With the emergence of functional fitness centers, such as CrossFit, our society has been quickly ripped from conventional, isolating movements and thrust into more functional exercise routines once reserved for fitness fanatics and those with personal trainers.

I recently had a chance to catch up with Jon Hinds, founder of Monkey Bar Gymnasium, who laughs when he discusses this wildly popular fitness movement. “This is nothing new to me. I opened my first gym 12 years ago. From day one, we have been promoting barefoot exercise, nutrition and functional movements.” In fact, Monkey Bar Gymnasium features the only gyms in the nation to integrate full-body skills training for strength, speed and stamina; Eischens Yoga for restoration and healing; and a plant-based diet for the health of people and our planet.

Jon scoffs a bit when his gyms are compared to the newer industry players. He highlights the fact that many of these newbies push people in to olympic style lifts and exercises that go beyond what they are capable of. “That’s why they see so many injuries”, Hinds says.

Monkey Bar Gym is a little different. You focus on exercises that will specifically improve your daily life. If you can’t do a full handstand, you put your feet on the wall. That may be as far as you ever decide to go, but that is fine. Work within your limits and have fun.

Monkey Bar Gym lives up to its name as a playground for grownups, but don’t be fooled by the playground atmosphere – this place gets grownup results.

Looking for a Monkey Bar Gymnasium near you?

They currently have locations in the following cities:

• Monkey Bar Gym in Madison, WI
• Monkey Bar Gym in Chicago, IL
• Monkey Bar Gym in Moorpark, CA
• Monkey Bar Gym in Detroit, MI
• Monkey Bar Gym in Staten Island, NY
• Monkey Bar Gym in Darwin, Australia
• Monkey Bar Gym in Montreal, QC, Canada
• Monkey Bar Gym in Missoula, MT
• Monkey Bar Gym in Milwaukee, WI
• Monkey Bar Gym in Tokyo, Japan

Check them out at www.monkeybargym.com. What functional exercises do you like most?