I subscribe to the newsletter from Men’s Health and consistently find myself learning something new or a recipe, a new exercise or get further details on topics that I advocate:
Want to dominate every game, lift more weight, or set a PR in your next race? Then start training with a different sport. Cross-training not only prevents workout boredom (and therefore skipped sessions), it forces you to exercise muscle fibers you probably leave out of your regular routine. And that keeps you injury-free and helps you bust fitness plateaus. Just ask part-time hoops junkie Tony Gonzalez and occasional soccer player Chad Johnson.
If that weren’t enough, dabbling into other sports burns more fat from all over your body. Goodbye crunches, hello abs!
But you have to choose the right program for your goals. Follow this three-step process to find the ideal cross-training plan for your sport.
If you’re, say, a runner, cycling can make you faster and stronger when you pound the pavement. Or try swimming for a low-impact, core-chiseling workout.
In fact, training for a triathlon—or just mixing the three sports into your regular fitness routine—can be a great way to build muscle, melt fat, and achieve that lean, athletic look women love.
And who knows—maybe you’ll discover that after years of lifting weights, you were really meant to be a swimmer.
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At the current time, my cross-training encompasses Judo as my main activity, training for the Honolulu Marathon (my first marathon) in December and of course CrossFit. I’m finding the biggest benefit for me, contrary to the points of Men’s Health, is more mental than physical.
For some quick background, I sprained my right ankle and had my left knee hyper-extended about three years ago – there wasn’t a single brain wave that believed I could run further than a mile or two, let alone a marathon.
Since my first, I’ve now completed a second 12K and will complete another next month at the San Francisco Marathon (12K).
If inspiration crosses your path, I’d highly suggest you acknowledge and not be left int he dust – opportunity, motivation and inspiration pranced around me like that guy who wears a thong in public on that show Jackass.
