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The Functional Fitness Frenzy Taking Over Fitness 💦

Group-based fitness and functional training is a hot topic right now in the world of health and wellness.

This exciting trend combines the motivation and social benefits of group classes with movements that build real-world strength.

Let’s explore the exciting realm of group-based fitness and functional training.

Defining Functional Fitness

While lifting weights and running have their place in fitness, functional training works multiple muscle groups at once through compound exercises like squats, farmer’s carries, and rotational movements.

By mimicking actions we do every day, it builds core strength and endurance to make daily demands feel easier on your body.

The Power of Community Motivation

CrossFit pioneered intense small-group training centered around compound functional movements.

But brands like F45 popularized team-based circuit formats done in infectious high energy environments.

Top trainer Dani Coleman says she’s noticed that group dynamics motivate participants to go harder than solo training.

"When we think about archaic ideas of working out, we think, 'No pain, no gain,' but we really want to challenge that conversation and say, 'Hey, you can feel good doing your workouts and get the results that you want,'" said Dani.

"It's really about sustainability and longevity."

Functional Focus Reshapes Workouts

From orangetheory to Les Mills, fitness pros are retooling programs around functional movements.

Orangetheory's new 50-minute Strength workout divides time between total body, upper body and lower body training to build transferable strength.

Legendary group fitness creator Les Mills makes a reformer-inspired foray into functional training with its fresh bodyweight workout Shapes.

The class fuses Pilates, barre and yoga focused on engaging muscles for better posture and injury resilience.

Even Nike is jumping on the functional bandwagon with a foray into group fitness. 

Mainstream gyms are catching on, too, shifting group class offerings toward more functional movements.

With growth projections suggesting the global health and fitness club market size will expand to reach $125 billion by 2030, functional fitness captures serious market share.

Mobility and Mood Boost

There are also growing options for more gentle programs, welcoming a wider range of people across a broader range of ages and abilities.

Les Mills' Thrive can even improve mobility in aging populations!

While hardcore HIIT-style training retains devotees, mindfulness and recovery practices balance intense exertion for more holistic benefits.

Accessibility, Inclusion, and The Changing Face of Fitness

Beginners can thrive in "no ego" environments, with more studios providing modified workout choices based on ability and fitness levels.

Low-impact options are also a great choice, opening doors for deconditioned newcomers, plus weekend warriors recovering from sports injuries.

And as for what health and wellness might look like in the future – top fitness executive Debbie Bellingar believes that exercise and fitness could see a major change.

“The future is about programming in the mental health and wellbeing space: shorter exercise sessions and teaching life-skills, such as meditation, nutrition basics, sleep hygiene, stress management and more.

Give It a Try!

Curious whether group functional training is right for your goals? Many studios offer introductory specials to try their classes out.

The benefits of your typical cardio or strength-training sessions are still effective as ever.

But when it comes to enjoying and sustaining interest in your fitness journey, group-based options could be the way of the future.