4 reasons why you need to start cross-training
Many people focus on single training routines, get stuck in a rut or find themselves with injuries. Challenge your body and performance by adding variety. In the gym step outside your comfort zone and seek fresh, dynamic programs. Adopt a cross training approach.
Frustrated with plateaus, injuries, or even the monotony of training?
Many people focus on single training routines, get stuck in a rut or find themselves with injuries. Challenge your body and performance by adding variety. In the gym step outside your comfort zone and seek fresh, dynamic programs. Adopt a cross training approach.
What is cross training?
Cross training adds a variety of sport and exercise into your training program, mixing aerobic, strength and flexibility training.
Benefits of cross training:
1. Improve conditioning
How do you break a fitness plateau? Perform a variety of exercises from different disciplines, to surprise your muscles and place effort where your body isn't accustomed to it. Increased workload and variety lead to increased capability. In other words, by doing more with your body, your athletic and fitness levels have no choice but to grow. With cross-training, it’s possible to gain muscle, lose fat, increase cardio-aerobic capacity and quicken your feet.
A gym going weightlifter could include some cardio sprint sessions, or a cyclist could introduce a long steady swim session. Are you a runner? Try adding a full on powerlifting session.
It really could be anything, but it needs to be different, and it needs to be intense.
2. Prevent injuries
Injuries are often caused by repetition. Your joints, ligaments, muscles and tendons are under a large amount of stress through repeated movement, and will eventually wear out. By mixing up your routine you give these parts of your body a chance to rest and the under-used parts a chance to strengthen and catch-up. By cross-training you can become a healthier, more complete athlete.
One of the most effective cross training methods to prevent injury is core development. Add a core workout to your program, even on the same day as a regular workout. It can build stability, balance, and muscle control - all of which helps reduce your risk of injury.
3. Active recovery
Building in recovery days to your training is very important to improve your overall performance. This does not mean you have to do nothing. Choose an activity other than your primary training to speed up recovery by increasing blood flow and the delivery of nutrients to stressed or damaged muscle tissue. At the same time you are conditioning other muscle groups and preventing injuries.
For active recovery, try some strength training or weight lifting, or work on core, balance, and flexibility in a yoga or Pilates class. If you are training to smash your personal best in a bench press, try some gentle cardio like a swim, a jog, or even joining in a social sporting team on rest days.
4. Motivation
The weather’s getting cooler and the mornings darker and maybe you'd rather rug up than buff up? Cross training could be an ideal solution. It is a safe and easy way to add variety to your routine. It can positively influence long-term consistency by minimising the incidence of injury and reducing the potential for boredom.
Start experiencing the benefits of cross training. HBF Stadium Gym in Mount Claremont offers universal memberships that include gym access, group fitness classes and access to three 50m pools with lanes available for public swimming all year round. Our friendly trainers will be very happy to assist you Find more information about the gym at HBF Stadium here.
