I’ve really enjoyed hearing Dorian Yates, 6x Mr Olympia, speak about his recent switch to Functional training in order to prioritize fascial connections that relate to human biology and long term health, as opposed to the isolated hypertrophy and muscle growth that he prioritized for his competitions in earlier years. Many young people can learn from his actions here, as the bodybuilding ethos that led him to where he is remains popular among many, despite the potential for bad long-term consequences to bodily function and health. I hope his leadership can help others have a better discernment for training their body in a way that supports them into their much older years. Functional Patterns gives people training priorities and techniques that actually support them as the years go by, aligning with the natural functions of the human body: standing, walking, running, and throwing.
In a recent instagram post with his physio, Dorian shows himself working on his glutes and lateral lines with a patented Functional Patterns tool, the Leverage King. It’s wonderful to see this, because the FP community has been trying to communicate to the fitness industry for a long time that there are more optimal priorities in training that one can have to develop glute and overall strength without compromising athletic function (See @thedorianyates on Instagram if interested in observing this movement, a leg abduction variation that can emphasize glute challenge and lateral line connectivity). Utilizing the Leverage King is a wonderful option for this, and it allows you to develop your legs and hips while supporting the natural function of multidimensional spinal movement (as opposed to the compressive stiffness and risk that a barbell squat my cause).