Topic

Functional Fitness Exercises

Browse 62 articles about functional fitness exercises on LiftStrong. Evidence-based training and nutrition advice to help you get stronger and build muscle.

62 articles

Strength Training

Functional Fitness: Exercises That Improve Everyday Life Activities

Read our comprehensive guide on functional fitness: exercises that improve everyday life activities.

3 min·Jeff·Aug 20, 2024

Strength Training

Rucking for Strength Athletes: Why Lifters Are Strapping on Weight and Walking

Rucking combines loaded walking with outdoor training to build conditioning, posterior chain endurance, and mental toughness -- without sacrificing muscle.

8 min·Jeff·Apr 5, 2026

Strength Training

Single-Leg Training: Why Unilateral Work Makes You Stronger

Your dominant leg is doing more work than you think. Single-leg exercises expose and fix imbalances, build real-world stability, and can even increase your bilateral squat and deadlift numbers.

8 min·Olivia·Mar 8, 2026

Strength Training

The Benefits of Compound Exercises in Strength Training

Discover how compound exercises can revolutionize your strength training. Build muscle, burn calories, and boost overall fitness with these efficient workouts.

6 min·Jeff·Aug 19, 2024

Bodyweight

10 Best Bodyweight Exercises for Total Fitness—No Equipment Needed

Discover the top 10 bodyweight exercises to achieve total fitness without any equipment. Get fit anywhere with these effective, equipment-free workouts.

4 min·Jeff·Sep 12, 2024

Strength Training

4-Week Kettlebell-Only Workout Plan for Total Body Conditioning

Transform your fitness with our 4-week kettlebell workout plan. Build strength, endurance & power with full-body exercises. Get started now!

5 min·Jeff·Aug 20, 2024

Strength Training

Functional Strength Training: Exercises for Everyday Life

Read our comprehensive guide on functional strength training: exercises for everyday life.

4 min·Jeff·Aug 19, 2024

Workouts

45-Minute Functional Fitness Workout Using Battle Ropes and Sandbags

Read our comprehensive guide on 45-minute functional fitness workout using battle ropes and sandbags.

3 min·Jeff·Aug 19, 2024

Strength Training

Desk Worker Strength Training: Fix Your Body After 8 Hours of Sitting

Sitting all day wrecks your posture, tightens your hips, and weakens your glutes. Here is how to build a training program that undoes the damage and makes you stronger.

9 min·Jeff·Apr 5, 2026

Strength Training

Grip Strength Training: The Complete Guide for Lifters

Your grip is the weak link in your deadlift, your rows, and your carries. Here is how to build crushing grip strength with a simple, progressive program.

10 min·Jeff·Apr 5, 2026

Bodyweight

The Complete Guide to Dips: Chest and Triceps Builder

Dips are one of the best upper body exercises most people do wrong. Here is how to do them right, progress from zero to weighted, and build a bigger chest and stronger triceps.

6 min·Sam·Mar 28, 2026

Supplements

Ashwagandha for Lifters: What the Research Actually Says

Ashwagandha is one of the most popular supplements in fitness right now. Here is an honest look at the evidence for strength, muscle building, testosterone, and stress reduction.

5 min·Olivia·Mar 28, 2026

Muscle Building

What Happens When You Stop Lifting: The Science of Detraining

Missed a week? A month? Three months? Here is exactly what happens to your strength, muscle, and fitness when you stop training, and how fast you can get it all back.

9 min·Sam·Jan 12, 2026

Strength Training

How to Program Accessory Work Around Your Main Lifts

Your main lifts build the foundation. Your accessories fill in the gaps. Here is how to choose, organize, and progress accessory work so it actually supports your big lifts instead of just adding fatigue.

8 min·Olivia·Jan 25, 2026

Strength Training

Sticking Points: Why Your Lift Stalls and How to Fix It

Everyone has a point in the squat, bench, or deadlift where the bar just stops. That sticking point tells you exactly what is weak and how to fix it.

9 min·Jeff·Feb 5, 2026

Strength Training

Conditioning for Lifters: Cardio That Won't Kill Your Gains

You can be strong and well-conditioned at the same time. The trick is choosing the right type, amount, and timing of cardio so it supports your lifting instead of undermining it.

8 min·Sam·Feb 8, 2026

Muscle Building

Blood Flow Restriction Training: Build Muscle With Lighter Weights

BFR training uses elastic wraps or cuffs to partially restrict blood flow during light-weight exercises, triggering muscle growth at loads as low as 20-30% of your max.

8 min·Sam·Mar 8, 2026

Recovery

How to Deload: When to Back Off and Why It Makes You Stronger

Deloading is not laziness. A planned recovery week every 4-6 weeks dissipates fatigue while preserving fitness, setting you up for bigger PRs when you return.

8 min·Jeff·Feb 19, 2026

Muscle Building

The Best Bicep Exercises Ranked by EMG Activation

We ranked the top bicep exercises by muscle activation data. Some of the results will change how you train arms.

8 min·Jeff·Feb 8, 2026

Training Techniques

How to Do Dips Properly: Chest vs Tricep Variations

Dips are one of the best upper body exercises if you do them right. Here is how to target your chest or triceps and avoid shoulder problems.

