As your company grows, there comes a time when you start to think about replacing your accounting system with an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system. There are lots of reasons that most growing companies hesitate to make the change, including:

• Extra work for employees during the implementation,
• The expected cost of the software and services,
• Concerns that the system will be hard to use.

While these are all valid concerns, the nature of ERP implementations is changing. There is much greater flexibility in rolling out the software over time to minimize the disruption of business and spread out costs. ERP systems are becoming easier to use, and younger employees want to work with modern systems.

What is the real value of upgrading to ERP?

Interestingly, as the difficulty of ERP implementations has declined, the importance of smaller businesses improving their businesses processes has increased. Customer expectations have changed significantly with the wide adoption of the internet. High service value companies like Amazon set a high bar for all businesses to meet.

Even your long term, loyal customers may be tempted to shop around if your business processes make it difficult for them to work with you.  Switching from an accounting system to ERP allows you to centralize information and automate processes. Employees can focus more on individual customer service and less on paperwork. ERP will help you:

• Deliver on expectations.  When you know exactly what you have in the warehouse, you can fulfill those special orders faster. When you can schedule services during one call with the customer or provide online self-scheduling, you make your clients life easier. ERP can help you simplify fulfillment processes
• Deliver better customer service. Your biggest advantage as a small or midsize business is the personal attention you can give to every customer. If your employees spent less time looking for information, could they spend more time understanding customer needs? An ERP system will help your employees automate processes to focus their time on customers. 
• Spot opportunities.  Data in the systems that you currently run don’t do you any good if you can’t put it all together to analyze. An integrated ERP system allows you to combine data from all points within your business to give you insights into results and trends. Identify the products with increasing sales to build momentum and clear out the products that don’t move.

The benefits of moving to ERP continue to grow, while the challenges continue to dissipate. Let’s talk about how you can get ahead of your customer’s expectations and beat out the competition.

Most computer users, including business owners and managers, know that while computers are incredibly useful, they can pose a security risk. While a security breach for personal users can be serious, it is potentially even more so for businesses. This is why, when it comes to company use, those in charge want to make sure that their systems are secure. The problem is that this is seen to be not only expensive but a drain on time and other valuable resources. In truth though it doesn't have to be.

Here are five low-cost things you can do to ensure that your business is secure.

1. Communication is key Many companies take adequate steps to ensure that their systems are adequately protected. The thing is, many security breaches come from within the company. If your employees keep passwords written on pieces of paper that they leave lying around their desks, this is a security issue. It is a good idea to agree with employees where to keep important information and ensure they follow these rules.

Beyond that, if you implement security changes or new systems e.g., new virus scanning software, it is important that you talk to your staff to ensure they know how the system works and how they can use it. You would be surprised at how much effective communication can help to minimize security issues, and best of all? It's free!

2. Educate your staff One of the more common security issues comes from spam and malware found in emails. It is a good idea to educate your staff on how to spot these different types of emails and other malicious websites, as well as how to avoid them.

It is worthwhile ensuring that your employees know their roles when it comes to security too. If you have a secretary who you believe is responsible for ensuring the office is locked at the end of the night, take steps to ensure that this person understands their responsibilities. The same goes for computers your staff use: If they are responsible for conducting security scans let them know this. While this may take some time, the cost is low to free.

3. Keep track of your keys To ensure the security of your IT systems and your physical office, you should keep control of your keys. That is, both the physical keys and those associated with your software (the codes you enter to verify software and unlock full versions).

Keep track of which staff members have a key to the office and if possible number them. The goal here is to know where your keys are at any given time, and if a staff member changes employers make sure you ask for them back.

Many software keys or licenses are single use only. If you invest in software and an employees steals this along with the key, you will likely have to purchase the software again. A good tip is to keep software keys secure and separate from the software itself. The best part about this step is that the cost of doing this is minimal.

4. Keep your software updated Hackers can be a lazy bunch. They will often target those with out of date software, because it's usually easier to hack. To reduce the chance of being hacked, you should take steps to ensure that your software is up-to-date. This includes your virus and malware scanners, as well as browsers and even software you don't use.

