Functional movement is a term that has been getting a lot of attention lately. So what is functional movement? What does it mean, and how can it help our mind and body? In this post, we will explain what functional movement is and how to make sure you are moving functionally.
What is Functional Movement?
Functional movement is the ability to move freely and effectively through a full range of motion without pain or injury. In other words, it’s the ability to move with control, stability, and mobility. It’s is a key component of health and fitness, as it can help prevent injury, improve endurance, and even burn calories.
Why is Functional Movement Important?
Functional movement is important because it’s the key to unlocking your body’s natural ability to heal itself. For example, after performing a strenuous workout, functional movement can help you recover quicker than if you hadn’t incorporated it into your day-to-day activities.
Additionally, functional movement is the way the body performs the basic tasks of daily life, including lifting, pushing, pulling, bending, reaching, squatting, lunging, and more. It’s what allows us to thrive and achieve our optimal level of health. Now, let’s take a look at some functional movement exercises you can use to unlock your body’s full potential.
List of Functional Movement Exercises
Functional movement is a variety of exercises used to improve the functionality of joints and muscles. It is based upon the concept that proper human movement can be achieved through weight-bearing exercise and natural body movements. Here are some common functional movement exercises you can perform at home or in the gym.
- Lunges
- Squats
- Deadlifts
- Push-Ups
- Walking
- Resistance Band Pulls
While we are a pilates studio, functional movement is a universal concept for exercise. Check out how this MMA athlete uses functional movement to help him meet his fitness goals: The 6 Fundamental Movement Patterns
Functional Movement & You
Our hope is that your main takeaway from this article is that functional movement is the foundation of health. It is the ability to perform everyday tasks: core work, mobility exercises, and other practices are functional movements. They help us move freely and keep us pain-free. When we do not perform these functional movements, our bodies tend to break down. Doing things outside of our realm of normal mobility can lead to pain, muscle imbalances, and even injury.
At Body IQ Wellness Studio, we help you meet your wellness goals through functional movement exercise. Connect with us to get started!
