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Are Trainers Focusing on Functional Training too Much and not Enough on Fat Loss?

By Andrew Voris

The other day I read an article from a very successful fitness information guru addressing the "functional training" craze. His concern was that when someone buys training and they are asking for a weight loss solution they are typically getting more of a corrective exercise program and not a weight loss program.

He wrote...

"the fitness industry has swung so far to the realm of 'physical therapy' we are forgetting the reason why clients go to a gym or fitness professional in the first place."

and goes on to say....

"If I am a fitness professional and the client pays me money to help them lose weight, then it is my goal to help them lose weight! Period."

I agree with Ryan however shouldn't a trainer be able to address both better movement patterns and obesity in the same client? Maybe the client is obese due to poor movement patterns if the movement patterns have caused inflammation of a joint and now the client hurts to move and is therefore more sedentary.

It's which came first the chicken or the egg with every client.

The inactivity will inhibit movement patterns just as poor movement patterns will cause a person to move less if they are in pain. Both become an issue equally.

If I do not address movement patterns in a weight loss program the pain that could occur from the poor movement patterns may be the very reason the client stops training!

Of course some athletes get an injury or develop a poor movement pattern and never get pain therefore never decrease activity but they can still improve performance by improving movement patterns.

Some people get fat from less activity and as Ryan said poor nutrition but most of these people will quickly develop poor movement patterns.

I hope I've proven my point!

The larger problem here which Ryan is addressing is obesity. I can help someone overcome a movement pattern problem far more easily than I can help them overcome an issue with obesity. Obesity is much more psychological in nature and needs to be dealt with in a much different way. The program needs to address the emotional reason they are obese as well.

Maybe this is why we see so many trainer opt for "functional training" rather than being a fat loss guru.

If you are not addressing the nutritional component with every client you make a big mistake. Every person in America needs to understand healthy eating and supplementation in order to be healthy and keep those around them healthy. I recommend every client at least look at Prograde Nutrition, nutrition generator, & Purfoods fitness. I help them decide how many calories they need and I share guidelines with them. They either partake themselves or tell others. My job is to inform and educate.

I agree with Ryan that obesity is a problem and that we do not have enough good trainers addressing obesity properly. The resources are available and I feel as soon as trainers catch on to these resources this will change.

I have managed a few very large health clubs and am amazed how many trainers do not know of Ryan Lee, Brian Grasso, Lee Taft, Eric Ruth, Pat Rigsby, and so on. These trainers are hiding under a rock. This information they provide and resources should be a staple for any trainer. This is what shows me that there are so many trainers that don't care.

When trainers start caring we will have a shift and a large impact on the obesity population.

About the Author:

Andrew Voris is a NASM certified personal trainer working out of his private office in Glen Ellyn, IL and out of Tri-City Fitness in St. Charles, IL. His websites are www.bodyformpersonaltraining.com & www.tri-cityfitness.com