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Unlimited F.I.T HIIT, Cross-Training, or Bootcamp Classes

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• $25.66 for two months ($220 value)

Functional Fitness: Beyond the Bench Press

Functional-fitness exercises focus on making everyday tasks easier. Check out Groupon’s basic rundown.

From shoveling snow to climbing stairs, people constantly carry out tasks that may seem mundane, but can lead to serious injury if the body can’t handle the workload. Functional fitness targets groups of muscles throughout the body, conditioning them to work together so they can perform a range of simple tasks more easily and safely. Exercises commonly used in a functional-fitness regimen mimic such everyday movements: squatting to pick up a heavy object, lunging forward toward an out-of-reach ledge, balancing on an unstable chair as the shelf collapses.

Whereas a traditional curl targets the biceps by way of elbow movement, a functional exercise might incorporate the shoulders, spine, hips, knees, and ankles, which trains the upper and lower body to work in unison with the aid of a tightened core. This integration allows the muscles to grow at a similar rate, gaining strength in a way that complements the way a person lives rather than the way they simply work out.

Regardless of the intensity, it’s best to start slow. Beginning with exercises that only use the body’s weight helps teach muscles proper form and keep them safe from injury. Once prepared, exercisers can add more resistance with weights, tubing, ropes, elephant trunks, and other tools.