Get your staff to perform a 'software audit' on their computers on a regular basis. This means going through their computer and properly uninstalling software that they don't use, while also taking time to ensure their system is completely updated. This step is easy to implement and will cost you next to nothing.

5. Keep important systems off site Many small to medium businesses keep their servers on site. While this is convenient as your systems are right there and easily accessible, this could also create a security issue. One way to minimize this is to work with an IT partner who can host your systems or servers off site or in the cloud. While this involves some cost, working with an IT partner could save you profits and productivity in the long run, as good providers will ensure that your systems are secure and working properly.

If you are looking to make your systems more secure, please contact us today. We may have a solution that will work for your business.

One of the integral components of a computer is the processor. It's considered the brain of the computer because it runs all the various programs and software. The most popular processors are the Core processors created by Intel. Intel has recently introduced the latest version (generation) of their processor, code named Haswell.

While the new processors are not out just yet, many business owners and managers are wondering what exactly this new version will bring and whether upgrading is worth it when it's released?

Overview of Intel's processors If you have looked at buying a computer in the past three years you have likely heard or seen computers being advertised as having an Intel Core i3, i5 or i7. These processors are Intel's current line or models, used in laptops and desktops.

• Core i3 processors offer the lowest amount of processing power and are generally found in low-end laptops or desktops. These are best for users who only need computers to check email or browse the Internet.
• Core i5 processors are the mid-range and can usually be found in mid-range laptops and desktops. These are best suited to most personal users and can handle most computing needs.
• Core i7 processors are top of the line and are the most powerful processors Intel makes. These are really suited to businesses and high-end consumers who need powerful processors.

Introduced in 2010, these processors have seen updated versions released almost every year. Intel calls each update a 'generation' and the latest, introduced in May 2013, is the 4th generation. You can tell which generation of processor your computer has by looking at the model number e.g., Intel Core i7 3xxx is a third generation processor.

This year's generation is called Haswell by Intel, but many computer manufacturers will not use this name when presenting technical specifications to users. They will instead use the model name e.g., Intel Core i7 4xxx.

Changes made with Haswell There are numerous changes that Haswell processors bring and here are three that businesses will benefit from:

• Faster performance - Because the new processor uses a slightly different layout, more processing power has been added. This means computers using this processor will be faster. This chip is also smaller than the previous versions, so you should see smaller laptops introduced with more computing power.
• Power savings - Intel has said that when they develop new generations of chips, they aim to always reduce the power consumption. This leads to longer battery life in laptops, without having to sacrifice computing power. How much power saving this new generation of processors will bring remains to be seen, but you can be sure that newer laptops will have a longer battery life.
• Enhanced graphics - With the introduction of the first Core i3, i5 and i7's, Intel included an integrated video card. Graphics performance is important to a number of different types of users, including gamers, graphics designers and to some extent, businesses. If you use graphics-heavy programs, like Photoshop, on a daily basis, you need a powerful graphics processor. The new update brings an increase to the integrated card performance which should be more than powerful enough for most users' needs.

A question being asked by many is whether the new processors will bring a price increase. At this time, prices have not been released,but there is rumor that they are going to be higher. Past releases have not generally affected the overall price of laptops and desktops though and if anything has made them less expensive.

Should I upgrade my systems? From what we can see about Haswell it will be worth the upgrade for businesses with aging systems, or users needing a boost to the processing power of their systems. If you updated last year, or even the year before that, you will likely be better off waiting a while yet.

Another option could be to wait until computers with Haswell processors enter the market, which should be by mid summer. You will probably be able to get computers with a third generation processor for a lot less. Meanwhile, a third generation processor should be more than able to meet all of your computing needs, especially if you have or invest in a Core i7.

If you are thinking of upgrading or would like to learn more, please contact us.

Disasters come in all shapes and sizes and for businesses they can range from massive catastrophes to less severe but still damaging ones, such as dropping an external hard drive that contains vital backups. Regardless of the what type of problem you are dealing with, it pays to be prepared beforehand. One way to do this is to have a backup solution in place. Many experts recommend you use an offsite backup strategy, but the question we often get is, "why"?

