Functional Training vs. Weight Training

Functional training originated as a form of injury rehabilitation with exercises that are relevant to the movements of everyday life. Many traditional workout programs limit performance in specific hobbies, sports or daily movements, but functional fitness develops basic motor patterns to work at a higher capacity. Each functional exercise uses complete muscle activation and a purposeful movement pattern which allows for maximum strength gains.

Traditional weight training often only works one muscle at a time which is contradictory to the normal coordinated effort used to complete most activities. This type of training is more likely to lead to overuse injuries, muscular imbalances, and limit movement and strength gains.

Traditional Weight Training	Functional Training
Focuses on one muscle at a time	Use of many muscles simultaneously
Seated or supported position	Need to stabilize self
Overuses forward/backward plane of motion	Uses all three planes of motion equally
Slow movement speeds for machine reps	Mirrors movement of every day life
Not related to movements of everyday life	Core muscles actively engaged
Resultsin tightening of muscles	Allows for maximum strength capacity
Un-chanllenging postural situations	Improves posture and body position
Range of motion restricted	Complete activation of muscles
Develop more bulging, bulky, swollen muscles	Longer more natural looking muscles
Can lead to muscular imbalances/overuse issues	Helps prevent injuries
Controlled and less effective movement pattern	Purposeful movement pattern
Shortening of muscle tissue	Lengthening of muscle tissue