Backstage at the 2011 CrossFit Games, Coach Glassman spoke with Fast Company about the importance of functional movement in training. He describes functional movements as natural, universal motor-recruitment patterns—actions such as squatting, lifting, pulling, and climbing that are deeply rooted in human biology. These movements typically operate from “core to extremity,” transferring force from large, powerful muscle groups to smaller, faster ones, which allows them to produce far greater power than isolated exercises commonly found in commercial gyms.

Glassman contrasts these movements with non-functional exercises like curls or leg extensions, which have little real-world application and generate significantly less power. Developing competency in functional movement, he argues, has practical benefits far beyond the gym. The ability to squat, lift, and move effectively supports everyday activities such as standing from a chair, climbing stairs, or picking objects off the ground, and maintaining these capacities is critical for preserving independence, preventing frailty, and improving long-term quality of life.