Thea Bennett went to functional exercise after years of desk job and constant back pain; it changed her life. “I wanted to feel strong doing ordinary things like carrying groceries or playing with my kids,” she says. “Not just look good.”
Squatting, lifting, pushing, pulling, and spinning are among the activities that functional fitness emphasizes as replicas of real-life movement patterns. Strength, coordination, and stability developed at the gym should find application elsewhere.
Certified trainer Marcus Ellis advises thinking of it as lifetime training. “It supports general health, fixes posture, and helps prevent injuries.”
Some of Thea’s favorite functional movements include:
Goblet Squats: strengthen the legs and core while mimicking the motion of picking something up from the ground.
Farmer’s Carries: walking while holding weights in each hand builds grip strength, core stability, and endurance.
Kettlebell Swings: train explosive hip power and strengthen the posterior chain.
Step-Ups: useful for improving balance and lower body strength, especially for stairs or uneven terrain.
Push-Ups and Rows: build upper body strength and core engagement.
Six months of constant training brought noticeable changes for Thea. “I had more energy, better posture, and no more back pain,” she notes. I felt strong in ways that counted.
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The finest feature of functional fitness? For every age or level, it is scalable. Thea points out, “You don’t need fancy equipment or a gym membership.” You only have to move with intent.
