There is a lot of misunderstanding about Functional strength & many so – called functional training regimes/exercises miss the point

The word strength implies – power – if someone or something is referred to as being strong, we think of big/muscular/powerful etc.

BUT functional strength doesn’t mean this – it just means the ability of that part to function properly – ie. To have Good Function

Good Function means that the joint/limb/muscle/ligament/tendon/part – can do what it’s designed for/capable of doing

So, if a knee has Functional strength, it can flex properly, it can support your weight – on one leg when necessary - it can act as a shock absorber for your pelvis, it can twist to a certain point if required etc.

- it doesn’t mean that it’s big & bulky

If a steering rack on a car has functional strength it can turn your car the desired amount to either side in a smooth/consistent fashion

Often, you’ll see people throwing around heavy weights, or swinging weights in bizarre ways (kettle bell between their knees) & they’ll say they are doing functional training – which is questionable – what functional movement are they improving ?

Functional training is just doing exercises or stretches that either bring back or improve our natural functional movement

Using heavy weights to do this is rarely necessary & actually often will inhibit or impair functional movement

For example, taking your shoulder joint through its arc of movement will get worse not better if you use heavy weights

Muscular strength is different from functional strength  

Sometimes we need to, or it is beneficial to improve muscular strength – sometimes the two go hand in hand – but Functional strength should always be the priority, so be aware of the goal !