Functional Training vs Isolation Training

If you are new to the exercise world, words such as functional training and isolation training might confuse you. This article will help you understand the nuances of the two and choose the one that is best suited for achieving your fitness goal.

Functional training is the newest fad in the training world. It stimulates everyday activities like walking, running, bending, standing, lunging, pushing and twisting. All of these activities have a natural smooth rhythm in them.  It works on several muscle groups in one go. That is why it is also known as compound exercise. Some of the popular compound exercises are – squats, lunges, bench press and snatches.

Unlike other forms of exercise that focus on increasing the force-producing capacity of the muscles, functional training works by improving the coordination between the muscular and the nervous systems.

It is said that 30 minutes of functional training is very effective as it helps in a complete body workout, leading to burning of calories. It produces more endurance and a faster metabolism, thus, giving the trainee a leaner look. Also, this form of training does not require any machine training, and therefore, it is safer, making the trainee less prone to injuries.

A drawback of functional training is that it focuses on primary muscles and neglects the small muscles, which crave for workout. This creates an imbalance in the body. Nevertheless, functional training is sustainable.

Isolation training, as its name suggests, isolates a specific muscle or joint at a time and strengthens it with complete workout. It does so through machines, but it makes the body susceptible to injuries. Dumbbell curl, leg extension and peck fly are some of the popular isolation training exercises.

Used extensively in therapies and rehab centres, isolation training treats and strengthens a particular muscle, while those muscles that are already tired can get complete rest without impacting the workout. 

At times isolation training might become boring and monotonous as it lacks the dynamic factor. Still, following isolation training lends to a much-coveted chiseled physique.

All in all, experts suggest that to get the maximum benefit, one must include the best of both the training programs in the regime on a regular basis.