Classification of the means and methods used in high-intensity functional training: A Critical Reflection

Abstract

High-intensity functional training represents a new fitness paradigm, it is also a type of exercise that is growing worldwide in terms of practitioners and fitness centers that offer it, despite the documentation regarding how to perform this type of exercise is scarce, so different problems can arise in this area of physical activity, sports and health due to a lack of knowledge of how to carry out this type of high-intensity physical exercise. The study objective of this article is to make a critical reflection on the means and methods applied in high intensity functional training. After consulting the literature, the following classification is proposed for the means (calisthenics/gymnastics, cardiometabolic and lifting), while the methods obtained two classifications, one based on the modality (means) and the other on the organizational (structure of the session). In conclusion, this new proposal is more in line with the reality of high-intensity functional training from the bases of sports training.