I appreciate the dry wit of comedian J.P. Sears. I recently enjoyed a video he created on functional training (https://www.youtube.com/user/AwakenWithJP). I have to say, “Well done.”
Now, I am not opposed to “functional training”, per se. I think it is a phrase that is often misused or overused. In my humble and informed opinion, all training is “functional” to some extent. The problem I have is when functional training defies the principle of specificity and “opportunity” cost. If it is what you enjoy and it has you exercising, enjoy it. If you are specific about your fitness goals and are limited on time (and who isn’t pressed for time?), though, it might not be your best use of gym time.
A brother of a friend of mine made a very astute comment about the J.P. Sears video. He wrote: “When this guy gets done with his workout, he takes a shower and goes home. When I get done with my workout, I step back and look at how much bigger my woodpile got.” He certainly made me think of all the personal training clients who pay a premium to swing a sledgehammer on a truck tire.
When exactly did physical activity become exercise?? It is called “functional training” because it basically patterns exercise after movements that one might do in more functional living (in our “unfunctional life”, as J.P. Sears puts it).
A popular functional exercise is the farmer’s carry—carrying a heavy weight in each hand and walking for some distance. Well, I remember doing those carrying groceries home as a kid—uphill!
How many people are driving to the gym to walk on a treadmill? How many are paying a landscaper to tend to the yard while they go to the gym? I am sure there are more than a few.
Gyms are great. I am certainly not bashing personal trainers, gyms, or the people who use them. I think we might just reconsider how we use them. Weight lifting is a core (no pun intended) part of my exercise.
My recommendation for most—i.e., us average weightlifters—is train the basic lifts–e.g., squat, deadlift, bench, press, and rows–to build muscle (for show), do some cardio (especially, if your life and job are otherwise rather sedentary), then get out and use your physical fitness. Be active. We’ve built an industry charging people to do what they should be doing in their normal lives. We shouldn’t need gyms for functional training. Personally, I think more gym space needs to be devoted to weight training than anything else.
The five basic lifts will give you “functional” strength. These will provide a reasonable amount of hypertrophy. If you are an athlete, additional lifts might be warranted—such as power cleans. The athlete might also need exercises to counter imbalances, and bodybuilders and strength athletes will certainly need more specific training. For most, though, we should invest some time building muscle (i.e., hypertrophy) and spend more of our leisure time playing and working outdoors.
Next time you are inclined to try some functional exercise, consider what it is you are trying to accomplish. Ask yourself: “Is this something I could be doing outside of the gym?” If you are an athlete, ask: “How is this going to make me a better athlete?” All exercise is well and good. So, by all means, be active. My cautionary conclusion, however, is that time is precious. Use it wisely. Set goals, and be efficient and effective in attaining these goals. Specificity is the word of the day.
Be your best today; be better tomorrow.
Carpe momento!