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Writer's pictureAndrew Jones

What Is Functional Fitness

Updated: May 23

A relief depicting Greeks wrestling

ORIGINS OF FUNCTIONAL FITNESS TRAINING


Functional fitness first emerged in the 1980s, initially in the fields of rehabilitation and sports performance. It gained popularity among physical and occupational therapists, as well as chiropractors, who found it effective in retraining patients with movement disorders. So you're telling me that functional fitness was developed in the 1980's?


No, functional fitness first emerged in the 1980's by doctors. Little do people know, the most recognizable and well-known history for functional fitness training was immersed by Ancient Greek texts shed light on how people lived as hunters, soldiers, farmers, and regular folks. They realized that exercising made them better at their jobs and daily living, so they applied functional fitness to their everyday life. Functional training wasn't just limited to the Ancient Greeks; it was also prevalent in the Western world, including Ancient Egypt, as well as in the Far East, specifically India and China. Centuries later, functional fitness faded into the background with the rise of bodybuilding and powerlifting. However, it resurfaced and gained traction in the health mainstream in 1980, and is booming in the 21st century.



WHAT IS FUNCTIONAL FITNESS TRAINING?


Functional fitness training involves exercises that mimic movements performed in everyday life or specific sports activities. These exercises typically engage multiple muscle groups and joints simultaneously, emphasizing coordination, balance, strength, and flexibility. The goal of functional fitness training is to improve overall functionality and performance in daily tasks, as well as enhance athletic performance and reduce the risk of injury.


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