I was first attracted to Functional Fitness because it was counterculture.
I was first drawn to Functional Fitness because it offered a refreshing alternative to the mainstream fitness industry. Having spent a decade in the field, I grew tired of the misinformation, pseudoscience, and deceptive practices that seemed to dominate the landscape. I wanted to be a coach, not a myth-buster. Functional Fitness emerged as a beacon of truth in the midst of this chaos, presenting a straightforward and untarnished approach to fitness.
Back in 2015, Functional Fitness was a movement that embraced its rawness and authenticity. Functional Fitness gyms were unapologetically gritty, with chalk-dusted floors, images of calloused hands proudly displayed online, and the occasional friendly dog roaming around. I immersed myself in the competitive side of Functional Fitness, exploring its connection with the Paleo diet and the Zone diet. I was eager to embrace anything that challenged the status quo in the fitness world.
However, as time went on, I came to realize that even Functional Fitness had its own set of dogmas. I decided to dial it back a bit, distancing myself from slogans like “your workout is our warm-up” and T-shirts with provocative messages. It became clear that the movement itself was evolving, and what was once radical was slowly becoming the new norm. Even the conventional globo gyms started incorporating elements like bumper plates and pull-up bars, recognizing the changing tides.
So, what’s the new radical in the fitness world today? What are the trendsetters and early adopters pursuing? It’s taking control of their health. Unlike previous generations, who may have relied on a social security safety net, our generation can’t afford to wait for solutions to be handed to us. We can’t expect food to magically appear or doctors to proactively monitor our well-being. No one is checking your temperature until you’re already sick, and no one will carry you until you’re in a casket.
Yet, despite this awareness, many of us remain complacent and choose to do nothing. We wait for the doctor’s orders to exercise or for a magic pill to solve our health woes. At Capacity Fitness & Nutrition, our mission is to positively impact the lives of 1,000 people in Baltimore by empowering them with control over their own health. These individuals are the new radicals—the ones who question established authority, conduct their own research, and take decisive action in their lives.
The new radicals are immune to the pervasive myths that plague the industry. They approach their well-being with care and enthusiasm, readily embracing challenges. They are determined to outlive their doctors, defying societal expectations. Taking control of your health may not make you popular outside our gym, but it will position you as a radical—a trailblazer unafraid to challenge the status quo. It won’t be an easy journey, but it will undoubtedly be worth it.
By embracing the principles of Functional Fitness, questioning conventional wisdom, and charting your own path to wellness, you become part of a movement that transcends trends and fads. You become an agent of change in your own life, inspiring others to take charge of their health as well.
Together, we can reshape the fitness industry, empowering individuals to create their own answers and reclaim control over their well-being. So, join us in this radical pursuit and discover the transformative power of taking ownership of your health—it’s a decision that will ripple through every aspect of your life.
Click here to read Why The Best Gyms Don’t Look Like Real Gyms