Say the words “cross training” to a runner or walker and you get that look, you know the one, the “rolling eyes” and the unspoken “please stop talking to me…” You can also see it in their faces, “yes I should cross train, yes it is good for me, yes, please go away and stop talking to me…..”. However, cross training is very important for runners and walkers and for that matter, all athletes. Cross training works different muscle sets, it help you get stronger (so you can improve your endurance and stamina), it gives you a mental break and also breaks up your workout week. Face it, no one wants to or should run/walk every single day. Spend at least 2 days a week cross training and you will renew your enthusiasm for running or walking.
Consider these types of exercise to supplement your running and walking workouts.
Yoga – great for stretching out all muscle groups. Look for a Slow Flow or Yin class, these will spend the most time in gentle stretching.
Bicycling – not talking the Tour De France here, just a nice gentle bike ride. You will use different muscles but can still get a good cardio workout if you want to push yourself. You can also use biking to stay in cardio shape if for some reason you can’t run or walk.
Swimming – great to build your cardio endurance, also works on your core and breathing patterns. If you can’t swim, you may want to reach out to a swim coach to give you some tips. On a personal note, when I got back to swimming about 12 years ago my running improved dramatically because my breathing and cardio capacity increased.
Roller Blading – uses some of the same muscles as in running and it great for a cardio workout.
Weight training/TRX/Boot Camp/Crossfit – all of these are good because they work very different muscle groups than your running/walking ones. They all will help you build your core which will help your running and walking.
This is just a partial list, there is also Pilates, Zumba, Aerobics, golf, tennis, kayaking and others, the important thing is to use these as tools to improve your running or walking. There are also other side benefits, when you do any activity you are improving your health and wellness, you are setting a good example for others and you will feel better.
Like I always say…just get out and move!