10 min·Jeff·Feb 10, 2026

Training Techniques

Overhead Press vs Lateral Raises: Best Shoulder Exercises Compared

Both exercises build shoulders, but they do it in completely different ways. Here is when to prioritize each one and how to program them together.

10 min·Jeff·Feb 10, 2026

Injury Prevention

How to Train with Lower Back Pain Safely

Lower back pain does not mean you have to stop training. Here is how to keep lifting while your back heals, plus exercises that actually help.

11 min·Jeff·Feb 10, 2026

Injury Prevention

Shoulder Impingement: Exercises to Fix and Prevent It

That pinching pain when you raise your arm overhead? Probably shoulder impingement. Here is what causes it and the exercises that actually fix it.

12 min·Jeff·Feb 10, 2026

Fitness Lifestyle

Gym Anxiety: How to Get Over Being Intimidated at the Gym

That nervous feeling before walking into the gym is more common than you think. Here is how to deal with it from someone who has been there.

11 min·Jeff·Feb 10, 2026

Fitness Lifestyle

How to Stay Consistent with Training When Motivation Fades

Motivation got you started but it will not keep you going. Here is how to build a training habit that survives the inevitable slumps.

12 min·Jeff·Feb 10, 2026

Fitness Lifestyle

Training Journal: How to Track Your Workouts Effectively

If you are not tracking your workouts, you are guessing. Here is exactly what to record, how to use the data, and why most people overcomplicate this.

10 min·Jeff·Feb 10, 2026

Fitness Lifestyle

Home Gym Setup Guide: What to Buy on Any Budget

You do not need ten thousand dollars to build a solid home gym. Here is what to buy at every price point from budget to dream setup.

12 min·Jeff·Feb 10, 2026

Fitness Lifestyle

How to Find a Good Personal Trainer: Red Flags and Green Flags

Most personal trainers are mediocre at best. Here is how to spot the good ones, avoid the bad ones, and not waste your money.

11 min·Jeff·Feb 10, 2026

Fitness Lifestyle

Workout Music: Does It Actually Improve Performance?

We all have our gym playlists but does music actually make you stronger? The research says yes, with some interesting caveats.

11 min·Jeff·Feb 10, 2026

Fitness Lifestyle

Body Dysmorphia in Men: The Fitness Industry Hidden Problem

Nobody talks about how the pursuit of a better physique can turn into an obsession that ruins your relationship with your own body. We need to talk about it.

14 min·Jeff·Feb 10, 2026

Fitness Lifestyle

How Long Does It Take to See Results from Working Out?

The honest timeline for visible changes from exercise, backed by research and years of coaching real people with real bodies.

13 min·Jeff·Feb 10, 2026

Fitness Lifestyle

Returning to the Gym After a Long Break: Comeback Guide

Whether you took a month off or a year, here is how to come back to the gym without injuring yourself or losing your mind.

12 min·Jeff·Feb 10, 2026

Fitness Lifestyle

Training with a Partner vs Solo: Which Gets Better Results?

Some people swear by training partners. Others would rather train alone. Here is what the research and real experience say about which approach gets better results.

12 min·Jeff·Feb 10, 2026

HIIT & Cardio

The Ultimate 20-Minute HIIT Workout

No time? No excuses. This 20-minute session torches fat and builds functional strength.

1 min·Sam·Feb 8, 2025

Strength Training

How to Train Around Injuries and Still Build Strength

Injured but eager to maintain your fitness? Discover effective strategies and workouts to safely build strength while training around injuries.

3 min·Jeff·Feb 20, 2025

Strength Training

10 Best Free Weight Exercises for Beginners

Read our comprehensive guide on 10 best free weight exercises for beginners.

5 min·Jeff·Sep 22, 2024

Nutrition

Whey vs. Casein vs. Plant Protein: Which is Best for Your Fitness Goals?

Read our comprehensive guide on whey vs. casein vs. plant protein: which is best for your fitness goals?.

3 min·Jeff·Aug 20, 2024

Recovery

Strength Training for Improved Flexibility and Mobility

Strength training can boost flexibility and mobility by building strength through a full, pain-free range of motion. This guide explains the science and gives exercises and programs you can start today.

9 min·Jeff·Aug 19, 2024

Strength Training

Boost Your Fitness: Efficient 30-Minute Sunday Workout for Busy Schedules

Read our comprehensive guide on boost your fitness: efficient 30-minute sunday workout for busy schedules.

2 min·Jeff·Feb 9, 2025

Strength Training

Slow Reps vs. Fast Reps: Finding the Optimal Tempo for Your Workouts

When you step into the gym, you’ll notice a variety of lifting styles. Some people power through their reps with speed, while others take a slow and controlled approach. This begs the question: which tempo is more effective for your fitness goals?

3 min·Jeff·Sep 21, 2024

Recovery

How to Fix Anterior Pelvic Tilt: Exercises and Stretches

Read our comprehensive guide on how to fix anterior pelvic tilt: exercises and stretches.

