What are functional movements?

Functional movements are those that closely mimic the activities people perform in their daily lives. These movements are designed to enhance an individual's ability to interact effectively and safely with their environment. By engaging in functional movements, individuals can improve their strength, balance, coordination, and overall physical fitness in a way that translates directly to real-world tasks.

This approach promotes not just athletic performance but also functional independence in everyday scenarios like squatting to pick something off the ground or pulling something towards you. Functional movements provide a foundation for effective training that can lead to better posture, movement patterns, and injury prevention.

The other options fall short in capturing the essence of functional movements. While strength training can involve functional movements, not all strength exercises are functional. High-speed movements might emphasize power but do not necessarily align with the functional nature of everyday actions. Finally, functional movements do not require specialized equipment; they can often be performed using body weight and simple implements, emphasizing accessibility and practicality in a training regimen.