Christmas Ad Features Functional Fitness at Its Finest

ads, family, Fitness, happiness, health related issues, lessons learned, sports 2 Minutes

I’m not sure I would have ever come across this ad if it hadn’t been for my middle son sending me the link.

“Take Care of Yourself” is a new holiday advertisement from Doc Morris, one of Germany’s biggest online pharmaceutical services.

The ad starts off with an elderly man apparently living alone, looking at photographs of himself when he was younger and more athletic. A glance outside at a Christmas tree sparks something inside him to dust off an old kettlebell and try to train with it.

At first, he can’t even lift it off the ground, and after a couple of days of little progress, he seems to give up.

Then a few days later he spots a young family, which motivates him to take his training seriously. This time around, after several workouts, he is able to lift the kettlebell up to his shoulders and stretch his arms out in front of him. He even takes up walking and jogging (you can’t ignore cardio).

The next scene is of him driving to his daughter’s house on a snowy Christmas.

I’ll let the video tell the full story:

So all that training had a specific purpose – to be able to lift up his granddaughter so that she put a star on top of the Christmas tree.

Not only is it a heartwarming story, but it’s also a testament to the power of functional fitness.

Here’s a definition of functional fitness from the Mayo Clinic:

Functional fitness exercises train your muscles to work together and prepare them for daily tasks by simulating common movements you might do at home, at work or in sports. While using various muscles in the upper and lower body at the same time, functional fitness exercises also emphasize core stability.

That’s exactly what the grandfather was doing, using the kettlebell to simulate the movements he would need to lift his granddaughter. And we all need the motivation to get us through our workouts; what better to motivate us than our loved ones. The ad also shows us that we can ignore the naysayers, those who don’t think we can do something, for whatever reason. In this case, the man’s age.

It’s the kind of ad that all gyms across the country should be posting to their web sites, and then explaining how they incorporate functional fitness into their fitness philosophy.

This is one of my favorite Christmas ads I’ve written about over the years not only because it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy, but because it’s not really selling anything, except the benefits of a heatlhy lifestyle.

Well done, Doc Morris…

 

 

Published by Jim Borden

A 60-something guy trying to figure out the world, and his place in it. Happily married for 40-plus years, three wonderful sons. Accounting teacher, fitness enthusiast, blogger, reader.

Published

46 thoughts on “Christmas Ad Features Functional Fitness at Its Finest”

  1. I’ve never heard the term “functional fitness” before, but I can relate. For three years, I was totally dedicated to getting to the gym. Since I was so out of shape when I started, this became one of my best retirement routines. I haven’t done nearly as well in this Covid year, though I try to walk most days. I do know there were days when I didn’t feel like going. One of the mind games I played with myself was thinking about wanting to be a fun and active grandparent when my son eventually becomes a dad. I guess that’s nearly the same thing.

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  2. If I was that old man, I’d put some curtains on my windows. He has a very nosy neighbor.

    I think functional fitness could help some people to stay out of rest homes. Or at least it could help them be the top dogs who no one would mess with, if ever they had to go to a rest home.

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  4. I just saw this ad last night and thought of you and how you should post it on your blog. Was going to ask you today if you had seen it but I forgot. I guess I got my answer without asking! LOL!
    It is a heartwarmimg ad! Great choice and yes functional fitness is important as one ages.

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  8. This is one of my favorites now. Like many of your readers, I think it is refreshing that the video does not try to sell you anything. No dialogue, just watching a heart-warming story unfold. Great choice, Jim!

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  9. A beautiful ad, and very subtle in its encouragement to have a healthy lifestyle by buying things from them. Or is that too cynical? Maybe it’s just that it reminded me – as if I needed it – that Government rules will prevent me from picking up or hugging my granddaughter this year. Roll on 2021!

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    1. I wouldn’t think a pharmaceutical company is selling kettlebells…
      and I’m sorry to hear you won’t be able to hug your granddaughter this year. But I am sure that first hug in 2021 will feel extra special!

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      1. No, but they are using the kettlebells as an example of the message to stay healthy, which will of course be made much better by buying all of the medications and supplements they do sell. As I said, it’s subtle and is intended to make you think warm fuzzy feelings about the company when you’re buying health products.

        I can’t wait – it will be good to go back to normal visits rather than socially distanced – i.e. outdoors and 2m apart!

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      2. I guess everybody’s selling something 🙂

        and that will be a great day when the rules are relaxed.
        I just watched a nurse get her vaccine shot in New York City. Hopefully the end is in sight.
        and I’m also watching our electoral college go through its process. will be interesting to see how the Republicans respond after all those votes are cast…

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      3. No point in paying for the ads if they don’t expect a return for it. That is just a longer sell than the instant ‘buy me’ type.

        Our rules are just being tightened again. We’re paying the price for the government’s continuous vacillation and ineptitude earlier in the year.

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      1. They were every Friday morning in a local community Center, but have had to stop recently due to tighter restrictions in the U.K. ..I did functional strength, core stability and balance. Fingers crossed soon they’ll restart.

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