All articles tagged with #functional fitness
Tom's Guide highlights a Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department fitness kit for older adults, outlining three safe, at‑home tests—sit-to-stand for lower-body strength, arm curls for upper-body strength, and sit-and-reach for hamstring flexibility—to help people 60 and older gauge functional fitness and track progress over time.
Aging isn’t about bigger muscles but functional strength: lift heavier (about 75% of max for 3–6 reps), train for speed and power, and include single-leg moves to preserve daily function; aim for ~20-minute sessions and use simple tests like sit-to-stand or grip to gauge progress, which helps prevent falls and supports longevity.
Performing four specific standing exercises—single-leg balance with reach, hip hinge to stand walk, standing half-squat with arm raise, and side step with knee lift—can significantly improve strength, balance, and functional movement in people over 60, making them fitter and more capable than many younger individuals.
Strong leg muscles, rather than BMI or weight, are key predictors of longevity and independence in aging, with research showing that leg strength impacts survival, brain health, and risk of falls. Regular strength training and functional tests like chair stands can help maintain muscle power and improve health outcomes as we age.
You can build muscle and functional strength effectively at home using just your bodyweight, with exercises like push-ups, squats, glute bridges, planks, lunges, superman holds, and wall sits, which target major muscle groups and can be scaled for all fitness levels.
Fitness expert Casey Gilbert explains the benefits of using weighted vests for enhancing workouts, including walking, running, hiking, and bodyweight exercises. Weighted vests help increase resistance and intensity without straining the arms, making them suitable for people with arm injuries or weaknesses. Gilbert advises starting with lighter weights and progressively adding more as strength improves, and suggests that weighted vests can benefit anyone, including older adults with mobility issues.
Fitness trainer Britany Williams has designed a 6-move dumbbell workout that targets core strength and full-body muscle building by incorporating compound exercises. The routine emphasizes functional movement patterns and core engagement, promoting overall strength and everyday functionality. By progressively increasing the workout's intensity, duration, or frequency, individuals can achieve improved performance and fitness through the concept of progressive overload.
Jennifer Aniston has swapped long cardio workouts for low-impact resistance training with the functional fitness method Pvolve. Aniston's trainer, Dani Coleman, praises her dedication and emphasizes the importance of sustainable and challenging workouts. Pvolve's workouts focus on moving the body in all directions and incorporate strength building, cardiovascular work, mobility, and stability. Aniston has learned that an effective workout doesn't have to be grueling and believes she is in the best shape of her life.
Functional fitness, which focuses on building overall physical capability, is gaining popularity as an effective exercise approach for maintaining mobility and readiness as one ages. While there is no specific list of movements or workouts that define functional fitness, any exercise that improves strength, cardio, agility, and flexibility can be considered functional. Combining different types of exercise, such as strength training and cardio, can have a greater impact on overall fitness. While functional fitness exercise programs like CrossFit, Hyrox, and F45 are one way to achieve functional fitness, other sports and activities can also contribute to becoming functionally fit. Ultimately, the key to reaping the benefits of functional fitness lies in consistent exercise that is enjoyable and fits into one's daily routine.
Incorporating barbell exercises into your core routine can take your abdominal development to the next level. The article highlights three effective barbell exercises for a strong core and sculpted abs: overhead squats, barbell rollouts, and barbell deadlifts. These exercises engage multiple muscle groups, enhance core stability, improve mobility and flexibility, and promote functional strength. Proper form, gradual progression, and consistency are key to achieving optimal results. Additionally, a balanced diet is crucial for fueling the body and supporting muscle development and fat loss.
Building visible abdominal muscles requires focusing on overall body fat percentage rather than endless crunches. This article provides a workout consisting of five standing or kneeling ab exercises that can help build functional fitness. The exercises include overhead march, around the worlds, goblet march, kneeling chop, and bear pull through. These exercises target the core muscles and provide benefits such as supporting and protecting internal organs, maintaining posture, and stabilizing the pelvis and spine. Standing or kneeling ab workouts also mimic functional movements in daily life.
Jennifer Aniston has joined Pvolve, a home workout brand that focuses on "functional fitness" workouts and equipment. Aniston prefers low-impact workouts that leave her feeling energized and not in pain. She believes that the mental piece of the mind-body connection is often overlooked in the fitness industry. Aniston prefers working out with friends and listening to music, including Lizzo and '90s hip-hop.