Core-Principles: The Function of Functional Training

Okay?okay?okay! Enough already!!! It seems like with every new term, every new invention or just about anything that is seemingly not "Everyday" that we all become flustered and assume we know nothing, which is both a testament to our lack of faith in ourselves and also a reflection of our ever-growing dependence on externals to give us a little reassurance where our natural instincts should be in high gear.

My intention with this article is not to offend anyone especially those that whom, without their continual support I would surely be seeking a new line of work, and yes I am referring to my clients, so please don't feel like I'm bashing "you" if I ever refer to any particular individuals or events, no names will be mentioned though. Okay so?a while back, a client that I really respect and admire as a person had a dilemma that caused quite a bit of frustration for him and the other party that was involved?his daughter, also a client. What happened (an avoidable sport related injury) was tough on all involved, including myself, which, for me was my integrity as a fitness professional, something that I don't take lightly and also a profession where in today's world either has a negative connotation or if viewed positively, "we" are all equally educated and equipped to handle all aspects of fitness when it comes to the customers specific and infinite diversities; be it post-rehabilitation, specificity of sport, special populations or general fitness concerns or needs... All fitness trainers are not "professionals" (imagine that!) nor are they equal in their abilities and hardly ever do you find a fitness trainer with expertise in a variety of different specialties! It takes many years of education, study, application with thousands of delicate intricacies (people are complex) that make us all, well?'us", minutely distinct. It also requires an understanding of unique differences in personalities and the ability to cope with a multitude of unknown, potential disasters; not to mention?likes, dislikes, opinions, lifestyles, cultures, beliefs and so on? And it's not just a general understanding of anatomy, physiology, exercise-science or athleticism? It also includes an aptitude in psychology, communication and a deep desire to help others and to serve your fellow man with all that propels you forward?or at least that is what it is to me!

I'm a pretty sensitive guy especially when it comes to my client's needs and the fulfillment of their needs and when something strikes to the bone such as this particular incident, I become so absorbent of their concerns it usually drives me to really dig deep into myself and hopefully I become a better resource for my clients out of these situations, which ironically if you read on is why I am writing this piece in the first place. The previously mentioned sport related injury of a talented young athlete is what motivated me to put pen to paper, she is very gifted and posses the kind of personality that we desperately need as role models in modern day athletics. But she was injured by a degreed professional and it seemed like there wasn't anyone around that could see 'the picture' clearly: The "DIAGNOSIS"?rehab-therapy mingled with the rigors of hard-core team training?this boggled me; rehab always precedes specificity (sport) training, build, repair and then if recovery is attained, hit the hard-core stuff, plain and simple because re-injury will surely squelch the spirit and possible prevent true talent from ever recognizing it's infinite potential.

This article is actually on core training or as I'll title it? Kore-Training, but what is really functional training and not just abdominal/tummy training or training the body from it's core center of gravity or even training the body beginning with it's proximal musculature moving outward toward the distal focal point. The big misconception with core training is that it is just mid-section training and all you have to do is some quick crunches or even worse hyperextensions and your "core" will be stronger and leaner. I hear this all the time and it still puzzles me, its one thing for the customer seeking fitness to not be 100% sure what core training is, but a professional should know better! Guess what? Too many fitness trainers, sports and conditioning coaches and other so-called "professionals" have no idea what core training is! In essence it is just functional training and 'functional' simply translates to the training of function/daily uses of the body or just training our bodies as they were designed to move. This obviously varies from person to person, athlete to athlete and the specific uses of each and every individual. Now, for a little tech-talk?

If you wanna get down to nuts and bolts, the primary vicinity of the core is called the?are you ready for this? Lumbo-Pelvic-Hip-Complex and in order to enhance the integrity of the core, what we are really doing is developing better dynamic postural control, increasing muscular balance, a greater degree of neuromuscular and bio-mechanic efficiency and building or rebuilding structural endurance and stabilization strength and power. And that's core training? What does this mean to the layman? Crunches? Sit-ups? No! It means something different to each and every one of us. Are, ab exercises part of core training? Perhaps, if the lumbar region is strong enough to endure these exercises, but usually crunches are performed so poorly that a greater potential for injury will nullify what positive effects the crunches might possibly provide. So, the answer is both yes and no, depends on who is asking and your particular conditioning level, however rather than sticking our bodies in odd looking machines we should use movements that are relative to our activities or our sport or more specifically we should just use movements that keep our bodies free to move through space as we target various muscle groups, and if pondered, it doesn't take a genius to figure that out. The truth is both the Greeks and Romans trained for competition like this thousands of years ago, not to mention the fact that our bodies have not changed that much biologically, biochemically or physiologically, we are made of the same material as they were then.

