Our functional training categories at a glance
You're not sure which equipment is the right one?
Read our sales advisor and find out all about functional training. In addition to exercises, training tips and product recommendations, you will also find suitable training plans for your level.
Index
Chapter 1
What is Functional Training?
Movements that only use a single muscle in isolation are considered to be non-functional. Functional forms of movement always integrate several muscles and muscle groups simultaneously.- Michael Boyle
Functional training means that several muscles or muscle groups are trained simultaneously in one movement. This contrasts with traditional strength training, in which a large part of the exercises are often performed on machines and muscles or muscle groups are trained in isolation
Since human movements in everyday sports are almost never restricted to just one joint or muscle, it is advisable not only to target a specific muscle group but to train entire muscle chains consisting of numerous muscles as a whole. This is exactly where the considerations of the American physiotherapist Gary Gray come into play.
Functional training is all in one.
In contrast to regular strength training, or cardio training, functional training deliberately selects exercises from different training areas, because it is a cross-sport form of training that gives you the freedom to achieve your training goals.
When is Functional Training right for you?
In conclusion, Functional Training is exactly right for you when:
- You are looking for a form of training that is tailored to your needs and crosses all sports.
- You want to make your training effective and varied.
- You want to train independent of location and equipment.
- You want to improve your performance in everyday life or in your sport.
Where does Functional Training come from and what is its goal? You will find all of that in our second chapter.
Have fun reading!
Originally, functional training was used in the rehabilitation of patients. Functional training became known in Germany mainly through the cooperation of Jürgen Klinsmann and the American fitness trainer Mark Verstegen. During the preparation phase for the 2006 World Cup, the new training methods could be discovered for the first time. The results speak for themselves today, at the latest after winning the World Cup in 2014.
In competitive sports, functional training can also be used to prevent injuries. Specific strength and balance are developed, which are necessary to be protected as well as possible against injuries in extreme stress situations. In recent years, functional training has clearly gained in importance in the fitness industry. Even in popular and recreational sports, various training approaches are becoming increasingly popular.
What goals can you typically achieve through functional training?
Here is a small list:
- Performance maintenance
- Power recovery
- Increase of the hull strength
- Improvement of balance
- Flexibility
- Stabilization in general and of joints
- Coordination and economization of movements
What equipment and if you need any for your training depends entirely on your exercises. We will give you a small selection.
In Functional Training there are only a few rules, so whether your training takes place indoors or outdoors, at home or in the gym is entirely up to you. When choosing the exercises, however, you should make sure that strength, speed, balance, stability, flexibility and endurance are promoted. For a start we recommend the following products:
- Kettlebells
- TRX sling trainer
- Dumbbells
- Coordination Managers
- Sandbags
- Training Ropes
- Minibands
- Superbands
- Blackroll
- Equalizer
- Sand Bells
- Assault Air Bike
- Medicine balls
Chapter 4
Conclusion
Functional training is suitable for every athlete, super varied and intensive - in every training unit. What are you waiting for?
When is Functional Training the right thing for you?
In conclusion, Functional Training is exactly right for you when:
- You are looking for a form of training that is tailored to your needs and crosses all sports.
- You want to make your training effective and varied.
- You want to train independent of location and equipment.
- You want to improve your performance in everyday life or in your sport.
Our Book Recommendations
You want to get started? Besides the training itself, it never hurts to get enough knowledge and inspiration. Here are a few books that we would like to recommend to you:
