IN RECENT years, functional training has becoming an increasingly popular form of exercise.

But for those who have just started at the gym – or prefer to stick to the cardio and weight machines – it can seem like a daunting and different world.

In the latest of our fitness columns helping you to get in shape, our Cwmbran gym expert Rhys Jenkins explains what functional training is and how you can get involved.

Q. What is functional training?

The first reason why you might not have heard of it before, is because there is no universal definition for functional training.

"What it is is a widely debated question," Mr Jenkins said. "I would define it as training the body to help you perform everyday activities safely and more easily."

Type it in online and that is what you get – functional training is a type of exercise which involves training the body for the activities performed in daily life.

Mr Jenkins said: "The focus of functional training isn’t to be fit for something, it is to be fit for anything. The ability to run, jump and crawl. Pull, push and lift.

"It is about improving your quality of life as a whole, rather than focusing on one goal such as losing weight or toning your abs."

Q. How does it work?

Mr Jenkins said: "Functional exercises mimic the way the body is supposed to move and tend to use multiple, rather than individual, joints or muscles.

"A functional exercise might involve the elbows, shoulders, spine, hips, knees and the ankles."

The training is about improving, as well as doing exercise you are good at.

"Plans should be designed to work on your weaknesses, as well as your strengths," Mr Jenkins said. "Obviously people’s needs are different, so you need to have a plan in place specific to you.

"For example, a typist may need to build muscle strength to avoid injury, whereas someone who works with children will need to build their endurance and ability to lift."

Q. What are the benefits?

Functional training can lead to better joint movement, balance, flexibility, strength, posture agility and endurance. It will make everyday activities easier, reduce your risk of injury and improve your quality of life.

Your state of mind can benefit too. Mr Jenkins said: "The fact that you are becoming more self-sufficient can have an extremely positive effect on your mental well-being too. You will look good, feel good and be healthier.

"Functional exercise training may be especially beneficial as part of a rehabilitation programme for people who have suffered and injury, or are at risk of suffering further injury."

Q. Who can do it?

This is the good news – functional training can be done by people across all ages and walks of life. Whatever your occupation or age, this type of exercise can benefit you.

Q. What functional training exercises can we do?

Mr Jenkins said: "I would speak to a qualified specialist about your goals, you can then put a plan together and make use of the many exercises out there.

"Generally you are looking for multijoint and multimuscle exercises such as lunges, squats, deadlifts, push ups, pull ups and rotations.

"Equipment needed for functional training will be available in gyms and for purchase outside of gyms. You can even make your own."

He added that at Simply Gym, in Cwmbran, the team offers functional training. He said the gym's SYNRGY 360 rig allows for diverse group functional training in a fun environment and is "proving extremely popular".

Rhys Jenkins – general manager, Simply Gym Cwmbran

Rhys recently moved back from Aberdeen to become the general manager at the brand new Simply Gym in Cwmbran. He has worked in the fitness industry since he left university and has experience in personal training and many other roles. If you have any questions for Rhys you can email him at rhys.jenkins@simplygym.net