In recent years, the importance of functional movement and its impact on overall health and well-being has gained significant recognition. As people become more aware of the benefits of functional movement, there is a growing demand for qualified instructors who can guide individuals in mastering these techniques. With the rise of online education, these courses have become accessible to a global audience. In this article, we will explore some of the best functional movement courses available online, highlighting their key features and benefits.
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What is functional movement?
What is functional movement? Functional movement refers to the biomechanically efficient and coordinated way in which the human body moves to perform everyday tasks and activities. These movements are not isolated exercises targeting specific muscles but rather a holistic approach that involves multiple muscle groups, joints, and systems working together in harmony.
The concept of functional movement is rooted in the idea that the body is designed to move in a diverse range of patterns, and these patterns should be optimized to ensure effective and safe performance in various situations. Functional movements encompass a wide array of activities, from bending and lifting to reaching, twisting, walking, and running. Essentially, any movement that we use in our daily lives or sports activities can be considered a functional movement.
The core principles of functional movement include:
- Efficiency: Functional movement prioritizes movements that are efficient and effective in achieving a specific goal, whether it’s lifting a heavy object or maintaining balance.
- Multi-joint coordination: Functional movements typically involve multiple joints and muscle groups working together. This integrated approach ensures that the body moves in a cohesive and balanced manner.
- Real-world application: Unlike traditional, isolated exercises performed in a controlled gym environment, functional movements replicate the actions and challenges encountered in real life. This prepares individuals to handle various situations with ease and reduced risk of injury.
- Core engagement: The core muscles play a significant role in functional movements by providing stability and supporting the body during complex motions.
- Balanced strength and flexibility: Functional movement promotes balanced development of strength, flexibility, and mobility across the entire body, rather than focusing solely on specific muscle groups.
- Injury prevention: By improving movement patterns and enhancing overall body mechanics, functional movement can help prevent injuries that might result from improper or asymmetrical movements.
Functional movement is widely recognized as a fundamental component of physical fitness and well-being. It goes beyond just building muscle and cardiovascular endurance; it focuses on enhancing the body’s ability to move with precision, power, and control. Many fitness experts and healthcare professionals emphasize the importance of functional movement as a way to maintain a healthy body and reduce the risk of chronic conditions and injuries.
Examples of functional movements include squatting, lunging, pushing, pulling, bending, twisting, and walking. These movements can be scaled and adapted to various fitness levels, making them suitable for individuals of all ages and abilities. Functional movement training can take various forms, including bodyweight exercises, kettlebell workouts, functional fitness classes, and specialized training programs like those mentioned in the article above.
In summary, functional movement is a holistic approach to physical fitness that emphasizes efficient and coordinated movement patterns. By incorporating functional movement into your fitness routine, you can improve your overall mobility, strength, and quality of life, enabling you to navigate daily activities and sports with confidence and reduced risk of injury.
Why Functional Movement Matters
Functional movement involves the coordinated effort of multiple muscle groups working together to perform daily tasks efficiently and safely. Unlike isolated exercises that target specific muscles, functional movement focuses on enhancing the body’s ability to move naturally and effectively. This approach not only improves physical performance but also helps prevent injuries and enhances overall quality of life.
Functional movement teacher trainings provide individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to guide others in achieving functional fitness. These trainings delve into biomechanics, anatomy, movement patterns, and exercise programming, empowering instructors to create customized workouts that cater to individual needs.
The Best Functional Movement Courses Online in 2024
There are so many great courses out there and we have chosen to focus on the industry’s very best. Here we will explore some of the best functional movement courses available online, and discuss their key features and benefits.
1. ISSA: Certified Corrective Exercise Specialist
The ISSA Corrective Exercise Certification offered by the International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) provides professionals with the knowledge and tools to assess and address movement dysfunctions. This certification equips participants with skills to design personalized corrective exercise programs for clients with various needs and goals. The program covers anatomy, biomechanics, and corrective strategies, ensuring graduates can help clients improve movement patterns and prevent injuries effectively.
Key features
- In-depth understanding of anatomy and movement mechanics.
- Assessment techniques to identify movement limitations and dysfunctions.
- Customized corrective exercise programming for diverse populations.
- Integration of corrective strategies into fitness and training regimens.
Benefits
- Develop expertise in identifying and addressing movement dysfunctions.
- Enhance client outcomes by creating tailored corrective exercise plans.
- Improve injury prevention by addressing underlying movement issues.
- Expand professional credentials and career opportunities in corrective exercise coaching.
