@ Ben: I do indeed get where you are going and you lay it out well. That’s a very interesting insight, that it is the sports-specific training and not the GPP that is the ‘functional’ part of the training.

It’s also interesting that you are a Crossfit affiliate: how do you reconcile this view with the concept of Crossfit as completely generalist and non-sports specific? It sounds like you are agreeing with Mark that all training with a particular aim in mind is necessarily ‘sport-specific’ (although I’m not sure I agree with your characterisation of nappy changing as a sport. Maybe it’s because I don’t have kids….)

@ Steven: I’ll definitely look at your posture and stretching advice!

Rectitudo Omnimodo! (that’s from the dictionary, not from my education.)

As I am following your exercise advice, perhaps you will
adopt some of my de-computerfying stretch advice on the
website and blog.

The periodisation model developed by Bompa and other Soviet coaches advocates a period of GPP or all round non specific training in the non competitive phases or “off seasons”- the athlete then moves on the SSP sport specific preparation which can be deemed “functional” to improve performance for the particular sport/discipline then onto the “season” or competitive phase where maintaining performance is key.
As you know these phases can be split into smaller microcycles for specific goals again- e.g. improved plantar flexion, increased lactate threshold tolerance or whatever.

The confusion- I believe- has arisen from the mis-labelling of the GPP phase as “functional fitness” where really SSP is the “functional phase”. The relevant difference being the individual’s “Sport”- which can be anything from military/first response through to maybe just general health or changing nappies…regardless of this though- for any training to be functional or improve their performance in any desired area- they must be doing SSP- it’s just that their “sport” is known by a different name and the parameters of that “sport” govern what is functional within it.

Sounds like semantics…but you get where I’m going?

What’s Functional fitness? Well it’s another one of those questions that are all about personal targets and perceptions. Also functional fitness is another statement that has been banded about just like core stability training, circuit training, bums n tums, etc etc, another way of attracting people to class so that they spend money.

But what is functional?

Is it the ability to run – jump – push – pull – lift etc, all movements that are required for daily life of course, BUT, the requirements to do this are individual to all of us, life, job, family, sport, your own goals will all have an impact on where you choose to be on the performance ladder.

The question of what is Functional fitness will never be answered due to the fact that everyone will argue their corner. Bodybuilders – Crossfit – Gym Jones – Globo gyms etc, including me, my idea of functional fitness is not in agreement with everyone else. Take the afore mentioned:

Bodybuilding: Is it functional? Yes of course if you are a bodybuilder it allows you to do what you choose to do in your sport and life, so in it’s own world is it functional? Yes, but it is also highly specific.

Crossfit: Is it functional? Yes. in the world of CF and short duration anerobic work situations 100%, but by the very nature of having specific WOD’s and timings and required weights etc it has become specific in its own world. But functional to ALL aspects of life/sport? NO.

We could go on and talk about functional training, movements etc but you will never reach an answer, as no matter what people say, it will always come down to each individuals targets/task etc. So even if you train in a purley GPP arena, for all contingencies, doesn’t that mean that you are training specifically for multiple tasks? I think so.

Functional training is what best mimicks, adapts and allows the improved performance of your chosen goals. No matter what they are.

They are just words, two words strung together to give it a name, nothing more.

The importance for me is about improved PERFORMANCE in whatever the task maybe and if a bicep curl gave me that in a task that I was required to do, would that not make a bicep curl functional? For me the answer is yes.

Gubernatrix – nice shout, most people don’t get that it’s Latin. It is the ‘helmswoman’ meaning but I prefer the later meaning of ‘she that directs or points the way’. Would have been Hodegetria in Greek but I decided to go Roman, plus I’m not a virgin icon!

I used my business website in the comment form, but my blog is perhaps more interesting: http://positive-massage.blogspot.com/

As a massage therapist, my perspective comes from dealing with pain and injury more than athletic goals. I’m fairly fanatical about posture too.

Does your name signify helmswoman, or the cardinal?