What is functional fitness training?

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Functional fitness relies on natural body movements such as squats, multi-directional lunges, pushing, and pulling (often holding a weight) to strengthen upper and lower body muscles and stretch limbs. The aim is to improve your quality of life based on your personal abilities and goals.

Many functional fitness classes are done in a circuits with a trainer. You may have engaged in functional fitness before in a workout without necessarily realizing it—equipment like dumbbells, kettlebells, ropes, and medicine balls are used in a series of low-intensity moves, each one focused on a different muscle group, and easily work as functional movements.