What is functional movement?

Functional movement exercises mirror everyday activities to make it easier and less painful to perform them. Getting in and out of a chair, walking properly and safely, reaching, lifting, carrying items, getting up from the floor, opening a jar, gardening… 

How are these classes and exercises different from other senior fitness classes?

• They’re specifically designed to loosen and strengthen stiff joints and muscles to make daily movement easier and to relieve pain.  
• We add a learning component. We explain things like what balance is and what causes falls, to help you prevent them.
• Before you start exercising with us, we ask for a brief history of illnesses and injuries that may affect your ability to perform certain actions. We advise you what you can do to monitor yourself and keep yourself safe while working out.
• We explain why we do the exercise, how to do them properly, which muscles are impacted by and exercise, and offer modifications to any exercise to accommodate individual difficulties with a movement.
• And unlike other balance and mobility programs, we incorporate movements that retrain the brain and muscles to react quickly to changing, and possibly dangerous, conditions.
• As a part of one class each month, the group does a brief fitness assessment to chart their own progress. When you recognize your accomplishments, it helps to keep you on track and looking forward to the class instead of dreading it.