Rationale for Functional Training

Drawing a line in the sand-------------------------
   After reading this I hope you ask yourself “What am I expecting to get out of my training?”  When the topic of Functional vs. Traditional training comes up, opinions galore come out of the woodwork.  Here’s the scoop: Functional training involves using the knowledge of functional anatomy to select exercises that improve strength in muscles prone to weakness in attempt to reduce injury and improve performance. Functional exercises would include multi-joint movements, in fact the more joints the better, and might incorporate devices like Stability balls or BOSU trainers.
    Traditional training however is what sells on magazine covers, it’s all about training the large muscle groups… what bodybuilders are extremely good at…choosing exercises to isolate muscles in attempt to improve appearance while standing still.  Traditional exercises include single-joint exercises, machine exercises, etc.  So we must ask ourselves….”Am I training for function, or am I training to look good standing still?”  There is no right or wrong answer, but we must make sure our workouts match our intentions.
    I am among the group of people who wish to improve function and reduce injuries.  As renowned physical therapist and strength coach Gray Cook has said: "We cannot expect to train every muscle individually, and go to sleep at night expecting our body to mold it all together and wake up with coordinated movements.  If we tossed a bunch of letters on the wall, would we expect a sentence to appear?"  Our muscles do not work in isolation in everyday life, rather they synergistically work to create, stabilize, and control movement patterns ingrained in us from the time we first learned to walk, and our training should support this kind of function. 
   Check out the video above to learn more about functional training and share your thoughts about the 'functional training continuum'