Machines are possibly on their way out with the growing prominence of functional training in gyms and fitness centres, finds out Karan Bhardwaj
Spider crawl, crab walk or frog jumps… Remember those playful exercises we practised in our school days during early morning sessionsIJ The childhood days seem to have come back and see how! Popular gym chains and fitness centres in the city are stressing on functional training (FT), a style of workout which uses a person’s body weight as resistance and mimic day-to-day activities. The focus today is not as much on carving muscles as it is on holistic wellness. So it is no wonder that rather than going for strenuous exercises on machines, majority of people are opting for functional training. Its benefits are many and disadvantages almost nil. Moreover, functional training comes without any psychological barrier of stretching your body beyond your limit or stress factor of workout. It is rather fun and easier than working out on machines.
Gyms, not only in metros but also in tier II and III cities, are offering functional training programmes keeping in mind a wider demographic. Over the years, number of people going for functional training in various cities has increased exponentially.
Fitness for all
While youngsters are opting for functional training to perfectly tone their bodies, elders, too, are going for it to relieve themselves from everyday stress. People of all age groups are now open to new styles of workout to look and feel good. Says Hayley l Dack, director of The Imperial’s health club, “At 60, people want to look like 40 something. The best way to retain youth is to keep your body healthier.”
Be it 15 or 80, FT exercises can be moulded as per individual’s age and requirements. They can also be done indoors or outdoors regardless of time and space. Which is possibly why it’s a preferred choice for travellers to stay in shape. One can use bench, medicine ball, wipers, sand bags and many other things (easily available in a room) in different ways. “Mostly sessions last from half an hour to 45 minutes. By the end, every part of the body is worked upon and there’s a great sense of accomplishment,” says Pratibha Mittal from the Eros Hotel’s health club.
Holistic wellness
As the understanding of human body is improving, there’s an increased awareness on holistic fitness and well-being. Toning and agility is preferred over body building and fitness now is segregated from beauty to an independent health regime. Fitness expert Vesna Jacob says, “It started with people walking into gyms to lose weight or look good as they were not interested in the functioning of the body. Now, they want to look fitter and of course better. If you feel fit, your body shows up. It elevates your confidence and personality.”
FT involves weight bearing activities targetted at core muscles of the abdomen and lower back. During weight training, we make our muscles stronger but we are not conditioning muscles to perform better in real time and space. Explains Jacob, “We live in 3D world and it doesn’t make sense to condition body to two dimensions which happens when we use conventional methods of training. One must hit every angle of muscle development. For that, we need to do pull ups, lunges, pull ups or stretching.”
Crossfit, though not a very familiar concept in India, is gaining momentum. It is a combination of exercises with varied functional movements like pushing, pulling, lifting, squatting and rowing at high intensity. Kamal Chikara, head coach of Reebok Cross fit says, “This regimen aims to improve capacity in cardio respiratory endurance, stamina, strength, flexibility, power, speed coordination, agility, balance and accuracy. It results in comprehensive physical fitness and restored vitality.” Then there’s a heady mix of pilates, circuit training and sh’bam. Pilates is a set of specially designed floor exercises which aims at building strength.
Fun factor
While it may be lifeless to run on a treadmill against the wall, it’s fun to be jumping like toddlers or moving your body on Bollywood or bhangra beats. Hi-energy combat classes, yoga and boot camp sessions, there’s a variety that comes under FT. “Each one of us has family members who are almost dragged to gyms. The reason is that machine workout tends to be boring and it gives a psychological pressure to the person who is not used to working out. Machines stress you out easily and that is the reason most people discontinue going to gym after a certain time. Functional training can be as per one’s liking,” says Kashif, fitness expert at Gold Gym.
Scientifically, FT exercises are designed in such a way that they imbibe daily life movements like picking up things from the floor and putting on shelves. So performing them is not much of a trouble.
Easy way out
People have been following FT for years now. Most of them did take help of trainers but the good thing about this exercise regimen is that once you know the basics you can even exercise on your own and need not even go to the gym. Divya Rastogi, a professor in a Delhi varsity, says, “I tried gymming for a year but it didn’t impress me. However, the new exercise regime (FT), which I have been following for two years, is incredible. It doesn’t make me feel sick about the fact that I am working out. Also, I have been doing aerobics for almost six months now and I have shed 15 kgs so far. Making most of the popularity of FT are fitness chains, now spreading wings in small towns and cities.