For several years now, many gyms have set up rooms without machines or weights, dedicating them specifically to functional training. But what exactly is it? Simply put, it’s a workout performed using bodyweight exercises or simple equipment—such as relatively light dumbbells, barbells without weights, resistance bands, ankle weights, kettlebells, fluiballs, and mats—that engages the entire body.

The goal of functional training is to train the body to perform all the movements it normally makes, through exercises, repetitions, and circuits designed to strengthen and train the muscles deeply. This, in turn, is a real benefit for runners—whether they’re road runners or trail runners!

According to functional training personal trainers, the benefits are:

1. Functional training improves our ability to perform all the movements we repeat every day, ensuring that they are performed as effectively as possible and that they engage various kinetic chains;
2. Functional training develops all physical abilities—strength, power, speed, and endurance;
3. Functional training requires an extremely intense effort that always leads to results, including weight loss;
4. Functional training almost always involves a variety of exercises, so it never becomes monotonous or boring;
5. Functional training, like running, puts the mind to the test and also trains it;

So, my advice is to incorporate it into your weekly workouts, perhaps twice a week: after your first few sessions, no matter how fit you think you are… you’ll realize there’s still a lot, a lot left to do… and you’ll likely even discover muscles you didn’t even know you had!