Functional Training

The short version: just go get this book. You won’t regret it.Longer version: As a S&C coach to athletes from the collegiate to professional level, Coach Santana’s materials have been instrumental to my development and education. I had the usual high expectations of his latest book Functional Training, and was again not disappointed at all (Don’t let the name fool you. There is no squatting on bosuballs type nonsense, but proper training for a purpose.)The book is pretty comprehensive, laying out the theory and philosophy behind the training, covering all movements needed for sports performance, helping you understand the need to adjust levels. The book takes you step by step into understanding how to make and periodize your program for different needs. Packed with a variety of exercises that are well explained (for strength, power, speed,... details and benefits are provided for each exercise). It also has no shortage of sample protocols and programs for a variety of sports.Overall, well worth the money, and good for all levels. Not just for coaches, but for anybody interested in training with a purpose.

I have have been in the fitness industry for 10 years and know very well the value of solid content and invaluable knowledge! This book is straight from the best in the game! JC Santana is a master of programming and Functional Training and makes it so simple to understand, the beauty of this book is that it doesn’t take a fitness expert to understand the layout and program design and the exercise content provided can be applied to someone just starting on their fitness journey or an elite athlete. One of the problems with training programs is the “why” is missing from the movements chosen, JC provides the answers you need to understand not only the movements but why they are used in the program! This is opening the door for building efficient and effective workouts. I am so thankful to have this book, we are very lucky to have access to this incredible content!!! TRUST ME YOU NEED THIS! And you will love it!

"Fish for a man and you feed him for a day; teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime."This book is all about teaching you how to "fish" in the over complicated world of fitness and athletic performance. Whether you are a fitness/health professional or a fitness enthusiast you will find a wealth of knowledge and a well used and proven model to obtain any goals for you or your client/athlete.If you are looking for the following, then this book is the BEST INVESTMENT you can make for YOURSELF:-A turn key model to train clients/athletes from soccer moms to professional athletes.-A Clear and precise understanding on how the body moves and how to train those movements in a proven and time tested model.-The best functional exercises to give your client what they WANT while also giving them what they NEED.-How to blend "Functional Training" with body building, powerlifting etc. models.Andrew E. Moores2x World Full Contact Karate ChampionTrainer/Teacher of athletes ages 4-72 years old

Book Review: Functional Training by Juan Carlos "JC" SantanaI enthusiastically recommend this book for new, seasoned FitPros as well as lay people that want to know the Why, How and What of principle-based training pertaining to a variety of goals.Weight-loss, bigger-stronger-faster in a very practical and useful manner. JC completely demystifies all aspects "functional training" and how his concepts of Four Pillars of Human Movement along with his Big Four Sport Skills can be an awesome approach to working with a huge spectrum of clients and athletes. He has done a masterful job explaining complex concepts into user friendly methods. JC is an awesome gift to the fitness industry and all those aspiring to enhance their health and world-class fitness safely and effectively to say the least.

The book is quite okey, lots of examples of exercises. Nothing new in the subject if You red already something about functional training.

Good

Great exercises in this book written by a true master! That said, the writing itself is kind of hard to understand, some ambiguity as far as the meaning; not too many fitness people also write well (tho there are some, such as books by Baechle & Wescott). If you already have a good background In functional fitness I guess the words will make more sense to you. Or if you just want to see the functional exercises, because there are tons and those are illustrated and clear. Also other resources: this author has put a lot of videos on YouTube plus he runs a training program I think it was down in Florida.

This book sets the standard for functional training, and as a new student at IHPU, it completely changed the way I approach programming. JC's detailed compilation of exercises and progressions makes this a must-have for any fitness professional, coach, or athlete--and his deliberate application of these exercises within program design makes you take a second look at what you've been doing and why.