10 Best Functional Gym Equipment for Optimal Workouts
FIRST OFF WHAT IS FUNCTIONAL TRAINING?
Functional training is an excellent form of exercise that can help improve your everyday activities and sporting performances. These exercises involve the use of multiple muscles and focus on core strength and stability. We highly recommend incorporating functional training into your workout routines to enhance your overall fitness and functional movement patterns.
So now we know a little bit more about functional training what equipment could you use for Functional Training, well below are our top 10 Functional pieces of equipment you should try:
TOP 10 FUCNCTIONAL EQUIPMENT>
10th PLACE - SKIIS
Originally designed as a training tool for cross country skiers, the SKII (SKIIERG) has been embraced by the fitness community for its ability to work legs, core and arms in a smooth, continuous motion. helps you build strength and endurance by working the entire body in an efficient, rhythmic motion. Skiing is a low impact, high calorie burning exercise suitable for all ages and abilities.
9th PLACE - FREE RUNNERS
The Assault AirRunner is ideal for anyone looking to up their running game. It helps you perfect your stride and strengthen your performance through the technique it takes to make the belt move. But if you aren't already good at setting your own pace, this tread may not be for you. The piece of equipment is great but limit the amount of things you can do, but mainly running and resistance push similar to sled pushing, the equipment is great for adding into a circuit or HIIT session.
8th PLACE - TYRES
That's correct BIG GIANT TYRES. There are multiple things to do with a tyre but the downside is that it will be the same weight. Here are several exercise you could do with a TYRE. 1. POP SQUATS, 2. Single leg Pop JUMPS, 3.Decline Push-Up and Knee Drive, 4. SLEDGE HAMMER WORKOUTS, 5. TYRE FLIPS, 6. JUMP OVERS, 7.TYRE ROPE PULLS
7th PLACE - BOXES
Ok we think straight away boxes, we just JUMP, yes BUT plenty of other you can do with the box. Here are just a few various exercises you can throw into your workouts - 1. ELEVATED PUSH UPS, 2. ELEVATED KNEE TOUCHES, 3.BULGARIAN SPLIT SQUATS, 4.BURPEE BOX JUMPS, 5. BOX Jumps, 6.LATERAL STEP OVERS
6th PLACE - WEIGHT SLED
If you want hard work and great graft of a workout then this is the M.F. for you. Add a Harness to the sled and you really got something. The Sled can involve engaging your hamstrings, hips, glutes, back, calves, core, triceps, and shoulders all at once, whether you load the sled with heavy weights or not. This is what makes it a great full-body exercise for those looking to challenge their fitness. There are lots of Push and PULL variation exercises to take on here are just a few can do, imagination is key - Forward drag, 2. Backward drag, 3. Sled push, 4. Sled row, 5. Forward stiff-leg hamstring walks, 6. Seated one-arm row pulls, 7. Straight-arm pull-through.
5th PLACE - BATTLE ROPES
Many will not survive..... ok but seriously it is a battle and there are no half measures you can do on this, its got to be full throttle. If you have a creative imagination again lots of functional movements you can do with the battle rope and add these to your HIIT/Circuit sessions. Exercises you can do 1. Jumping Power Slams, 2. Squat to Shoulder Press, 3. Alternating Wide Circles, 4. Jumping Jacks, 5. Alternating Jump Wave.
DING DING the next 3 will rewarded to the BELLS GROUP and 4th is the Kettlebells. Kettlebells are known to improve overall strength, core power, balance, flexibility, and coordination while also melting fat and sculpting healthy and lean muscles. Because a kettlebell has an off-set centre of gravity, usually about 6 to 8 inches away from your grip on the handle, it is harder to control. Exercises you can do with kettlebell are -
- KETTLEBELL DEADLIFT.
- KETTLEBELL GOBLET SQUAT.
- KETTLEBELL SWING.
- KETTLEBELL GOBLET STEPUPS.
- KETTLEBELL CURTSY LUNGE.
- KETTLEBELL PUSH-PRESS.
- KETTLEBELL SINGLE-ARM BOTTOMS-UP PRESS.
- SPLIT-STANCE KETTLEBELL ROW.
Very similar to Kettlebells, but with the dumbbell you can choose more control, and with it being a smallish item they are easy to minovery which is why it my 3rd favourite item for functional type training. here are a few things you can do for functional training with a dumbbell Romanian Dumbbell Deadlift, Russian Dumbbell Swing, Single-Arm Dumbbell Snatch, Dumbbell Thrusters, & Dumbbell Woodchoppers
The Barbell is in 2nd and well deserved, with a lot of the top athletes around the world utilising this piece of equipment is a sure champion. Once only weight lifters used this equipment but with more research and proof in the pudding the barbell has shown to improve performances in sports such athletics and swimming time after time. So if your looking for the athletic body or looking for extra speed then be sure to use the barbell with your workouts with maybe some of these added exercises, Over head presses, Deadlifts ,Power cleans, Squats, & Bent over rows.
NUMBER 1 most underrated equipment is the slam/wallball, if you have the space the grounds to use the slam or wall balls then use it. The problem with this piece of equipment is you need a solid floor or wall to use it or a good partner to throw at, but the amount things you can do with these big heavy weighted balls is endless, they are fun and you can mimic almost all sporting movements. There are not too many trainers that utilise but top athletes will swear by these if done correctly so be sure to watch some intensive videos to ensure you are doing the movements correctly or be inventive. Here are a few exercises you can do for some great functional movements with a wall and also link to some wall ball exercises. Double slam downs, Russian wall throws, tekkan throws and rainbow throws.
- SLAM/WALL BALLS
- BARBELL
- DUMBELLS
- KETTLEBELLS
- BATTLE ROPES
- WEIGHT SLED
- BOXES
- TYRE
- FREE RUNNERS
- SKIIS