As a fitness enthusiast, functional training should be a part of your routine. It is a type of exercise that is geared towards training muscles to work together to perform daily activities. However, it can be frustrating when you are putting in the work, but not seeing the results you desire. That’s why we have put together these five tips to help you overcome common mistakes that are holding you back.

1. Incorrect Form

One of the most common mistakes people make when doing functional training is incorrect form. This can lead to injuries and prevent you from getting the full benefits of the exercise. Before performing any exercise, it is essential to understand proper form and technique. If you are unsure of how a particular exercise should be performed, consider asking a trainer for guidance.

A person with a trainer doing a squat exercise

2. Overcomplicating Exercises

It is easy to get caught up in trying to do too many exercises at once or perform complicated movements. While it may look impressive, it is not necessarily effective. Start simple, focus on perfecting the fundamental movements before adding any complexity. You can also try using bodyweight exercises to get comfortable with simple movements and progress to weights.

A person doing a simple bodyweight squat exercise

3. Lack of Variety

Functional training requires a wide range of exercises to work different muscle groups. Doing the same exercises repeatedly can lead to a plateau in progress. Mixing it up by adding new exercises not only helps break the monotony but can also challenge your body in different ways, leading to increased results.

A person using resistance bands for a variety of exercises

4. Skipping Warm-Ups

Warming up before working out is a crucial step that should not be overlooked. A proper warm-up helps increase blood flow to your muscles, loosen them up, and prevent injuries. A good warm-up should include dynamic stretching to help prime your muscles for a better workout.

A person stretching their arms before a workout

5. Not Progressing

Functional training should be progressive. This means that you need to increase the intensity of your workout over time. Not doing so can lead to a plateau in progress, or worse, a regression in strength gains. Consider increasing the weight, resistance, or the number of repetitions to keep challenging yourself.

A person with weights, progressively increasing the resistance

In conclusion, functional training is an excellent way to boost your fitness level and improve your quality of life by making daily activities more manageable. However, to get the best out of your workout, avoid common mistakes like poor form, overcomplicating exercises, lack of variety, skipping warm-ups, and failing to progress. Follow these tips, and you will see the progress you desire and reach your fitness goals.💪

A graphic of a person doing a variety of functional training exercises