When you walk into a gym, what’s the first thing you see? Mirrors. While they are used by some people watch their form, most people just enjoy looking at themselves look good, which is exactly the reason that most people go to the gym in the first place.

Many people never even consider the ability to increase performance and functional strength when they work out, all they care about is improving the way they look.

It’s easy to confuse the meaning of functional fitness. The true meaning of the term is the capability of people to improve their performance in their chosen activities and daily lives. Functional fitness allows improves endurance, strength, and the overall ability of people to move.

The fact of the matter is that if a person is training to improve their performance, improved looks will soon follow. Setting goals and breaking them will get you started. For example, test your limits of pull-ups and try to do more next time you try. This is the path of functional performance training.

Training for functionality can be started simply with the following list:

1. Rather than your usual cardio, try interval and sprint training

2. Instead of isolation exercises (arm curls, leg extensions), do compound exercises (pull-ups, squats)

3. Instead of splitting your workouts into body parts, work your whole body with kettlebells and sandbags

By training with specific performance goals in mind, accomplishing them will be that much sweeter. In addition, you’ll look better and you’ll really be strong.

Most government entities, like the FBI and CIA, have performance test for their field personnel. For example, there is an assessment called the Secret Service Snatch Test. This involves taking a 53lb kettlebell and performing 200 Snatch reps with it in or under 10 minutes.

Kettlebell snatches require that a person swing a kettlebell from back between their legs to above their heads in one motion. For the test, the kettlebell can never be let go or put down. If you’ve done more than one at a time before, you know the amount of strength throughout your entire body this simple exercise requires. Being able to pass the test is an enormous accomplishment.

Training to be functionally fit will have far more benefits than just looking fit. Try it out and see how you feel.

About the Author: Author Marcus Martinez can show you how to your fitness objectives. For fitness tips view his free fitness programs concerning health & fitness.

Fitness Performance Before Looks is from Good Health Weekly

Many people are asking their doctors whether popular diets really work. They also want to find the best workouts for fitness and health. That’s probably because as a society we’re more sedentary than we used to be.

With so much time devoted to sedentary activities, such as working on computers or watching TV has created a world filled with people who weigh more than they want to. That also means we don’t have the same intuitive understanding of what is good for our bodies that our ancestors might have had.

Reading about health is a poor second to actual intuition, but at least there are many online health articles that people can learn from. These articles have done a lot to educate people about their health and the options available to them. And when people learn more about fitness, exercise and vitamins and minerals, that’s generally a good thing.

The trend in the last 100 years has been to move away from physical activity in our jobs, so it’s important to find ways to stay fit.

Just on the surface, people look and feel more attractive if they’re fit. But when you look deeper, you’ll find there are plenty of other reasons to stay in top condition. For example, people who focus on their health enjoy life more and usually live disease-free much longer.

Being fit simply gives them more quality time in their lives. These are great motivation to work on your health and fitness. If you need even more incentive, consider your friends and family. I’m sure they’d like you to stay healthy so they can have you around for as long as possible!

Do You Procrastinate About Your Health? is from Good Health Weekly