Common sense is the key, move our bodies as they were designed to function and allow them to improve through progression and repetition. If we are looking to rehabilitate, repair or strengthen debilitations or genetically pre-disposed weaknesses then my advise would be?consult a qualified professional and by professional I mean someone who has a back-ground in this specific area of 'application' or applied expertise: this "expert" should give an assessment and then a prescription of a detailed movement protocol for the individual, what you should be weary of is the "professional" that eagerly dispenses a standardized penciled-in work-out sheet that resembles your?'Free-Introductory-Work-Out' card at "Jack's Work-Out Shack". Also, if any of these "professionals" hurt you? Then, they simply are not "PROFESSIONALS"! Final note, I am adamantly opposed to "knocking" hard working, well intended others of my particular profession as well as those of the medical community, but when injuries are concerned, we should always do our selves justice and seek more than one (1) 'professional' opinion?degrees, credentials and "leg-up" opportunities aside?and I know you don't need me to tell you that. I, applaud each and every one of you that chooses the right choice, because the right is merely an echo of truth!

-Kurt Lee Hurley, Veritas

Kurt's website http://www.kreatefitness.com, as well as his Provo Utah Private Fitness Facility Synergy Fitness Systems, specializes in in providing leading edge exercise and nutrition programs and a super premium supplement line. All of these superior products offer superior results.

---

Why Core is Key

Do you currently suffer or have you ever suffered from... Read More

Top 10 Reasons To Exercise In The Morning

If I had to pick a single factor that I... Read More

Arthritis Exercise ? One Way to Relieve Pain & Stiffness in Your Joints (part 2)

Even when you cannot make it out to walk or... Read More

Pilates: A Challenging and Motivating Exercise Regimen

Pilates is named after its creator Joseph Pilates. It is... Read More

Use an Exercise Training Diary to Keep Your Workouts on Track

A road map is a very handy tool when you're... Read More

Home Gym Workout Routines

Home gym workout routines can take the hassle out of... Read More

Banish Your Lower Back Pain Permanently Without Drugs or Surgery

It is estimated that about 80 percent of the population... Read More

Discover the Best Weight Loss Exercise Ever!

The Best Weight Loss ExerciseThe exercise the experts are keeping... Read More

Professional Triathlon Training Taking You To Your Best

There are hundreds of different programs for professional triathlon training... Read More

Exercise and the Time Clock

I have to admit that I sometimes find it amusing... Read More

Complete Physical Transformation Using The Purposefully Primitive Fitness Methodology

The Purposeful Primitive approach to the art and science of... Read More

How to Start a Walking Program

Did you know that walking is the number one participation... Read More

Exercise - Anxiety & Panic

Yes, all I'm afraid this does play a part in... Read More

Strategies for Alleviating the Boredom Associated with Exercise

Just about every expert in the ADD field will tell... Read More

Exercise and Losing Weight for Life ? Avoid the #1 Mistake Everyone Makes!

Do you ever feel like you are working out so... Read More

Exercising - Ways of staying motivated!

The number one reason people say they do not exercise... Read More

Is Exercise Making You Feel Worse?

I'm sure you've heard the following statement over and over... Read More

2-Minute Fitness

Why would I want to write about yet another fitness... Read More

When Exercising Right Looks Wrong III (Back)

Hopefully, if you read my last article I got you... Read More

Your Guide To Exercise

Even light exercise is good for you, so don't get... Read More

Exercising In Heat

Summer is officially here. Finally you can pack away your... Read More

The Great Forgotten Exercise -- Parallel Bar Dips

When it comes to building lower pectorals, triceps and frontal... Read More

Weight Loss, Bodybuilding, and Exercise Tips ? Keeping Your Body-fat Low: Part 2 of 10

My name is Greg Ryan. I am a fitness expert,... Read More

Unstable And Proud Of It! Power to the Push-Ups!

When I get finished teaching you this never-before-seen version of... Read More

Essential Power Walking Tips

Ever since I took a power walking class in college,... Read More

Avoid These Top 5 Workout Myths

Do you know the health and fitness industry is plagued... Read More

After Exercise Headache - More Serious Than You Think?

It's surprisingly common - you're exercising, everything's fine, and then... Read More

Weight Loss and Exercise in Tough Environmental Conditions

Working out is working out, right?Wrong.Depending on the environmental conditions... Read More

Optimize Your Exercise: Maximizing the Time Spent Working Out

Diet and Exercise are the inseparable twins that are seen... Read More

2 Exercises to Avoid

If you want a good night, then avoid two of... Read More

Top 10 Mistakes To Avoid When Exercising the Abdominals

The abdominal muscles are essential for maintaining good posture and... Read More

When Exercising Right Looks Wrong II

Enter any health club and a concept is very apparent,... Read More

Different Exercises Schedule to Combat Hypertension, Obesity, and Asthma!

Different Health Problems generally do not allow us to do... Read More