What are the benefits of cross-training?

Cross-training can keep a person motivated to exercise, assist with working around injuries, encourage performance based work rather than a constant dreary focus on fat loss, help people find skill or interests they may not have realized they had, provide opportunities to be fit in multiple areas (strength, balance, flexibility, cardiovascular fitness). It might be a way to engage with other people who like to exercise. Prevents boredom and burnout (overtraining). It also may allow the body to recover, such as providing exercise options on non-weight lifting days that do not interfere with muscle recovery.

increased fat loss, and better cardiovascular fitness

Hi Jerry,

As mentioned above, cross-training can be key in preventing overuse injuries. Some other benefits:

~ Keeps the body guessing - so you never become too efficient at any one routine.

~ Reduces boredom.

All great answers!

Yes, you will help reduce boredom and overuse injuries, but one of the best reasons to cross train is that it gives you an opportunity to discover a new way to exercise or a new sport. Not to mention the change in exercise shocks your body and increases your potential for fat loss!

I would first have to ask you what you mean by cross-training. Do you mean including both cycling and running/walking, swimming and aerobics classes, strength training and flexibility? I'm not being facetious. In my opinion, a good fitness program includes cardio, strength and flexibility training. As suggested the greater the variety of exercises you can introduce your client to, the less likely that client will become bored with a routine.

With athletes, however, the primary question is how to reduce the risk of repetitive use injury. When I was coaching collegeate nordic skiers, we would cycle in the summer and fall to maintain c-v fitness with somewhat similar movements, but allow the tissues of the shoulder and shouder girdle to recover.

I agree with many of the answers given that it's a great way to allay the potential for boredom!

Take care.

Reduces boredom, overuse, and and imbalances.

To me, the two biggest benefits of cross-training is to help avoid overuse injury by using your body in ways different from your 'normal' uses, and to keep things fresh by allowing an 'escape' from your normal routine.

LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com
larue.cook@lecfitness.com

Muscles need to be surprised and used in a variety of ways in order for them to constantly respond and improve.
Doing the same things over and over again is so BORING to the mind and muscles.

Cross training comes in so many variations, it's the way to go!
I always tell my clients "muscles have memory" let's shake that memory up!