The New Year has come, and almost everyone has probably made a resolution to be more active, to lose weight, or to be more physically fit in 2018.
While these are noble goals, hardly anyone has the motivation to see this through upto the end of the year. What with all sorts of reasons to skip the gym such as work, business meetings, minding the kids, household chores, among others — almost all of us have “valid reasons” not to go to the gym or to skip physical workouts.
But if you are determined to stick to your resolutions this year, allow me to help you out.
The three human biomechanical planes of motion are sagittal, frontal, and transverse. As human beings, we are born to move in multiplanes simultaneously. In order for us to achieve optimum performance, we must move in full range of motion (ROM).
Our muscles, connective tissues, tendons, ligaments are naturally designed for constant stimulation. This means that we need to move in accordance with our human biomechanics for our muscles to be continually healthy.
In doing so, our bodies are prepared for different types of physical challenges; be it in sports, recreation, work, and daily chores.
Daily exercises must incorporate all the elements in fitness: cardio, strength, core, mobility, flexibility, balance, stability, endurance, psychomotor, and proprioception. Focusing on only one or two elements defeats the goal of optimum performance.
At this day and age, everyone has different choices available out there. This includes what specific type of training modality to use.
I do have a tip for you: To reach the peak of your performance, choose the type of training that is complete in all aspects. Functional training is a complete training modality that can improve your body’s biomechanical functions. It is training with a purpose.
Functional Training is not just training the muscles but also training movements. It teaches the body to move as one unit.
In addition, this enhances brain function because this type of training is instructing the brain to control movements (neural control). It is ideal for those starting out to exercise, getting back to exercise, and athletes who need to refine their skills in their particular field.
For a novice who wishes to begin his fitness journey, incorporating the eight fundamental movements in the routine is necessary. The fitness program to be used needs to be progressive and safe, especially since the novice is still starting. Beginners should never be forced to complete an entire program on their first day.
Fitness training is building the body, not breaking it. Always remember, movement is not about how heavy you can lift, how many repetitions you can accomplish, nor about how complex you can move. It is how you control specific movements in relation to its function.
For athletes, it is another story, however. They have different fitness levels as no two athletes are the same. But most athletes commonly focus on their favorite type of exercise when in fact, they are supposed to train in accordance with their specific sport.
Functional Training is highly applicable for both amateur and professional athletes’ strength and conditioning as it simulates specific sports movements. It also addresses movement dysfunctions at the same time. No other training modality can give maximum impact to improve athleticism, and give them a new set of goals for improvement.
This is especially true in the transverse plane wherein athletes are employing training movements that make use of their rotational sling systems to enhance core strength, stability, and mobility.
I hope this first piece for 2018 is an eye-opener for those who can’t seem to let go of a sedentary lifestyle.
Success is determined one repetition at a time. You will never reach your destination if you don’t take that first step. For a stronger 2018, let’s get moving!
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Author’s email: archie.nellas@gmail.com
