How functional exercise can transform your quality of life
Functional exercise refers to physical activity that trains your muscles to work together and trains them for daily tasks by simulating every-day movements. This type of training is very useful for older adults, people with disabilities and anyone recovering from injury or illness as it improves the way you move in real life.
Example exercises include squats to help strengthen the muscles needed to sit up and down; lunges for walking and climbing stairs; and kettle bell exercises to develop core strength. The equipment we’ll use includes dumbbells, kettle bells, medicine balls, battle ropes, boxing gloves and pads.
Functional exercise is an important and highly effective way to stay active and to help prevent falls and injuries in later life which, in turn, reduces the risk of social isolation and low self-esteem.
When done regularly, my functional exercise programmes support and enable activities in daily living (ADL) – like getting in and out of the bath or bed, being able to climb in and out of your car, carrying your shopping, gardening or walking your dog.
What is functional exercise?
Before we begin working together, we will discuss your requirements. At this stage, I can visit you at home, if required, to undertake functional capability assessments so that we can develop the most appropriate strength and endurance exercises to restore and maintain your mobility and independence. I won’t push you further than you’re able to go, and the exercises we do together will feel achievable but effective.
Some of my clients want to improve their balance, strength and flexibility, while others want to protect their heart health or prevent falls when they’re older.
I can devise a personal training programme to support rehabilitation after surgery, based on your hospital discharge plan. Following assessment of your current abilities, I will develop a programme that focuses on specific movement patterns, and help you get back to your usual daily tasks and activities.
I can also help you to interpret the exercises your physiotherapist or hospital team has suggested you do, and I can liaise with them, where appropriate, to adapt those to match your typical daily activities.
Establishing your requirements
Using your personal motivations to inspire exercise
Exercise is more effective when you enjoy it. So, I will talk to you about your passions and motivations and, where appropriate, we can incorporate these into your training programme. For example, music can be a great motivator for many of my clients.
Reviewing your fitness progress
When we start working together, I will write a functional exercise plan for you and that plan will be monitored after every training session.
As your training journey progresses, we will regularly review your progress together. That way, I can adapt your exercise routine to focus on areas of concern, or to respond to changes in your lifestyle or your overall wellbeing.
I will also be responsive to your emotional health, so that your training programme can be adapted to how you feel mentally as well as physically.
The exercises we do together will always be focused on you.
If you think you would benefit from functional exercise, or you’re looking to organise a group fitness session for elderly adults or people with learning disabilities, please get in touch