What Is Cross Training?
Cross training is merely actively doing a variety of workouts. It can be in the same workout or over the course of several workouts.
More specifically, aerobic, weight lifting, and stretching exercise - either in the same workout or over the course of several weeks.
Let me give you an example, a single cross training workout might be include:
Workout: 20 minutes jogging, 20 minutes weight training, and 20 minutes stretching.
Or, it might be over the course of several workouts and be scheduled as follows:
Day 1: 50 minute run.
Day 2: 25 minutes weight lifting and 35 minutes of core work.
Day 3: 35 minutes using an exercise bike and 25 minutes stretching.
Day 4: 45 minutes of rowing, followed by a 25 minute stretch.
Cross training Benefits:
1. Get some variety in your workouts. Doing the same workout over and over gets stale.
2. You perform better and get more fit by working out all systems of your body by doing all the disciplines. For example, weight training can and does benefit running. Stretching benefits weight lifting … and so forth.
3. Let your body recover. If you do a one hour weight lifting workout of your upper body, you certainly don’t want to do another hour of weight training on your upper body the next day. But, you can do a nice 40 minute elliptical training session or 45 minute stationary bike ride.
4. The complementary skills you get from the different disciplines can help improve your performance and conditioning in your primary workout discipline. If you’re a swimmer, resistance training and stretching can help your swimming performance.
Another way to cross train is what I call micro-cross training - which is doing different activities within a discipline. For example, if you’re an endurance runner, try mixing up your running routines with intervals or sprints.
If you’ve been doing the same old workout week in and week out, consider cross training as a way to get past your plateau and have some fun in your fitness regimen.
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