Functional Training The #1 Calorie Cruncher!

By Jose Fuentes/Master Trainer/Copywriter/Nutritionist/SCS Functional training maximizes your calorie expenditure in less time when compared to isolated machine and body part training. Because you are moving multiple body parts in different directions, you are also increasing your calorie expenditure. Functional strength training also increases lean muscle mass, which naturally burns fat. In addition to that functional strength training involves getting your body to move in many different directions, paths of motion (front and back, side to side and rotation) and moving multiple body parts together. Therefore, it is no limit to what you can do in functional training because it is only limited by your ability to move and your creativity. Functional strength training works your entire body, allowing you to burn more calories at higher intensities.Our bodies go through a variety of motions every day Lifting: Laundry basket, grocery bags, kids, etc. Reaching and pulling: Opening the refrigerator or dryer, putting dishes away or picking things up from the floor Power: Standing up from chair, going up stairs or walking up a hill Balancing: Walking, holding multiple bags of groceries while carefully navigating the stairs or carrying a baby while talking on the phone and cooking dinner Combinations of the above Functional Exercises And Benefits Functional strength training helps you to move more fluidly and be able to use your entire body to perform feats of strength, such as squatting, lunging and lifting. It also teaches you to move and stabilize your core properly, which maintains your balance and posture, and provides the source of strength and power. You also learn how to transfer energy from one body part to another body part. To get better at these daily movements, strength training is a must and there are four functional exercises that will help you get the most out of your body. Performing these several times a week will enable you to do more with less effort and more confidence. You can do them anywhere, anytime: Push-ups: Start with wall push-ups and progress to placing your hands on the kitchen counter. You can do 5-6 while waiting for the microwave to finish. These firm your chest, arms, abs and back. Squats or lunges: Most reaching, lifting and bending movements involve an element of squatting or lunging. Remember to push out your tush and don't let your knees go farther forward than your toes. You'll strengthen your knees, quads and hips. Grocery Bag Lift: Each time you go shopping strengthen your arms by lifting a bag 6 times to the front, side and rear. You can also do a modified bicep curl. Just remember to keep your shoulders back and abs tight while working your arms. Lift: Pick-up that heavy pet food bag or laundry basket by squaring your feet shoulder width apart, squatting down, grabbing hold and pushing up with your legs. Put it down and do it again. If your knees hurt, practice lifting from a chair until you get stronger.