How to Make Your Training More FUNCTIONAL - A Beginners Guide
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Published 2023-10-27
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In this video, I discuss the basics of functional fitness and how you can get started. I wanted to outline some basic steps that anyone could take to start making their training a little more functional. Here, I explain how to start functional training, by just adding a few different exercises and concepts to an existing program.
I also knew this might rustle some feathers! There are a lot of people out there who still think functional training is a "nothing" term and who take it as an attack on their chosen training style. It seems to imply that their training is not functional.
The typical argument goes that all training is functional, because all training makes you stronger. And that all exercise is functional, because every movement has a use for someone.
And that's not wrong! But it's not the individual exercises that make functional training. Rather, it's the goals. Just like you can be a bodybuilder using any selection of exercises; it's the goal that changes the programming and the approach.
How to start functional training for an athlete is different than how to start functional training for anyone else. For the layperson, it means being healthier and fitter for every day life. And that means maintaining a good balance of strength, endurance, mobility, etc.
Simply: if you are extremely strong but have no cardio at all, that's not terribly functional training. It's not wrong! If that's your goal, that's fine.
But in terms of serving you outside the gym, you could stand to improve your cardio. Same goes if you can't touch your toes.
So, to start functional training, simply look at what's missing from your training in terms of all-round fitness... and add it in.
It doesn't need to be complicated!
Hope you enjoy this one guys, let me know your thoughts :-)
All Comments (21)
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"If you clicked on this video which, let's be honest, you probably did". HOW DOES HE KNOW š¤Æš¤Æš¤Æ
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this is a life changer ... years ago I went from a Special Forces unit to a different special operations unit ... the first had great physical fitness programs (running, rucking, weights, kettles, etc.) ... when I got to the latter, joining the operators for physical training sessions was both confusing and shocking. They would almost randomly run around our training grounds, balancing on concrete wall tops, mounting over dumspters and containers ... just the most unorthodox thing I had ever seen. The pace was not fast at all. I instantly felt the most OUT of shape I had ever felt. Six months laters, I felt muscles I didn't even knew existed and my mobility had notably improved. Now this (Bioneer and this video) -- this is the context to help me put a lot more meaning and value to the way they approached fitness. For me, this is an exciting life changer!
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I've been HUMBLED by my lack of deep core stability, and this video couldn't come at a better time. It's shocking how unconscious we can be towards our imbalances and instabilities. High quality guidance as always, and I especially appreciated your points about rotational strength around 03:20 - been working at this since your side plank video a few weeks ago. Cheers!
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I really like your mix of philosophical discussion and technique videos. It keeps me motivated and interested. Keep up the great work. Youāre making this 59 year old Oregon boy live a better life. Thanks
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repping out incline one arm push ups like that is fucking insane.
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Yes because bench pressing is good to train for functional things but the bench press itself is not functional. It is rare if not impossible to ever find yourself at the top of the steps with your feet two or three steps below trying to push somebody off of you with your elbows below the floorboards. A floor press is more functional because it is realistic, just like hanging a barbell like you would rings and pressing that forward is more functional, just like pushing a sled. Zercher is more functional. OHP is more functional. Steinborn squats are more functional. Deadlifting a stone or keg is more functional, yet pulling a barbell is supplemental for the functional movements. Even squats can help you deadlift odd stones/logs/kegs. Good conversation, Adam!
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I Started functional training when I had severe sciatica which needed surgery. Did physiotherapy after my surgery to learn how to walk and realign my body. Then I discovered a plethora of other issues which needed addressing. I refer to this as my "Snag list" . I bought your book Functional Training and Beyond both as an audiobook and a physical book and adapted the material to my lifestyle and needs. Adaptive Training and Superfunctional Training 2.0 followed. Still working on my "Snag list". Your work has really helped. Thank you.
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At 61 it's a stretch ... im probably at around level 1 to 2 looking at what you perform here. However, my goal is increasing my overall fitness, thats why I'm here. I have improved during the last 18 months in most areas. Doing it also for avoiding lower back problems coming back. Thanks for the inspiration.
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The Bioneer is officially the only Brofessor I subscribe to from now on... Because so far, he is the best. I will buy his book when I can afford it, this is golden material.
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Itās a strange world we live in where functional training is some kind of niche hobby where as 3x10-ing a machine or sloppily PRing a deadlift for half a rep is normal
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I love this so much. My brother needed help to create a functional workout and I wasn't sure where to begin with him. Usually, for myself, I just made a program based on how I feel. This helps a lot. Thank you so much :)
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I can't wrap my head around this guy! He's living the dream and it costs him nothing
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Started āfunctional trainingā quite a few years ago. But just recently changed my routine to Georges Hebertās natural method, after discovering some imbalances on the left side of my body compared to my right. Also changed to it because I felt the best I ever had the last time I used it and it complements my martial arts training very well. It also allows me to get a lot more variety of movements in which helps keep things interesting for me.
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In my mid 40s and got back into seriously training just a little over 7 weeks ago after nearly 5 years off. And thanks to your highly informative channel, among a few others, I have totally switched and upped my training to concentrate solely on functional fitness, doing a combination of strength training, kettlebells, plyometrics, cycling, jogging, rucking, and mobility drills. And life in my middle aged years have gotten and continue to get better. Much thanks and much respect! š¤
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Thanks a lot,needed to hear all of this,im 40 now and got stuck on getting stronger in the gym and now starting to get shoulder and lower back pain+cardiovascular health is not as good so i need to incorporate all of the stuff you said,i work on a building site,so when i train in different planes and do cardio and core more,it feels great,but can slip back into to bodybuilding mentally to easy,thanks again,keep up all the good work mate ā¤
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That was very eye opening. We have the typical workout scenario implanted in our minds from a young age as we start watching movies and documentaries on people we admire that have dominated the big screen and who look like we want to look but we often don't think about the other important aspects that benefit our everyday lives. Thanks!
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Man you are the best! I love everything about this channel. I share the common interest of movement, performance, and psychology, so this channel is very helpful and entertaining. Keep up the good work.
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This is exactly what I needed. Thanks. Making the move to functional now
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Very well done mate.
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The first 15 seconds is ME to a tee! Love your channel, brother.
