Fitness Roadtest: Functional Fitness
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Every now and then I get thrown a road test that puts me a little (or a lot) out of my comfort zone. When I got a call offering to trial out Functional Fitness (FUNC), I was a little nervous and intimidated. It sounded hard. When I found out it was a month of classes, training every weekday, I had a massive freak out. It had been a long time since I’d done strength training and to be honest I’d fallen a bit out of love with the idea of lifting heavy weights again.
Dave and the other coaches don’t know this, but the first time I turned up to the studio in Mitchell, I sat in my car for a solid ten minutes seriously contemplating the idea of turning around and heading home. “What if I can’t do it” and “I’m scared” are just some of the texts I was firing off in my crazy anxious state.
Well, I feel every bit the silly goose. Ten minutes after venturing from the refuge of my car and setting foot inside, I knew I had nothing to worry about. Dave and AJ welcomed me into the studio and a massive wave of relief flooded over me as we started the workout.
It doesn’t matter if you’ve been training your whole adult life or you’re just starting out – I wholeheartedly promise that you can do this. Because the classes are small (usually less than seven people), the coaches are able to keep a really close eye on you. You don’t have to worry about what resistance band, kettle bell or weight plate to get, the boys have got your back and guide you every step of the way. You never feel like a fool because you’re guided through each and every part of the exercise.
The exercises themselves are functional. There’s basic movements like squats, push ups, sit ups, pull ups, etc., but you’ll be combining them with skipping, box jumps, Olympic style lifts, sprints, mobility exercises, rowing… I couldn’t even name them all if I tried. Every workout is different, but not random.
Have you ever been to a gym class or personal training session several days in a row, and found every day you’re doing the same thing? This is one of my pet hates. Nothing is worse than trying to train muscles that are fatigued and sore. You won’t find any of this at Functional Fitness as the workouts are carefully designed to be unique and different.
The studios themselves couldn’t be further from your standard gym. You won’t find a machine (except a rower), cable or mirror in sight. That’s not what it’s about. I had the pleasure of visiting both the Woden and Mitchell locations, and I found the spaces well equipped and the coaches extremely knowledgeable.
Emblazoned on the wall are the words “Safe. Strong. Sexy.” These words, and in particular their order, are cornerstones of the Functional Fitness philosophy. First and foremost you’ll learn how to move safely and effectively. That means moving in a way that protects you from injury and makes your load lighter. By getting the hang of these movements, you’ll start to get strong and toned, and consequently sexy! I’d originally taken a “before” photo to compare my post road test body to, but that’s really not what Functional Fitness is about. Although I’ve definitely noticed significant changes in my body, it’s more about the things I’ve learnt and how that translates to training and to everyday life. I’m running faster and better, my posture has improved, and I’ve become more functional in my movements on a daily basis.
What blew me away most of all about Functional Fitness was my introductory session with coach Dave Nixon. If Functional Fitness is a way of life, then Dave is the total embodiment of that. His passion and knowledge are palpable, and he lives and breathes health and fitness. He explained the philosophy behind functional training, the way that it impacts your mind and body, and how to pair your training with a nutrient rich diet of wholefoods (“if it comes from the ground or has a mum, then it’s ok”). Best of all, you don’t sit there looking like a stunned mullet, because he engages in a way that’s easy to understand.
During the time that I was training at Functional Fitness, the business was on the cusp of a transformation. The menu of services have been extended to include a cleverly named array of workouts, including JIM (gymnastic fundamentals), OLY (olympic lifiting), BORIS (strength training), as well as mobility, high intensity sessions, adventure bootcamp, kickboxing and even Parkour – a kind of obstacle training.
Your fellow workout buddies are introduced before each session, and you get to know people quite well as you see the same familiar faces every day. I’ve never seen a fitness facility where there’s such a big sense of community. Despite the fact that new people join all the time, everyone seems so comfortable and at ease with each other. It really hits home that this isn’t just a gym; it’s a way of life.
I won’t sugar coat it: because of the personalised attention and style of training Functional Fitness is going to cost you more than a regular gym, but with memberships from $35 to $85 per week (for unlimited session access) it’s much less than a personal trainer. The good news is Functional Fitness is worth every penny and to sweeten the deal the longer you stay, the cheaper it gets. It’s an investment in your health and wellbeing. In fact, if you’re one of those people who pay to use a gym, boot camp, yoga, PT, or whatever the case may be, you’re more than likely to save some cash. Functional Fitness is quite literally a one-stop fitness shop that takes a holistic approach to transforming your body and your life.
the essentials
What: Functional Fitness
Where: 21 Bowes Place, Woden and 67 Vicars Street, Mitchell.
Web: funcfitness.com.au
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