Functional movement is defined by certain characteristics that determine its value. Do your shoulder blades touch down in every AbMat Sit Up? Do your elbows lock out overhead with every Thruster rep? Do you hips drop below your knees on every Wall Ball shot? These are all defining characteristics of their respective movements. Failure to achieve these qualities is essentially failing to perform the movement. In other words, it is no longer a Sit Up, Thruster, or Wall Ball, but something else entirely. Something not nearly as valuable.

You should be completely clear on the defining characteristics of every activity in which you engage so you don't make this very common mistake.

Question: What are the defining characteristics of a 2-handed Kettlebell Snatch? Post your thoughts to Comments.