2. White Tiger Qigong: Meridian Qigong Mastery
Unlock the secrets of meridians and their impact on your well-being with the White Tiger Qigong: Meridian Qigong Mastery Program & Teacher Training. Just as chakras are vital energy centers, the Daoist tradition highlights the significance of internal organs as key energy storage and distribution points. These meridians, coursing beneath your skin and connecting your organs, can become obstructed, leading to issues like inflammation, fatigue, and pain. The good news? There’s a simple solution at hand.
Introducing the revolutionary Meridian Qigong Mastery Program & Teacher Training by White Tiger Qigong. This transformative 12-week program is designed to provide a comprehensive grasp of Meridian Qigong. Through deliberate, rhythmic exercises that both stretch and contract your body, you can alleviate energy stagnation. It’s almost like magic, isn’t it? Once confined to the teachings of ancient Qigong masters tucked away in the mountains of China, this Qigong style is now accessible to you through easy-to-follow demonstrations.
Much like White Tiger’s Qigong Teacher Training, the Meridian Mastery Program unfolds across 5 captivating levels:
- Body
- Breath
- Spirit
- Prescription Qigong
- Teacher Training
Embark on a journey towards:
- Enhanced mobility and coordination
- Elevated libido
- Improved internal organ health
- Relief from bodily discomfort
- Elevated emotional equilibrium
- Better appetite regulation
- Smoother digestion and elimination
With comprehensive guidance, Qigong theory, and advanced concepts, your progress will be structured and your understanding will flourish exponentially. Bid farewell to energy blockages and welcome a revitalized, flowing Qi that elevates your well-being from within. Seize this opportunity to enroll in this specialized program today.
3. ACE: Functional Training
The ACE Functional Training Specialist Program is a comprehensive platform designed to enhance fitness professionals’ expertise in functional training methods. This program emphasizes practical and integrated movements that mirror real-life activities, offering participants the tools to create effective workouts that improve overall functional fitness. By focusing on multi-joint movements and core engagement, this program empowers fitness professionals to guide clients towards better movement patterns and injury prevention.
Key features
- In-depth exploration of functional training principles and methodologies.
- Emphasis on incorporating real-life movement patterns into fitness routines.
- Instruction on designing customized functional training programs for diverse populations.
Benefits
- Gain a solid foundation in functional training concepts and applications.
- Enhance your ability to help clients improve daily movement patterns.
- Learn to create tailored workouts that target specific functional fitness goals.
- Expand your credentials and expertise as a functional training specialist.
4. Anatomy in Motion Online Program
Anatomy in Motion (AiM) is a revolutionary approach to understanding movement patterns and addressing musculoskeletal imbalances. The AiM Online Program offers an in-depth exploration of the Anatomy in Motion methodology, providing participants with tools to assess and correct movement restrictions.
Key features
- Detailed exploration of the Anatomy in Motion philosophy and techniques.
- Instruction on gait analysis and its significance in functional movement.
- Practical exercises and strategies for improving mobility and reducing pain.
- Integration of AiM principles into personalized training programs.
Benefits
- Develop expertise in analyzing gait and identifying movement compensations.
- Learn to create targeted interventions for clients with specific movement issues.
- Enhance your ability to facilitate pain relief and improve functional capabilities.
- Gain insights into the interconnectedness of the body’s movement patterns.
5. Functional Range Conditioning (FRC) Certification
Functional Range Conditioning (FRC) is a comprehensive system designed to improve joint health, mobility, and overall movement capacity. The FRC Certification, available online, equips participants with the knowledge and techniques to enhance joint function and performance.
Key features
- In-depth exploration of joint anatomy, physiology, and mechanics.
- Instruction on Controlled Articular Rotations (CARs) and other FRC techniques.
- Emphasis on progressive training methods to expand usable ranges of motion.
- Application of FRC principles to injury prevention and rehabilitation.
Benefits
- Gain specialized knowledge in joint health and mobility training.
- Learn to implement FRC strategies in various fitness and rehabilitation contexts.
- Enhance your coaching skills to address individual limitations effectively.
- Contribute to improved joint longevity and overall movement quality.
Conclusion
Functional movement teacher trainings have emerged as essential resources for fitness professionals seeking to provide effective and holistic training experiences. Online platforms have made these trainings accessible to a global audience, allowing individuals to enhance their expertise from the comfort of their homes. Whether you’re interested in movement assessment, natural movement skills, joint health, or movement restoration, the variety of online functional movement teacher trainings mentioned in this article offer valuable knowledge and skills to help you excel in the field of functional fitness coaching. As the demand for functional movement expertise continues to grow, these trainings provide a pathway to becoming a knowledgeable and impactful instructor in the realm of movement and fitness.
