Functional Strength Training
The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommends incorporating strength training into your routine. The recommendation is to do eight to 10 strength training exercises, eight to 12 repetitions of each exercise twice a week. This can be accomplished using dumbbells, resistance bands or your own body weight. Functional strength training, also know as specificity training, is an effective and practical approach to meeting this recommendation.
Defining Functional Strength Training
- Exercises should be similar to the task of daily living or sporting events.
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Exercises should activate a number of muscles crossing more than one joint.
- Exercises should often include those performed with the feet on the ground. Many of life’s tasks are performed with feet on the ground.
Simple Equipment for Functional Strength Training
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Dumbbells
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Stability Ball
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Bench
- Stairs or Step Box
Contact Marquette Employee Wellness
Marquette University Department of Exercise Science
College of Health Sciences
Schroeder Health Complex, Room 235
P.O. Box 1881
Milwaukee, WI 53201-1881
