Functional Training hits Rye! Is it worth all the hype? A new craze sweeping the Freedom leisure centres across our county?
Actually no. Functional Training, was born in the late 1990’s within the rehabilitation world by physiotherapists for their patients and clients, initially bringing the muscle and the internal organs of the upper body back up to normal levels of fitness. Strength and conditioning was also crossing into the environment of the fitness mainstream in the athletic world at this time, for example, footballers would use the combination of the two practices to improve body performance when playing, rather than just kicking a ball around when training.
The definition of functional training is the mimicking of daily movements allowing individuals to carry out everyday activities better, including sport. Performing day to day exercises and movements, with typical equipment such as kettlebells, free weights, medicine balls and power bags enhances the body’s performance. The benefits should be felt almost immediately, especially for those who spend a lot of their time during the day sitting at a desk or behind a steering wheel.
This workout gets you moving. Bad posture is addressed, along with any muscular imbalances and metabolism rates should be increased, which can lead to the reduction of fat levels. Mental improvement should not be underestimated, the stimulus of doing something new with dynamic tasks keeping the mind fresh and engaged. The coaches will advise what exercises are best suited on an individual basis, tailored to need. Once a fitness programme has been personalised and goals given to work to, it can be carried on in a more affordable way by doing it solo in a gym or studio. This popular fitness programme is now available at the Rye Sports Centre.
Like most things in life, however, it must be kept up, you only get out what you put in!
Photo: Micky Day
Photo: Micky Day