MONDAY MASTER BLOG: FUNCTIONAL TRAINING VS THE STRENGTH EQUIPMENT

MONDAY MASTER BLOG: FUNCTIONAL TRAINING VS THE STRENGTH EQUIPMENT April 28, 

2024 A frequently asked question that I often receive as a trainer is: what is more effective, functional training with an exercise such as the deadlift, or using a device such as the leg press? 

Frankly, there is no straight answer to that question. Both training methods have their pros and cons. An advantage of the deadlift is of course that several muscle groups are targeted, but incorrect execution can be prone to injury. 

On the other hand, a machine like the leg press offers more stability and is less likely to make mistakes, but you move in a more isolated manner. So what's the best choice? Personally, I prefer functional training for the following reasons: Better performance in everyday life: 

Functional training focuses on movements that we often perform in everyday life, such as lifting, bending, twisting and lifting. By training these movements, we can improve our overall functional capacity, resulting in greater ease and efficiency when performing everyday tasks. Injury prevention: By training functional movements, we not only strengthen specific muscles, but also the stabilizers and coordination needed to perform these movements correctly. This can help reduce the risk of injuries, both during exercise and in everyday life. Improved sports performance: Many sports require a combination of strength, stability, mobility and coordination. Functional training allows athletes to improve these aspects of fitness, which can lead to better performance and a reduced risk of injury during exercise.

Efficiency: Functional training uses compound movements that target multiple muscle groups simultaneously, allowing you to get a complete workout in less time. This can be especially useful for people with busy schedules. All in all, functional training is not only aimed at building muscle mass, but at developing a stronger, more resilient body that can function well in all aspects of daily life.

Bart Brusse Enforce Master Trainer bart@enforce.nl