Functional Intense Interval Training

The main word here is function. Function is purpose. So functional training is just training that has a purpose. That purpose can be related to getting better at everyday activities—like walking, squatting to pick up something heavy, pushing a revolving door, or getting in and out of a chair—or preparing to compete in a sport, like soccer, football, or tennis. A functional workout is simply one that strengthens you in a particular way that directly translates to an activity outside the weight room. For most people, the practical application of functional training is to make daily activities easier to perform.

A functional workout typically consists intense non-traditional cardio, mobility movements, and compound exercises like squats, push ups, deadlifts. Compound exercises require more than one muscle group to work together, like a squat, deadlift, lunge, or push-up. Because of that, they typically mimic everyday movement patterns—like pull, push, squat, hinge, rotation. A majority of functional training movements are multijoint, and a functional training program should incorporate movements in multiple planes. That means moving forward and backward, side to side, and incorporating rotational movements with various functional equipment like TRX, BOSU ball, Kettlebells, and more.

One great major benefit to functional training is that all WOD’s (workout of the day) can be designed and formatted to any fitness level, ability, and age. Entailed with modifications and customization to an individual’s goal. This is especially good for group trainings. Still providing a 1 on 1 experience. 

For the overall experience of functional training, many WOD’s will include the 10 Components of Fitness (accuracy, agility, balance, coordination, endurance, flexibility, power, speed, stamina, and strength) which covers the 2 types of training (organic and cerebral).