The other day I was relaxing in some hot pools when I noticed an elderly man leaving the pool. Two people were assisting him, and I held my breath hoping he would make it out without injury.
He was lean as a stick and looked very frail. As I looked I could not help wondering if that will be me one day. Which led me to think about functional fitness.
Making Exercise Useful
It is my desire that I will maintain some level of fitness right through to old age - although we never be sure what life will throw at us.
To me, functional fitness means - the ability to get in and out of a chair easily (squats helps with this). To be agile, balanced, and flexible enough to cope with any of life's activities - such as shifting furniture or picking up my kids.
Power
I know of a woman who is a powerlifter. Recently she was at a shopping mall and noticed a large older woman had fallen and could not get up. At this point two other ladies were assisting but lacked the strength to do anything. It seemed a hopeless situation.
The powerlifting woman alone had the strength to boost the fallen lady into a sitting position.
Now that's useful.
He was lean as a stick and looked very frail. As I looked I could not help wondering if that will be me one day. Which led me to think about functional fitness.Making Exercise Useful
It is my desire that I will maintain some level of fitness right through to old age - although we never be sure what life will throw at us.
To me, functional fitness means - the ability to get in and out of a chair easily (squats helps with this). To be agile, balanced, and flexible enough to cope with any of life's activities - such as shifting furniture or picking up my kids.
Power
I know of a woman who is a powerlifter. Recently she was at a shopping mall and noticed a large older woman had fallen and could not get up. At this point two other ladies were assisting but lacked the strength to do anything. It seemed a hopeless situation.
The powerlifting woman alone had the strength to boost the fallen lady into a sitting position.
Now that's useful.
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4 Comments:
Just happened across your blog and thought I'd leave a comment. That last anecdote about the woman helping the lady who'd fallen struck a chord. My trainer is all about "functional fitness"... I am amazed by small changes in my life through my training... The ability to carry more groceries... Lift things with more ease... Walk through ice and snow in the winter with more balance... Yup. Function is where it is at.
By Sarah Elaine at 8:53 PM
Yes yes yes! That's exactly it. So many people equate exercise with torment and pain!
When in reality you can improve your quality of life in many areas.
Nice to hear from you.
By Jim at 9:20 PM
People aren't created for fitness.We must use our energy for our work in real life.Functional fitness is good.But fitness alone is a waste of energy.We must spend our energy for a reason,aim.So the article is right.
By Anonymous at 2:54 PM
>But fitness alone is a waste of energy.We must spend our energy for a reason,aim.
Though, you never know when your fitness might suddenly become functional, like in the example of the fallen woman.
I would never worry about becoming "too fit" :)
By Anonymous at 10:31 AM
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