Here are five benefits and a definition of offsite backup.

Offsite backup defined The definition of offsite backup can be a bit difficult to nail down, as when many IT providers talk about this idea they are usually referring to one of a number of different kinds of backup. The key idea revolving around offsite backup is that your company's data and backups are sent out of your physical location(s). In other words, your backups are not stored in your office or building.

Offsite backup is usually done in one of two ways:

1. Physical transport - This can range from something as simple as copying important files onto a removable hard drive and storing this in another location, to backing up entire systems on tape and storing them off site.
2. Remote backup - This is a more modern approach to data backup, whereby your data and files are stored on servers located off site. This form of backup is commonly referred to as 'cloud backup'.

For the purpose of this article, we will focus on remote backup as this is the main solution companies are enquiring about.

Benefits of remote backup

1. It's more reliable The major benefit of remote backup is that it can be automated. Your files are updated on a daily basis, or you can set the time for the update. Because these solutions work over the Internet, you will be able to recover files quickly. Beyond that, the servers that offer this solution are often located in numerous locations, which ensures that your backups are always available, even if one server crashes.

2. It reduces workload Traditional backup solutions require a person, whether you or an IT professional, to manually back up or copy files. This can take a long time, and will take you away from your normal job. Many remote backup solutions can be initiated at the click of a mouse after setup, or can be scheduled for when you aren't in the office.

3. It's easy to set up Backup solutions are managed by an IT partner who can work with you to set up which files and data to back up. Other solutions can be set up with a few clicks and even automated, so you can rest assured that your data is backed up and up-to-date.

4. It's secure Most backup providers store their servers in secure locations, meaning that your data is physically secure. To ensure that backup data is transmitted securely, most solutions use advanced encryption tools to keep data secure.

5. It will save money If you have numerous computers with large amounts of data that you back up regularly, you know that physical storage solutions can be costly. The majority of remote backup solutions are billed on a monthly-basis and support a near unlimited amount of backup space. If your company operates in an industry where backups are mandatory, or you have a large amount of files to back up, these options will save you money.

If you are interested in learning more about how offsite, remote backup can help ensure that your business is ready for disaster recovery, please contact us today.

Apple's desktop operating system, OS X, has been gaining popularity amongst all kinds of users with each successive version. The latest version of OS X is 10.8 - Mountain Lion. Any newly purchased Apple computer will have this version installed on it already and users of older systems can update. If you have 10.8 installed, an incremental update has recently been released.

Below is an overview of the recent OS X 10.8 update and how you can install it.

Update features Here are some of the changes with the update:

• Improved Wi-Fi compatibility with some enterprise level wireless networks.
• Microsoft Exchange compatibility with Calendar (iCal) has been improved to make it integration easier.
• An issue that prevented Facetime calls to non-US numbers has been fixed.
• iMessages has been updated to fix an issue where messages showed out of order.
• Safari has been updated to 6.0.5 which has improved overall stability.
• An issue that prevented some documents from being uploaded to an SMB server has been fixed.

These features are just a few of the updates introduced in 10.8.4 that aim to generally improve the overall functionality of the OS. While it may appear that these updates don't make massive improvements, it is a good idea to download the update as an up-to-date system can generally improve the security of a system while ensuring that your computer is functioning as it should be.

How to install the update There are a couple of ways you can get the update:

Through the App Store

1. Open the App Store (it's the blue circle icon with the brush, pencil and ruler in your dock).
2. Wait for the Store to load and press the Updates icon at the top of the window.
3. Look for the update. It should be located in a tab called Software Update. If you press More it should show you information regarding the update. It should be called: OS X Update Combined 10.8.4.
4. Click Update and it should be downloaded and applied. You will need to restart your computer.

Manually download it

1. Go to Apple's Support site's 10.8.4 update page located here.
2. Press Download. When it has finished, the update should be in your Downloads folder.
3. Double click on the file and follow the install instructions.
4. Restart your computer.

