FUNctional Fitness: Why Real-Life Movement Matters

Today we continue our series where we explore different types of classes that you'll find here at HealthGirl.

Our first article was all about Back Care Yoga, and this week we're talking about fitness, or what we fondly refer to as FUNctional Fitness at HealthGirl.

What is "Functional Fitness" anyway?

Functional fitness is an umbrella term for exercises or activities that mimic movements we do in everyday life, to keep our bodies strong, stable, mobile and flexible. The aim is to create useful physical fitness - not just an attractive body (although that is nice to have), but a body that can carry out daily activities safely, with strength, confidence and energy. This often encompasses five basic movement types: push, pull, hinge, squat and carry. These movements, when done properly, build a strong, healthy foundation for physical fitness that can reduce the risk of injury and illnesses and can improve energy, mood, and overall physical and mental health and well-being.

Sounds useful, but also pretty dull, doesn't it? That's where we put the FUN back into FUNctional Fitness here at HealthGirl! So often, we think of fitness classes as either boring and repetitive, or punishingly difficult, where we are worried that we might hurt ourselves and be too sore to move for days after.

While challenging workouts are great, we don't have to exercise so hard that we have a hard time sitting down the next day to know we've had an effective workout!

Our functional fitness classes combine exercises that will strengthen and stabilize every part of your body, and we do it in a way that can be modified to your energy and fitness levels. We change it up from class to class so that, while you'll get to know the exercises and how to perform them properly, you won't repeat the same routine day in and day out and get bored.

We also add in cardiovascular exercise by getting you moving around your mat, around the room, and using different movement patterns to raise your heart rate and build your speed, agility and balance - all within what you feel is comfortable for your body.

Of course, we add fun music and always make sure we laugh so the time flies by! We try to keep a tone that is confidence-building, inclusive and energetic so that you can improve your overall health. We don't have any athletic prerequisites for this class, just that you can stand and move around without assistance. This class will help you rediscover the joy of challenging yourself in a fun and encouraging way! This is great for beginners through to intermediate levels.

Minimal equipment is needed - often just your mat, athletic shoes, water, a sturdy chair, and some light or medium weights or exercise bands when exercising with us online.

When joining our in-person classes, you'll need your mat, water, and clean indoor-only athletic shoes. If you want to bring your resistance bands you are welcome to, but we also provide equipment including chairs, bands, weights and benches. If you have a latex allergy, please inform us before registering so we have our latex-free bands ready for you.

This class is not meant to diagnose or treat any injury or illness, and we always recommend talking to your doctor before beginning a new program. Feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions at [email protected] 

Currently, we offer Low-Impact FUNctional Fitness (a Barre/Pilates Blend) as a part of our online AnyTime Studio membership on Tuesdays for 45 minutes at 7:30 AM Eastern. Recorded fitness classes are also available with this unlimited online membership. To get your risk-free 7-day trial of the AnyTime Studio, visit www.healthgirl.ca/join and get started now!

We also offer in-person FUN Cardio Fitness on Thursday evenings at 6:30 PM Eastern. Classes currently take place at North Dundas District High School, Room 130. Drop-ins are always welcome! To find out more or pre-register, go to www.healthgirl.ca/lmalliance2024jan 

We are always here for you if you have any questions, please email [email protected]

Cheers to your good health,

Meghann