September 19, 2007
Functionality and Wallball, by Greg Glassman - Aug 03 CFJ
Much is currently being made of "functional exercise." A Google search returned 950,000 hits for "functional exercise." Even a cursory review of the Internet sites featuring “functional exercise” would seem to support the notion that functional exercise is something done on/with Swiss Balls and rubber bands.
Physical therapists define functional exercise as exercise in multiple planes using multiple joints. Legendary seminarist Paul Chek has his own definition, but much of what is termed functional exercise seems to be specialized exercises closely linked to rehabilitation and physical therapy.
Where functional exercise is touted for athletic training it seems to be largely about "core" training – lots of Swiss ball and trunk work. While surely of some value, this is not the functionality that CrossFit is pursuing and it is our contention that the benefits of functional movements, as we’ll define them, exceed the orthopedic and neurological advantages generally cited by advocates of "functionality."
I had to post a comment, simply because I agree SOOO much. I am a chiropractor with a masters in Exercise Physiology. This mirrors what the PhD's teaching the exercise phys program as well as any fitness based course I took in my Chiropractic program, had said.
It is laughable what is being taught as functional in the medical world, how rehabilitation typically ignores functionality out of fear; when it is ultimately that true pursuit of function that will create the best outcomes... FUNCTION!
Sounds circular and ridiculous, but it is ridiculous that the world is being feigned into believing you somehow are going to pull last years flowers out of the ground, better, and with less pain, if you bounce on your theraball 5 minutes a day. I cannot tell you how many patients I have seen over the years who are self defined fit, yet they are weak, and when they go spread mulch for an afternoon, they are broken.
I have attempted to put every single patient I see on to Crossfit for the last two years, and I will continue. I want a world of healthy, and functional people, and there is absolutely no better program yet, than Crossfit. God Bless you Coach! I approach my chiropractic message as Grass Roots, and Crossfit is Grass Roots as well. As soon as I can afford the time, I'll be launching an affiliate here to start pecking away at the elliptical fitness that currently rules the masses.
