Clever training for the whole body

How can we find the ideal fitness equipment? One that fits in perfectly with our own needs and permits daily movement hygiene that cares for the body functions?

Fortunately, that is not so difficult when you know what to look for. Functional fitness equipment is ideal when it trains as many of the groups of muscles in the body as possible, such as a function board with telescopic bars. This can be used to stretch most of the joints and enhance their mobility. Needless to say that such equipment should also be easy to use to warrant correct exercising.

What should good fitness equipment be able to do?

Clever engineers have developed functional fitness equipment that not only improves the mobility of joint systems but can also be used to strengthen and stretch specific groups of muscles. One important selection criterion consists in being simple to use while also highly effective at the same time - this is the difference between good and not so good fitness equipment. A function board with telescopic bars fulfils exactly these requirements.

Good function boards permit physiological i.e. natural movements. They can be used for exercises that make optimum demands of different muscular functions. As well as muscular strength, mobility and coordination, they also improve muscular holding tension. This is important for preventing pain.

Furthermore, function boards also permit multi-dimensional movements with multiple joints. They can therefore be used not just for fitness training but also in prevention, therapy and rehabilitation and in many places such as school, clubs or in the home.

What really matters: activating the myofascial chains

Multi-dimensional movements with multiple joints are important because they train what are known as the myofascial chains. These muscle/connective tissue structures extend over several joints and are responsible for controlling physiological i.e. natural movement sequences. Training muscles along these original movement paths helps to build up specific muscles while also eliminating dysbalances.

This refers to muscular dysbalances related to muscular imbalance, for example between abdomen and spine muscles or between the left and right half of the body. The body loses its natural body tension, resulting in many complaints: backache and other problems with muscles and joints are then a foregone conclusion. The right functional fitness equipment can help to eliminate these deficits again quickly or even prevent them from developing in the first place.

If the fitness equipment is also capable of relaxing parts of the body that tend to get tense, such as the shoulder, back or neck, then that makes the training perfect. A good function board with telescopic bars must be suitable for variable use when standing, sitting, kneeling and lying down. It goes without saying that it also has to be non-slip and, above all, easy to clean. Good fitness equipment also needs detailed handling and exercising instructions in the interests of optimum functional fitness training.

• The aim is to mobilise joint systems and to stabilise and stretch selected groups of muscles. The equipment therefore has to be designed accordingly, for example by offering controlled movement sequences with ball-and-socket bars. This also allows for multi-dimensional exercises for multiple joints.
• It must be possible to adjust the equipment to the size of the individual user.
• The equipment must not be restricted just to fitness: it must be suitable for varied use in rehabilitation and therapy, and also, essentially, in prevention.
• The equipment must guarantee secure contact with the floor. It may not slip in use (also when used in all the different positions such as standing, sitting, lying down, kneeling, etc.)
• Simple cleaning must be possible in the interests of hygienic.
• The function board user must be given detailed handling and exercising instructions to ensure that the exercises are carried out correctly.

Minimum requirements

• Suitable for use in prevention, therapy and rehabilitation
• Enhancement of joint system mobility
• Specific strengthening and stretching of selected muscle groups
• Must permit multi-dimensional exercising for multiple joints
• Used in various positions (e.g. standing, sitting, kneeling, lying down)
• Must warrant relief of the joints while exercising
• Must permit controlled movement sequences
• Must be possible to vary and change the physical effort required
• Secure floor contact, may not slip
• Understandable, detailed training instructions
• Easy to clean

Also appropriate

• Can be combined with other sport equipment or therapeutic aids
• Accessories for specific target groups (e.g. forearm supports, handle straps)

Unfortunately none at present.