3 min·Jeff·Aug 20, 2024

Strength Training

Winter Workout Gear Guide: What You Actually Need

Discover the essential winter workout gear you actually need for cold weather training. Expert guide to layering, accessories, and smart investments for winter fitness.

4 min·Jeff·Nov 27, 2024

Strength Training

Winter Sports Preparation: Strength Training for Skiing and Snowboarding

Transform your skiing performance with our 6-week strength training guide. Learn essential exercises for injury prevention and enhanced mountain performance this winter.

4 min·Jeff·Nov 26, 2024

Strength Training

The Future of Fitness: 2025 Strength Training Revolution

Discover cutting-edge gym trends, AI-powered workouts, and science-backed training plans for optimal strength gains in 2025. Transform your fitness.

3 min·Jeff·Oct 27, 2024

Strength Training

7-Day Full-Body Fitness Plan for Strength and Conditioning

A structured 7-day training split with RPE-based intensity, specific warmups, and honest talk about recovery demands. Built for intermediates with 6+ months of training experience.

13 min·Jeff·Oct 3, 2024

Muscle Building

The Ultimate Strength-Focused Workout Plan: Build Muscle and Boost Strength

Discover the most effective strength training program to build muscle mass, increase strength, and enhance your overall fitness levels.

1 min·Jeff·Oct 13, 2024

Supplements

What Are BCAA’s? Benefits of Branch Chain Amino Acids

Discover the benefits of BCAA supplements for muscle growth, recovery, and overall health. Learn how leucine, isoleucine & valine can boost your fitness in 2024. Plus, get answers to common BCAA questions.

10 min·Jeff·Aug 29, 2024

Strength Training

Transitioning Your Fitness Routine from Summer to Fall

Adapt your fitness routine for fall: Set new goals, adjust for cooler weather, and embrace seasonal activities to stay active and motivated.

4 min·Jeff·Sep 23, 2024

Strength Training

Building Bigger Biceps Without Weights: The Ultimate Guide

Discover how to build impressive biceps without weights. Learn 6 essential bodyweight exercises, workout routines, and expert tips for maximum arm gains at home.

4 min·Jeff·Oct 2, 2024

HIIT & Cardio

30-Day HIIT Challenge: Burn Fat and Build Muscle in Just 20 Minutes a Day

Transform your body in just 20 minutes a day with our 30-Day HIIT Challenge. Discover the science-backed plan to torch fat, build lean muscle & boost your fitness fast.

5 min·Jeff·Aug 20, 2024

Pull-Up Training

Zero to 10 Pull-Ups in 30 Days: Beginner's Guide and Workout Plan

A 4-week pull-up program with specific exercises, sets, reps, and progression for going from zero pull-ups to your first 10. Includes dead hangs, negatives, band-assisted work, and inverted rows.

16 min·Jeff·Aug 20, 2024

Pull-Up Training

Pull-Up Alternatives: 15 Exercises for Back Strength Without a Bar

Read our comprehensive guide on pull-up alternatives: 15 exercises for back strength without a bar.

3 min·Jeff·Aug 20, 2024

Muscle Building

Top 20 Compound Exercises for Building Mass

Read our comprehensive guide on top 20 compound exercises for building mass.

3 min·Jeff·Aug 20, 2024

Muscle Building

Best Strength Training Exercises for Building Muscle Mass

Read our comprehensive guide on best strength training exercises for building muscle mass.

3 min·Jeff·Aug 19, 2024

Pull-Up Training

Pull-Up Bar Exercises: Full Body Workout Using Just a Bar

Read our comprehensive guide on pull-up bar exercises: full body workout using just a bar.

3 min·Jeff·Aug 20, 2024

Pull-Up Training

Rock Climbing and Pull-Up Strength: How They Complement Each Other

Discover how pull-up strength can revolutionize your rock climbing performance. Learn the best exercises and techniques to build power and endurance on the wall.

3 min·Jeff·Aug 20, 2024

HIIT & Cardio

How to Build a Balanced Fitness Routine: Cardio, Strength, and Flexibility

Read our comprehensive guide on how to build a balanced fitness routine: cardio, strength, and flexibility.

4 min·Jeff·Aug 20, 2024

Muscle Building

Isometric Exercises for Muscle Hypertrophy: Incorporating Static Holds

Read our comprehensive guide on isometric exercises for muscle hypertrophy: incorporating static holds.

3 min·Jeff·Aug 20, 2024

Workouts

15-Minute Morning Routine: Dumbbell Exercises to Start Your Day

Read our comprehensive guide on 15-minute morning routine: dumbbell exercises to start your day.

3 min·Jeff·Aug 19, 2024

Workouts

30-Minute Medicine Ball Workout for Functional Strength

Read our comprehensive guide on 30-minute medicine ball workout for functional strength.

3 min·Jeff·Aug 19, 2024

Strength Training

How to Combine Strength Training with Other Fitness Disciplines

Read our comprehensive guide on how to combine strength training with other fitness disciplines.

3 min·Jeff·Aug 19, 2024

Bodyweight

Bodyweight Strength Training Exercises for Home Workouts

Read our comprehensive guide on bodyweight strength training exercises for home workouts.

3 min·Jeff·Aug 19, 2024

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