Barnham & Bailey

Most first attempts on an eliptical cross-trainer are failures, regardless of the condition of the subject. The reason, not always apparent, is lack of skill. Most subjects fatigue early because the novelty of the movement (the use of muscles in a different way) forces premature fatigue. Just as true, after a few sessions with the new tool, muscles learn more efficient patterns of movement which delays the onset of fatigue. Soon, what was perceived as "extremely difficult," becomes mundanely routine. The body figures out the skill patterns required to pull it off.

The same with the novelty of functional training. Those who take up the challenge are first mystified by the level of difficulty in an attempt to learn something that appears simple. Why can't my strong, conditioned muscles handle this easy task (easy because it lacks external resistance)? The initial failure leads us to believe that our current routine is missing something, that the new method is superior.

Don't be misled.

The reason you cannot do some of the things asked of functional trainers is that you are being forced to re-tool. And until the body figures out the best way to handle the situation, you will flounder. In the meantime you and your peers might mistaken the novel activity as "a challenging workout" or "really hard."

Don't be fooled.

The only thing gained from such a workout, unless you are totally deconditioned, is a novel set of skills. Functional training is, first and foremost, skill training. I don't know about you but if I want skill training, I go to a coach - a tennis or golf pro - someone who can improve my skill to better my game. I go to the gym to improve strength, flexibility, cardiovascular condition, body composition and to protect myself from injury when I immerse myself in those skill situations. I don't workout to increase skill or learn a set of unrelated activities -UNRELATED regardless of what the trainer says.

If you want new skills, do functional training. If you want what you could and should get from a quality program, do something else.

Dont be fooled by the majority who loudly proclaim: "Bring on the clowns!"