If you work with an IT partner we recommend that you contact them before you update your system as there may be other systems you use that won't support the update. If you are unsure about the update and compatibility with your systems, please contact us today to see how we can help.

E-commerce has become one of the largest arms of the Internet. Almost every company with a store has an online version where people can buy items from the comfort of their home or office. To date, the most common payment method has been credit cards, but the idea of e-wallets has started to take off. One service leading this trend is Google Wallet, which has recently introduced a new and useful, feature.

The new Google Wallet feature introduces the ability to send money as a Gmail attachment. Before we get into the update however, here is an overview of what Google Wallet is about.

What is Google Wallet? The whole idea of Google Wallet is to provide you with an online 'wallet' that stores your payment information, (credit card, bank account numbers, and address), in the cloud. This is linked to your Google account. This service can be used across multiple devices, including your Android smartphone and tablet, and desktop browser.

Google Wallet has two main focuses - online and instore shopping. If you have the mobile app and a specific phone, you can use it to pay for items at stores that support this by simply tapping your phone on a terminal; no need to carry your physical credit or debit card. When you are shopping online, you can also click the Google Wallet button on supporting sites and your payment information, including your address, will be automatically added.

At the moment, the mobile app only works in the US, with no word on when it will be rolled out to other countries. The online version however is supported in the countries listed here.

Send money using Gmail Google recently introduced a new function for Google Wallet which could prove to be useful. Gmail users in the US can now, (or will soon), have the ability to send money to others by simply using an email attachment.

If you already have a Google Wallet account, you can hover over the paperclip icon at the bottom of the compose message window in Gmail, and select the $ icon. You can then select the amount of money to attach. The email recipient will be able to claim the money, as long as they also have a Google Wallet account.

This feature is free for users who have linked their bank account to Google Wallet, or have an available balance. If you use a credit card, there is a charge of 2.9% per transaction.

Is this a good idea for businesses? If your company has an online store or processes payments online, having a Google Wallet account could be a good idea, as it gives your customers another way to pay for their purchases.

The major downside though is that you need to have a Google Wallet account to receive money, and it is only for users in the US. This limits current usability, especially if you have customers outside of the US.

A common issue many companies focus on is how secure these transactions are. Google has noted that transactions are secure and can be monitored easily from the online version of Wallet. From what we can see, it may be a good idea to actually hold off supporting or accepting payment through email until this service has been out for a few months. It is highly likely that Google will push this functionality to more customers which will give you more time to prepare and ensure that payment through email is something your company could use.

If you would like to learn more about Google Wallet and how it could fit into your business, please contact us today.

Windows 8 has been slowly gaining traction with businesses, and numerous companies have already upgraded, while others are seriously considering it. Those upgrading from older versions of Windows will find a drastically different operating system (OS), that may take a while to get used to. Because it's such a big change, new users may not know how to get the most out of the latest version.

Here are five tips that can help you get the more out of Windows 8.

Enable GodMode In older video games, GodMode was a cheat or code you could enter to get access to every power, giving you unlimited lives or even making you invincible. Windows 8 has a GodMode as well, only it won't make you all powerful. Instead it puts hundreds of settings into one central folder.

You can activate GodMode by creating a new folder and adding the following code, with the period and curly brackets, at the end of the name: .{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C} For example you could create a folder named: GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}

As soon as you click anywhere outside of the folder, it should change icons. Opening the folder will bring up a list of close to a dozen settings options. You will notice numbers beside each entry, indicating how many settings are inside that specific category.

Bring back the Start button The Start button is, to many Windows users, the most important button. Pressing it gives you easy access to installed programs, search, settings and many documents. The new Windows 8 layout relies on tiles and has seemingly done away with the Start button. The good news is that it is still there, just hidden.

You can get Windows 8 to show the Start button by:

1. Right-clicking on the Taskbar which is the bar located at the bottom of your screen.
2. Selecting Toolbars followed by New Toolbar.
3. Navigating to: C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu. Note: username will be different for every user. Pick the file with the username you log into your computer with.
4. Selecting Select Folder with the Start Menu folder selected.

