What Is Movement Training?

If you walked into a gym today, you’d see rows of machines created for exercising one muscle at a time. Unlike the typical workouts, you may be familiar with, movement training focuses on strengthening various muscle groups at once instead of one muscle at a time. Movement training, also known as functional movement training, helps you develop muscle strength, coordination, and neuromuscular control. As a result, your body learns to move as a unit, enhancing your performance and overall well-being.

As the leading physical therapy center in Colorado Springs, Backcountry Physical Therapy is dedicated to helping you learn how to take better physical care of yourself so your body functions optimally for years to come. It’s important to integrate movement training into your routine to help your body become stronger in a way that will benefit you the most. Keep reading to learn more about movement training and its benefits.

Benefits Of Functional Movement Training

Functional movement training is unique because it’s an exercise that has the intention of improving your ability to perform everyday physical activities. Functional training is becoming more popular in the fitness industry; think of classes like Pilates and CrossFit which move multiple areas of the body at once. Physical therapists often use this form of training when their clients are in the process of rehabilitation.

When practicing functional movement training, you’ll most likely perform weight-bearing activities that focus on your abdomen and lower back while strengthening your core muscles. Functional training doesn’t involve complex movements and can be achieved by anyone, regardless of their training experience. Some of the benefits of movement training include:

• Improve Athletic Performance
• Increase Flexibility
• Enhance Posture
• Increase Range Of Motion
• Reduce Stress
• Burn Fat
• Recover Quicker
• Enhance Endurance

Where Did Functional Training Originate?

Functional training first appeared in rehabilitation professions, which explains why it’s such a goal-oriented strength training program. After undergoing surgery, many patients are instructed to complete functional training to help improve healing and mobility. Individuals are tasked to exercise using motions that mimic the movements they’d use at home or work. That way, as the individual recovers, they’re able to get back to their life as quickly as possible.

What Are Examples Of Functional Training?

Chances are you’ve exercised using functional training methods and didn’t realize it. Functional training develops muscles used for movements such as twisting, lifting, pushing, bending, and squatting. Some examples of functional training workouts include:

• Pull-Up
• Jump Squat
• Crab Crawl
• Deadlift
• Jumping Jacks
• Walking Lunges
• Farmer’s Walk
• Sled Pull/Push

What Is At The Core Of Functional Workouts?

Your functional workout program will vary depending on your goals, physical abilities, and strength. The most important things to focus on when creating a program include:

1. Be consistent, but also add difficulty over time.
2. Have the workouts strengthen parts of your body that are useful for everyday life.
3. Consider any past or current injuries.
4. Choose movements/workouts that focus on your core, stability, balance, coordination, and mobility.

Should I Try Functional Training?

The capabilities of your body can be improved when you safely and effectively participate in a functional training program. Because the exercises involved in this type of training typically only involve your body weight, it’s an extremely affordable way for you to improve your physical health. Unlike many exercises, functional training focuses on the quality of your performance instead of your strength capabilities. So, if you’re interested in a movement program that doesn’t take a lot of equipment or money and will help you in your everyday life, consider functional training!