Benefits of Regular Cross Training Exercise

Cross training is a form of fitness training involving several different types of exercise. While most athletes know they benefits of regular exercise, they also tend to favor one sport or fitness activity over others; there are disadvantages to focusing only on one or two sports.

By only participating in one sport, you greatly increase your risk factor for repetitive motion injuries, which are the most commonly reported types of injuries incurred by everyday (versus professional) athletes. By repeating the same motions over and over you literally start to wear out certain body parts, especially joints that are taking the wear of the same motions day after day.

If you only practice one or two sports, you also are only building muscles specifically used for those one or two sports. This can lead to a serious imbalance of the muscles, also making you prone to injury.

Your body will also adjust to accommodate your overuse of certain muscle groups, making it harder to lose weight and build additional muscle. To burn maximum calories per workout and to build the maximum amount of muscle possible per workout, you will need to switch up your exercise patterns so you challenge your body in ways it is not accustomed. This changing of exercise is what is referred to as a cross training exercise.

Cross training is important because it works body parts you would neglect if you focused only on one sport, it strengthens your entire body making it less prone to injury and it prevents repetitive motion injury. It also will stave off boredom by introducing you to new fitness activities you otherwise might have overlooked.

To create a cross training exercise program that is right for you, take into consideration what parts of your body are worked by the form of exercise you most favor. Are you a runner?  Then you're working your legs and core pretty hard, pounding on your knees, ankles and hip joints, and possibly traumatizing your back.

Counter these negative effects by working in some low or no impact exercises such as swimming, biking, rowing, yoga or water aerobics. Try lifting weights twice a week and swim once to twice a week, cutting down your running to two to three times a week for an ideal runner's cross training program.

If you are a biker, you've got to watch out for your quads, knees and back. Try taking a core strengthening Pilates class and picking up a game of tennis or racquetball.

If you play basketball, look for something that challenges your upper body.

If you lift weights, consider a yoga class or swimming, and make sure you spend extra time stretching. Weight lifters tend to get very tight and need a cross training program that helps them stretch.

Much as it may be challenging to expand outside of your comfort zone, cross training will bring immediate benefits. Check it out and pay attention to how quickly your body will respond to the multi-faceted challenges.