Strong for Life: The Power of Functional Fitness

A decline in mobility begins between ages 40 and 55 and accelerates with each decade, according to a 2017 study in The Journals of Gerontology. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that nearly 40 percent of people aged 65 and older have at least one disability. However, consistent, targeted activity can maintain or even improve the ability to rise from a chair, climb stairs, carry groceries or get onto the floor. Functional fitness exercises that mimic daily tasks like reaching, twisting, squatting and bending enhance quality of life, manage pain and aid injury recovery at any age.

A 2021 systematic review in Frontiers in Physiology found functional training beneficial for the development of agility, balance and speed. And a 2024 study in Advances in Rheumatology showed that a functional fitness program for fibromyalgia patients was more effective than stretching exercises at reducing pain and improving quality of life and general health. Additional benefits include better cardiovascular health and improved metabolism, without the need for expensive gym memberships or elaborate equipment.

 

Moving Better, Not Harder

Aches and pains or feelings of limitation often result from a lack of consistent movement, rather than biological age. “As our world has gone more toward technology, we’ve created a situation where we need to get our movement and cardio elsewhere,” observes Sharon Bourke, a certified medical exercise specialist and executive director of The Life Energy Foundation, in Rockville, Maryland.

Because she lives with the challenges of fibromyalgia, Bourke knows firsthand how ill health can lead to loss of fitness. She shares, “I started walking only five minutes a day because I would get a setback if I did more. I did this for two weeks. Once I was gaining energy, I added another five minutes. Every time I had a couple of good weeks, I would add more. Was it slow? Yes. Was it worth it? Oh yes!”

According to certified fitness coach Travis Weber, in Mountain View, California, functional fitness focuses on how the body moves as a system, not on bulking specific muscle groups. “It’s about moving better, not harder,” he explains. “When performed correctly, these exercises let the body stretch and strengthen at the same time, building mobile, flexible strength that translates directly to everyday life.”

 

Vital Moves and Modifications

For easier chair access or stair climbing, Harvard Health recommends functional exercises like the stationary split squat, which targets the quads, gluteal muscles and hamstrings; addresses muscular imbalances by working each leg separately; and is gentler on the knees and ankles than traditional lunges. A stationary split squat starts in a lunge position, lowering the back knee to tap the floor while keeping the upper body straight and holding onto a chair for stability.

Squats, with or without weights, strengthen core, leg and gluteal muscles needed to rise from a chair or lift objects. Classic push-ups can be done on the floor from toes or knees, or against a wall. Upper body strength enables picking up a toddler and placing a suitcase in the overhead bin.

“Some exercises use your own body weight with acceleration (going fast) and deceleration (slowing down) to build strength in a certain movement pattern. For instance, going from sitting to standing at a timed speed would increase your ability to get up out of a chair,” explains Bourke, emphasizing fitness geared toward multi-joint movements that resemble everyday activities. Some of her clients that struggled to get up and down from the floor improved by engaging in functional exercises while in bed, and she endorses tailored exercise regimens for pain reduction.

Weber points out that the body moves more freely without heavy resistance; for example, stretching with a weight instead of tightening against it improves flexibility and mobility over time. He recommends lightweight deadlifts and any lightweight squat variation, “because they recruit nearly every muscle in the body while allowing you to move with control and awareness, reinforcing strength and coordination in everyday tasks like bending, lifting or getting up from the floor.” For those seeking a trainer or class, he advises finding an instructor that prioritizes form and quality of movement over speed or intensity. If a full workout isn’t feasible, he suggests a 15-to-20-minute walk that can make a huge difference.

Bourke confirms that strict training routines are not necessary, sharing, “Play with your kids or grandkids. Dance around the house. Sit less. Get up and do some tasks like cleaning or running errands rather than having things delivered.”

Weber asserts, “Building healthy habits doesn’t have to mean overhauling your life. It’s about small, consistent actions that add up. When movement and recovery both feel rewarding, consistency becomes natural.”

 

Zak Logan is a freelance health writer dedicated to holistic living.

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