Is functional fitness different to GPP?

If you’ve been anywhere near social media recently, you’ve likely come across references to GPP or General Physical Preparation.

The late Dr Mel Siff defined GPP as training which is designed to provide balanced physical conditioning in endurance, strength, speed, flexibility and other basic factors of fitness, or in other words, how prepared you are to tackle any physical situation you might encounter.

Do you have the strength to climb out of a ditch? Can you outrun a potential attacker? Can you pick up your grandchildren? Can you carry your grocery shopping from car to kitchen?

In athletic training, GPP lays the groundwork for Specific Physical Preparation (SPP) and eventually Sport Specific Preparation (SSP) which progressively concentrate on exercises which are more and more focused on a particular sport.

But with GPP, the focus is on general conditioning, much in the same way as it is for functional fitness. GPP doesn't really require specialised skill or knowledge, save for that which enables us to exercise safely. It can be performed by anyone to build core strength, recover from injury and improve overall fitness. Think push ups, lunges, burpees, mountain climbers or medicine ball throws.

Both CrossFit and Hyrox are good examples of GPP training, as they mix push, pull, carry, squat and cardio exercises.

But don’t make the mistake of thinking GPP is only for athletes. The needs of older people and athletes vary by degree, not kind. Where one might need functional fitness to maintain their independence as they age, the other needs it to help maintain their dominance on the field.

Improved leg strength will help a professional footballer place the perfect cross; but it will also reduce the chances of an older person falling in the bath. The squat is the perfect tool for both.