It's no secret that Functional Fitness athletes have their own language. So here at AMRAP Antics we have created a full A to Z of functional fitness jargon!
A - Agility: The ability to change direction quickly and efficiently.
B - Bodyweight exercises: Exercises that use your own body weight as resistance, such as push-ups and squats.
C - Core: The group of muscles that run along the midsection of your body, including the abdominals, obliques, and lower back.
D - Deadlift: A compound exercise that works the legs, back, and core, and involves picking up a weight from the ground.
E - Endurance: The ability to perform physical activity for a prolonged period of time.
F - Flexibility: The range of motion in a joint or group of joints.
G - Gymnastics: A form of functional fitness that includes exercises such as handstands and pull-ups.
H - HIIT: High-intensity interval training, a type of cardiovascular exercise that alternates short bursts of intense activity with periods of rest.
I - Interval Training: Alternating between different types of exercise, such as cardio and strength training, to improve overall fitness.
J - Jumping: Plyometric exercises, such as jumping jacks, that improve explosive power and cardiovascular fitness.
K - Kettlebells: A type of weight training equipment that can be used for a variety of exercises, including swings and snatches.
L - Lunges: A leg exercise that involves stepping forward and lowering your body until your thigh is parallel to the ground.
M - Medicine ball: A weighted ball used for a variety of exercises, including throws and slams.
N - Nutrition: A balanced diet that provides the body with the necessary nutrients to fuel workouts and support recovery.
O - Olympic weightlifting: A form of weightlifting that includes exercises such as the snatch and clean and jerk.
P - Plyometrics: Jumping exercises that improve explosive power and cardiovascular fitness.
Q - Quality of movement: Proper form and technique in exercises to reduce the risk of injury and improve effectiveness.
R - Recovery: Rest and recovery time necessary for the body to repair and adapt to the stress of exercise.
S - Squat: A compound exercise that works the legs, back, and core, and involves sitting down and standing up with a weight.
T - Tabata: A type of HIIT training that involves 20 seconds of intense activity followed by 10 seconds of rest, repeated for a total of 4 minutes.
U - Upper body: The group of muscles that make up the upper half of the body, including the chest, shoulders, back, and arms.
V - Variety: Incorporating different types of exercises and movements to challenge the body and prevent boredom.
W - Warm-up: A series of exercises that prepare the body for a workout by increasing blood flow and raising body temperature.
X - eXplosive power: The ability to generate maximum force in a short period of time.
Y - Yoga: A form of exercise that focuses on flexibility, balance, and mindfulness.
Z - Zumba: A type of dance fitness class that combines Latin and international music with high-energy movements.
These are some examples of functional fitness terms that might come handy. However, it is important to consult with a qualified personal trainer or fitness professional to ensure that you're performing exercises correctly and safely, that way you can achieve your goals efficiently.
Functional Fitness is Growing
Functional fitness is growing in popularity because it focuses on exercises that mimic real-life movements and improve overall fitness, rather than isolating specific muscle groups. The idea behind functional fitness is that exercises should be functional, meaning they should have a direct carryover to activities and movements performed in daily life.
One of the main reasons functional fitness is growing in popularity is that it improves overall fitness, strength, flexibility and coordination. The exercises are designed to be multi-joint and multidimensional, this allows the improvement in multiple areas of fitness, not only making you stronger but also more agile and better balanced. Many functional exercises use bodyweight, allowing you to perform exercises anywhere with no equipment, in addition to being able to use equipment like kettlebells, medicine balls and resistance bands.
Another reason for its popularity is its flexibility, functional fitness can be done by people of all ages, fitness levels, and abilities. It also can be modified to suit different fitness levels, making it a suitable option for beginners and advanced athletes alike.
Functional fitness also promotes a strong emphasis on proper form and technique, this promotes a lower risk of injury, especially when compared to traditional weightlifting. This is especially beneficial for older adults and people recovering from injuries who want to improve their overall fitness without putting unnecessary stress on their bodies.
Additionally, functional fitness is highly adaptable and can be done in a variety of settings, whether it be in a gym, at home, or even outside. This allows for a great deal of flexibility and variety in training, making it less likely for people to get bored and drop off from their fitness routine.
Lastly, functional fitness is growing in popularity due to the growing trend of people looking for a more holistic approach to fitness. The emphasis on proper movement and overall health, rather than just aesthetics, aligns with the growing focus on overall well-being.
Functional Fitness Conclusion
In conclusion, functional fitness is growing in popularity because it focuses on exercises that mimic real-life movements and improves overall fitness, it's adaptable to a wide range of ages, fitness levels and abilities, promotes proper form and technique, adaptable to different settings and locations, and aligns with the growing trend of people looking for a holistic approach to fitness. It can be a suitable option for people looking for a challenging and varied workout, without sacrificing safety and overall health.
