Functional Fitness classes combine aerobic conditioning, strength training, core conditioning and flexibility exercises. The emphasis is on creating a core fitness that can easily translate into daily activities and other sports. The exercises build upon each other class after class. Different formats are presented that assist in achieving all-around fitness. Exercises are shown at different skill levels so each person can work to their own individual competency.
This class is geared towards people who want to get in shape in the least amount of time. It is designed to be rigorous and challenging. Participants who come in three times per week will start seeing results in a couple of weeks.
This is the only class in the Jefferson Park and Portage Park neighborhoods that offers personalized attention and a consistent push towards achieving results.
Health Benefits Of Functional Fitness Training
Functional fitness training focuses on training the body to move efficiently and optimally when performing normal body movements. For example, doing seated crunches will strengthen the abdominals, but will crunches alone help the abdominals learn how to stabilize the core if you were standing and kicking a ball? Functional training takes these questions into account and consists not only of building static strength and flexibility, but developing dynamic strength and flexibility and the stamina one needs to perform dynamically. It takes into account that most natural movement is integrated and involves a number of muscle groups and numerous nervous system requirements.
Proprioception is the mechanism in which the body takes in stimulus from its environment and makes appropriate adjustments as it is moving to perform efficiently and prevent injury. Functional fitness training helps to train proprioception.
Functional fitness classes will help to correct your body's alignment. It will enhance your range of movement not only forward, but backwards and sideways. You will learn to move your body's center of gravity with ease and without injury. You'll perform simple pushing and pulling movements better and will work on building and rotating the body's core for economic and powerful movement.
This type of dynamic movement also requires the participant to be fully attentive while participating. Full attention while moving integrates the mind with the body thereby calming the mind. When the mind is calm emotions stabilize also. This entire process makes one aware of the changes taking place in the body while exercising which carries over into more body awareness in general.
