WHAT IS FUNCTIONAL FITNESS? Functional fitness integrates exercise programming with exercises that simulate everyday activities without exposing the individual to unnecessary risk. Functional fitness defines an individual's ability to meet the demands of basic activities of daily living (ADLs). This type of exercise programming addresses the practical aspects of exercise. Many exercise participants strive to have more endurance to tackle a flight of stairs versus sculpting a six-pack. The parameters of functional fitness include mobility, self-care, independence with household/life management tasks and physical activities associated with improving quality of life. Examples of mobility functions include standing, walking and rising from a sitting to standing position as wells the reverse. Self-care entails activities such as bathing, toileting, grooming and eating. Life management or functional level consists of driving, shopping, cooking and household maintenance.  Activities that classify as life enhancement activities are recreational activities, playing with kids or grandkids and traveling. Appropriate functional fitness programming can prevent, offset or decrease the severity in functional and physical performance. This could lead to preventing falls which would be a priceless outcome. The objective of functional fitness training is to simulate real life activities. Training is specific so the exercises chosen should reflect the specificity of the tasks. These exercises should complement the general exercise program. Upon clearance from a physician or health care provider try the following exercises to put function into an exercise program. Try gentle neck rotations going side to side in a forward and not a backward direction Perform upper body exercises using the arms, hands and trunk to lift, reach, turn, pull and push Simulate stairclimbing using a step or bench platform. Support can be used for the upper body if necessary. Try sit to stand activities by moving from a seated position to a standing position repeatedly Try squats within tolerance (partial squats can replace a half squat) Do exercises for the lower body for strengthening like calf raises Try balance exercises Engage in a walking program or walking activities Incorporating functional exercise into your current exercise program will give you just the boost you need to tackle steps in a single bound, lift your grandkids all day long and end your day feeling less fatigued with greater productivity. Not only will you reap the aesthetic rewards from your exercise program but you will improve your ability to remain independent in carrying out your activities of daily living and fight off risk factors associated with many diseases.  Please Also Read: How to Beat the Holiday Bulge What is Post Rehabilitation Training?

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