <\/span><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Functional fitness is a type of exercise that helps you improve your everyday movement patterns. It does this by working on your flexibility, strength, balance, and coordination (<\/span><a href=\\\"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fphys.2021.738878\/full#:~:text=The%20main%20findings%20indicated%20that,and%20muscular%20endurance)%20among%20athletes.\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">2<\/span><\/a><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">). The goal of functional fitness is to make your body more efficient at performing daily tasks. <\/span><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">While functional fitness can be beneficial for everyone, it is especially important for older adults. As we age, our bodies become less able to do the things we take for granted. This can lead to a decline in our overall health and <a href=\\\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/mental-fitness\/\\\">quality of life<\/a>. <\/span><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Curious how functional fitness can help you? Keep reading to learn more about what functional fitness is and the benefits it offers.<\/span>\\r\\n\\r\\n\\r\\n<h2 style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><b>What Are The Four Types Of Fitness?<\/b><\/h2>\\r\\n<span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">There four main types of physical activity are (<\/span><a href=\\\"https:\/\/www.nia.nih.gov\/health\/four-types-exercise-can-improve-your-health-and-physical-ability#:~:text=Research%20has%20shown%20that%20it's,strength%2C%20balance%2C%20and%20flexibility.\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">4<\/span><\/a><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">):<\/span>\\r\\n<ul>\\r\\n \\t<li style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\" aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><b>Aerobic: <\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">This type of activity requires oxygen and works your heart and lungs. 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But with a busy lifestyle and many hours spent seated at a desk, these simple activities can become difficult. This is where functional fitness comes in. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Functional fitness is a type of exercise that helps you improve your everyday movement patterns. It does this by working on your flexibility, strength, balance, and coordination (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fphys.2021.738878\/full#:~:text=The%20main%20findings%20indicated%20that,and%20muscular%20endurance)%20among%20athletes.\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). The goal of functional fitness is to make your body more efficient at performing daily tasks. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While functional fitness can be beneficial for everyone, it is especially important for older adults. As we age, our bodies become less able to do the things we take for granted. This can lead to a decline in our overall health and <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/mental-fitness\/\">quality of life<\/a>. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Curious how functional fitness can help you? Keep reading to learn more about what functional fitness is and the benefits it offers.<\/span>\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>What Are The Four Types Of Fitness?<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There four main types of physical activity are (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nia.nih.gov\/health\/four-types-exercise-can-improve-your-health-and-physical-ability#:~:text=Research%20has%20shown%20that%20it's,strength%2C%20balance%2C%20and%20flexibility.\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">):<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Aerobic: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This type of activity requires oxygen and works your heart and lungs. 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