A modified version of the Start bar should now be on your Taskbar. You can click on this to explore your files and installed programs but will not be able to search for programs or files. If you can't navigate to the above folder you will have to enable Show Hidden Files through Folder Options in the Control Panel.

Utilize the Quick Access Menu If you are looking for a quick way to get to a number of Windows 8 features, like the Command Prompt, Programs, Task Manager, and Control Panel, etc., you can use what's called the Quick Access Menu. It is also referred to by some as the admin menu. To open this menu all you have to do is press the Windows key and X. You can also access it by moving your mouse cursor to the bottom-left of your screen and right-clicking.

The best thing about this feature is that it will work in both the more traditional Desktop and the new tile based Start screen as well.

Shut down Metro apps Metro apps are essentially Windows versions of popular mobile apps, which are only for desktops and touch devices running Windows 8. While these apps are useful, many are designed to stay open in the background. While this means little to no wait time to open them, they could take up valuable computing resources.

If you aren't using a particular app, or don't use it on a regular basis, then you should close it. This can be done by hovering your mouse over the left side of the screen to bring up the Open Apps bar, right-clicking on an app and selecting Close.

Simplify Search If your computer has a large amount of files and programs installed on it, searching for one could take time. By default, Windows 8 is set to search everything, including apps, like the Windows Store, making it so much quicker. You can configure what apps, files, folders, etc. Windows will search by:

1. Hitting the Windows key + I.
2. Selecting Change PC Settings.
3. Clicking on Search.
4. Selecting what you want Windows to search through when you use the Search bar.

This will speed up any search you execute for programs, apps, files, etc. on your computer.

If you are looking for more tips and tricks to help you get more out of Windows 8, please contact us today to see how we can help.

Google Drive, introduced in mid April 2012, has become a large part of the Google Apps suite for businesses. It's the platform that combines cloud storage with productivity apps and allows you to create, edit and share word processing, spreadsheets and presentations, etc. Hot on the heels of the desktop release was a mobile app. This originally had limited capabilities but has been consistently updated over the past year. The latest update released aims to make the mobile app even better.

The latest update to the Drive app for Android devices aims to make accessing your files and creating documents from your mobile device even easier, and Google delivers on that goal. Here is an overview of the changes introduced by Google.

An improved layout When you open the new version of Drive on your Android device you likely won't see much of a difference to the overall look. If you look at the top of the screen however you will notice that the top bar has been changed. You will now see (from left to right) :

1. Three vertical lines - Tapping these will bring up the side-bar with your different files including: My Drive, Starred, Recent, Offline, etc. If you use more than one account, you will see your account name at the top of the menu. Tapping on it will allow you to select the different Google accounts you have linked with your device. You can also get this menu up by placing your finger on the left side of the screen and swiping to the right.
2. The Drive icon - This part of the bar shows the file path. For example, if you have a folder on your Drive labeled 'Bills', and open it on your device you will see its name beside the Drive icon at the top. Tapping on the Drive icon will take you back to the home screen and if you have more than two folders open you will be able to select which folder to go back to.
3. A magnifying glass - Tapping this will allow you to search Drive for files.
4. Four squares - This is possibly the biggest change to Drive. Tapping these squares will change your files and folders into individual cards. Your folders will appear at the top of the screen and clicking on each will open each one and show the files in that folder as little cards. If you tap on a picture, you will be able to preview every file in that folder.
5. Three small vertical squares - Selecting this will open a drop-down menu with options including: Add new, Filter by, Settings and Help.

A new Information panel You will notice that each file and folder has an 'i' in a circle on the bottom right. Tap it and the file's information will pop up. This screen is the information screen and provides you with a preview of the file, who has access to it, and general information like size, as well as giving you the option to make it available offline. If you slide the tab from Off to On, you will be able to access the file without an Internet connection.

Download a copy If you want to download a copy of a picture, doc or other file you can now do so. Simply open the file and press the information button on the top of the screen. Press the three squares at the top-right of the window that opens and select Download a copy from the menu that drops down.

