Cross Training Exercises Can Help Your Running

You may think that because you run a regular distance and speed each week that you are in great shape physically. Of course cardiovascularly you will be very fit and will be a match for anyone who runs a similar distance and speed as yourself. But, if you went along to complete a marines fitness workout, which are gaining in popularity, you may find yourself slightly compromised and finishing close to the bottom. This is because this type of training will be new to your body and it will not respond well physically.

Usually this type of class will involve circuit training and will cover short bursts of speed running interspersed with plyometric (very quick movements) exercises, which are popular in football training, such as so many very fast press-ups/star jumps/squats and so on. To do well at such a class and not make a fool of yourself if you have been boasting about your fitness levels, your body should be used to utilizing many different muscles in many different ways already. Otherwise, afterwards you will feel exhausted and ache severely for about a week! The same rule applies if you try your hand at skiing. Your body will not be used to the twists and turns and again, you will tire yourself out and ache.

Ok, so you know you can run long distances. However, if you cross train, not only will you improve your fitness level you will also prevent injury, improve your running speed and distances and keep a high level of motivation going, preventing boredom. When you cross train regularly you will be exercising many different muscles, mixing up your training to make it more interesting and helping to strengthen your body making it fit enough for many different disciplines and exercises. You will also be giving the muscles you work regularly, for example your legs, knees and ankles a break allowing recovery from running.

Cross training involves having an exercise routine, which involves diverse types of exercise. It’s great for maintaining an overall high fitness level. You may decide try swimming or cycling instead of one of your weekly runs, which will improve your cardiovascular fitness and strengthen your muscles.

Another cross training exercise is weight lifting, which burns a lot of calories and fat while toning your body and strengthening your core, which is important as a runner as your core is what keeps you upright.

Aerobic classes are also good to have in your regular training routine. You may think that you are already fit enough in a cardiovascular way, but if you choose a class based on a plyometric system, you can’t do better. These kinds of classes use very quick fire exercises non-stop for a full hour and will strengthen your whole body, improve stamina and endurance and prime your body ready for anything. Your cardiovascular fitness will definitely improve and you will be much tougher both mentally and physically.

If you want a less impactful exercise as you may already have some injuries try Pilates or yoga. These exercises improve balance and flexibility and also stamina and endurance. They are very relaxing but are still hard work. They centre on working the core, which is the part of your body from your ribs down to your pelvis. This is an important part of the body for runners as it stabilizes the body. If you strengthen your core you will be able to run faster and longer without fatigue.

Don’t feel that you aren’t a proper runner if you cross train; you are making yourself a better runner and will have a more interesting training system which will motivate you when others are giving up due to boredom. Chop and change your routine whenever you start to become complacent.

Give your joints a rest and cross train allowing you to run injury free for many years.