Functional exercise is not only okay for kids but can be highly beneficial for their overall health, fitness, and development. Functional exercises mimic natural movement patterns, such as squatting, reaching, pulling, and pushing, which are part of everyday activities.
For children, these exercises are often integrated into play, sports, or structured physical activities, making them fun and engaging.
They help improve strength, balance, coordination, flexibility, and endurance while supporting the development of healthy movement habits that can reduce the risk of injury.
Functional exercise also enhances motor skills, which are crucial for sports performance and other physical activities.
For instance, exercises like jumping, crawling, or climbing improve agility and spatial awareness, contributing to better athleticism and confidence.
Importantly, functional exercise should always be age-appropriate and supervised to ensure safety. Young children, for example, benefit from bodyweight exercises or light resistance using tools like resistance bands, rather than heavyweights.
Activities like yoga, obstacle courses, or dance are excellent examples of functional exercises that blend fun with physical benefits. Additionally, these exercises promote mental well-being by releasing endorphins, reducing stress, and building self-esteem.
As children grow, functional training can also help address postural imbalances, especially important in today’s age of screen time and sedentary habits.