Cross Training - What You Need to Know

Being fit means that you can do any and every activity with the same degree of efficiency and gusto. Some people who consider themselves fit and in better shape than most, often fail to do activities that do not form a part of their regular schedules. The simple deduction that can be drawn is that they are not fit. Do you find yourself in this category? You might, if you have fallen into a nice 'comfort zone' with your exercise schedule. If so, you must consider cross training.

When an exercise regimen does not provide you with a challenge, you might as well not do it. You might also be mentally fatigued in case you are following the same training schedule since ages. Cross training is just what you need and wake and shake up!

Cross training can be described as a great way to:

- Condition different groups of muscles

- Develop new exercise skills

- Eliminate boredom from workouts

Cross training benefits you, the non-athlete, more because you are not trying to excel in any particular sport. So you need to focus on developing some specific muscles groups only and instead should try to get a whole body workout. This helps you do just that.

Here are some exercises that can make up a good cross training regimen.

1. Cardiovascular exercises such as running, swimming, cycling, rowing, skating, skiing etc should ideally be a component of cross training. You can even try some sports like basketball or squash.

2. Strength training exercises such as weight training, calisthenics etc should also be a part of your cross training regimen.

3. You should also do flexibility training such as stretching and yoga.

4. The other beneficial exercises that you can do are:

- Speed, agility and balance drills

- Circuit training

- Plyometrics

The benefits that you can look to derive from cross training are:

You can modify your training plans easily. Cross training gives you the flexibility to substitute a particular exercise for another, provided they both have the same benefits. So, on a really cold day, you can go for a jog rather than doing laps at the pool.

Because you are covering multiple aspects of training, you tend to get a better workout overall. This ensures that your body is better conditioned and you can easily engage in different kinds of activities even if you are not habituated to them. So you can take up the challenge of a short sprint with your friends or emerge as the star sportsman of your locality, without breaking sweat!

Complete conditioning of the body also means that you have lesser chances of injuring yourself, at work, at play or in course of daily activity. This is because your muscles are stronger and can endure more stress.

You can also work on some muscle groups while giving others a rest. If you know the exercises for each muscle group, you can easily do this.

It can be more beneficial if you take help of a fitness trainer. A certified trainer can effectively guide you in your attempt to incorporate different types of exercises in your training schedule.

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