Your phone or tablet is now a scanner Google introduced a new feature to the mobile Drive app that enables you to scan documents using your device's camera. You can scan documents by pressing the three squares from any file, (note: This is where it will be uploaded, so pick where you want to upload the file first), select Add new followed by Scan. Your camera should turn on, so press the shutter button and Drive will scan the document and create a .pdf.

Combine this with the app's ability to print documents through the cloud via Google's Cloud Print and this app could be a valuable mobile scanner.

If you would like to learn more about Google Drive and how it can help your business, contact us for a chat.

Smartphones can be considered a must-have for any business owner or manager. The question many have is what phone is best? Most choose to go with either Android or Apple's iPhone and are generally happy with their choice. There is another option, Windows Phone, which could be a great choice for any business using Microsoft products. What's more, phones running the Windows Phone operating system are improving and enticing more users to jump ship from other more popular systems.

If you are a current Android user and either thinking of switching to a Windows Phone, or are getting one for the office, you are likely wondering how you are going to switch or get your important information from one system to the other. While you may imagine it is going to be a real chore, it's actually quite easy and straightforward. Here is a short guide on how to switch to the Windows Phone from Android.

Switch your email

Your email account is arguably the most important account you have. It is also the account you use to essentially make your phone yours. As a current Android user, you likely have linked a Gmail account to your device and probably want to continue using this account. The good news is that a Windows Phone still allows you to link your email account. Here's how:

1. Tap the Settings icon on your Windows Phone.
2. Select Email + accounts followed by Next.
3. Tap Add an account along with the account you want to add, (for most Android users this will be Google).
4. Enter your email address and password.
5. Tap Next, select Email only followed by Sign in.

The phone should sync with your Google account and your email should start showing in the email tile on the main screen. If you use other accounts, say a Microsoft account, you can add these in the same way.

Migrate your contacts

Contacts are an important part of any phone, and you probably want to take them with you, or migrate them over to the new system. You have a couple of options to get your contacts onto your new Windows Phone. The method you use should reflect where you store your contacts.

1. Contacts linked with your Google account - If you have set up your Android device to sync contacts with your Google account, (done by going to Settings, Accounts, Google and tapping on Contacts), you can simply follow the steps in the email section above and select Email, contacts, and calendar. Your contacts should show up within a couple of minutes.
2. Contacts stored on your SIM card - If you have saved your contacts to a SIM card, simply insert it into the new phone, as long as the SIM is the same size. Go to the People app on your phone and select Settings, followed by Import SIM contacts. If your new device has a different sized SIM card, your best bet is to sync your contacts with your Google account.
3. Contacts stored on your computer - The easiest way to migrate your contacts from your computer to your phone is through Outlook. Sign into Outlook using a Microsoft account, drag your contacts from Outlook into the account and then sign into your phone using the same account. Your contacts will automatically transfer over. If you have an older version of Outlook, try the Hotmail connector, (instructions on how to transfer files are below the download link).

Import important documents

If you have files that you would like to access on your phone the easiest option is to download these onto your computer first. If they are spreadsheets, presentations or word processing files on Google Drive, you should download them as Word, Excel or PowerPoint files.

When the files are on your computer, plug your phone into it using a USB cable. The computer should recognize this and show you a window with options of what you to do with your phone. Select Explore Files and a window will open with the phone's file structure. Double-click on Documents. Then, open the folder where you downloaded the documents to, in another window. Simply drag the files in the folder on your computer to Documents and they will be available on your phone.

Get your apps

As we stated last month, you can download the Switch to Windows Phone app from Google Play. Run the app, and link it with a Microsoft account. On your Windows Phone, download the companion app from the Store, open and run it. Your should be able to download compatible apps from there.

Move your SIM card/phone number

Moving to a new phone system can sometimes be confusing, especially in relation to SIM cards. For the vast majority of phones, you should be able to simply move your SIM card from one to the other and it should work. Many new phones use a new, smaller SIM card and if you use the older version, you will have to go into your mobile provider and ask them to switch your card. It shouldn't be very costly and many providers may even offer to do it for free.

