Cross Training

What, why, how much?

What is cross training and why do it?

It is tricky to define cross training but I’d say any sport which is not your primary sport can be called as cross-training, as long as it directly contributes to the betterment of your primary sport. For example, if you’re a runner like me and you’re doing BASE jumping, I doubt BASE jumping would be called as an effective cross-training especially as you might not be alive enough to run after a BASE jump.

For running: Swimming, biking, yoga, pilates, weight training are some good examples of effective cross training. Swimming for example contributes to effective development of your cardiovascular system while being primarily a non-impact sport (as long as you don’t smack into the wall while doing a flip turn or swim in busy lane during rush hour). When returning from a running injury swimming is often the first recommended activity which is recommended. Of course, due to the absence of impact on load bearing muscles eventually the injured runner is moved from swimming to biking and eventually to run/walk. We progressively load the muscle to help the athlete return back from an injury.

But you don’t need to be injured to cross training. In fact, you can cross train effectively to be less injured. Doing cross training like Pilates and Yoga helps…