"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."

-Aristotle

Functional Training

Functional training is comprised of seven different movement patterns. These patterns are geared to get us up and moving in the manner our ancestors moved, in order to effectively engage in "Activities of Daily Living" (ADL). ADL's are simple movements such as being able to bend over and pick up a pencil without hurting one's back; sit down on a chair/couch/toilet, and get back up; reach overhead and get something off a high shelf and set it on the ground; twist around sideways to talk to a friend or get into your car.

THE SEVEN FUNCTIONAL, OR PRIMAL MOVEMENTS ARE:

• Squatting
• Bending
• Lunging
• Pushing
• Pulling
• Twisting
• Gait (to walk/jog or sprint)

An unfortunate aspect of most peoples' daily lives, young and old alike, is that sitting not moving have become the norm. Research shows that most people spend 80% or more of their days sitting: in a car, at work, in school, in front of the tv or computer. Not only does this create poor health and disease (read dis-ease), but is a catalyst for injuries of all manner.

In order to have strong muscles and bones, be healthy and stave off disease and injury, be active in sports and do the things we love, it is necessary to not only move but to move correctly. Functional Training is a way of moving one's body to not only engage in ADL's, but to achieve the aforementioned goals.