The one thing to be careful with is if your Android device is on a contract. Some mobile carriers have been known to lock the SIM to the device, meaning it won't work if you switch phones. You will have to go into the mobile carrier and pay them to switch.

In general, moving from Android to Windows Phone is a painless affair that shouldn't take a long time, especially if you already sync your contacts, calendar and email with Gmail. If you are making the move and have further questions, please give us a call, we are happy to help.

As mankind developed over the millennia we had no need for gyms. Our superfit ancestors got more than their daily exercise fix chasing down deer, swimming rivers and hunting for nuts and berries in the forests. This is the sort of lifestyle our bodies evolved for and from. However, these days you're more likely to be keeping fit with aerobics, a team sport or weightlifting. What's important is that you get enough exercise to address all-over body fitness that keeps your muscles toned and working, combating the sedentary lifestyle of the modern world. What's missing is functional intense training for life.

What is FIT?

You may have seen have heard the term 'functional intense training' or 'intense functional training' or even 'functional intensity training' thrown around your gym or on TV, but what actually is it? In a nutshell it means any type of exercise aimed at training the body for activities that you do every day - lifting, stretching and moving around. It means giving your body the power and ability to live life to the full.

Why is it important?

You may be at the gym three times a week, but this doesn't mean that all the parts of your body are getting equal amounts of attention.The fastest person in the spinning class isn't getting the best workout for their arms and aerobic class fans often don't do many weight resistance exercises, for example. Functional training helps restore balance to your exercise. If done correctly, it will lead to improved joint stability and more efficient movement patterns. This means that you are decreasing the chances of injuring yourself while doing your favorite sports, as functional intense training emphasizes your ability to move in six degrees of freedom.

Where did it come from?

Most functional training exercises have their origins in rehabilitation, with many of them used by physical therapists to help retrain patients with movement problems or after a stroke. Task specific practices were designed to meet the needs of individuals, giving them functional independence and allow them to do regular activities or sports. Athletes found that many of these functional intense training exercises help them perform better and FIT has caught on among sportsmen and women the world over, as well as amateur athletes and people who simply want to make the best out of their fitness sessions.

What sort of exercises do you do?

There are many different types of exercises incorporated into FIT,  and which you will concentrate on depends on your needs. However, because exercises are designed to train and develop muscles that make it easier to do everyday activities many of them involve weight resistance, such as lifting kettlebells or moving with dumbbells, for example. Many of the exercises use training balls too, as the unstable surface means you have to use deep core muscles to maintain balance. Resistance machines are rarely used for functional intense training because their patterns are fixed and unnatural. They also tend to  only focus on one muscle group at a time rather than engaging the stabilizers and peripheral muscles.

How can FIT improve performance?

If designed properly, a functional intense training program will increase your muscular endurance and sport specific strength, while increasing not only your flexibility but also your agility. With functional training you are doing exercises that involve multi joint movements of the body and core and making your body work as a whole rather than in separate muscle groups. This is how the body was designed to function.

What other benefits are there?

You can develop better awareness of your body and greater control over it. You also improve both your balance and posture so it is less likely that you will strain or injure yourself in the future. In addition, functionally trained muscles make for a great foundation if you are looking to do some more traditional strength training or want to build up other muscles in your body.

How often should I do this type of training?

If you are an athlete looking to improve your performance, regular functional intense training is essential, especially if your sport is seasonal and you want to keep your strength up. For most people the combination of cardio and strength training is a great workout to do regularly and working with a trainer can really help personalize the training experience.

Can functional intense  training help me lose weight?

While functional training is not aimed specifically at weight loss, the cardio aspects help burn off calories. While functional training is less high-energy and based around movement and flexibility, FIT ups the ante with a more exhilarating, pumping workout with an increased intensity. Here you are using the same everyday movements as you would in functional training but add heavier weights, more reps and work at a faster pace to really kick things up a gear.

Whatever type of sport you are into or however you choose to keep fit, be it soccer in the park, a daily run or a spinning session in the gym, you will enjoy more rounded health if you incorporate some functional intense training into your exercise plan to tone and strengthen, as well as burn calories and be as flexible as possible.