We all know that running is a great workout. It's challenging to both your strength and
stamina. It's simple, just put on your
shoes and go. And it's adaptable to your
schedule and location. So why add cross-training to your running workouts?
Simply put, there will be times when you can't or shouldn't run. Inclement weather, a work schedule that
limits your access to the outdoors at reasonable hours, a nagging injury, or a
desire to increase your cardiovascular fitness without increasing the load on
your tendons and joints are all reasons to consider adding cross-training into
your plan.
When adding a second type of
workout to your fitness regimen, the convenience of your home fitness equipment
is second only to the convenience of a run right outside your door. You might even find it more accessible when
summer temperatures sky rocket or the autumn rain starts to pour. Cross training for runners has two general
purposes: to make you a stronger runner, or to maintain fitness while preventing
injury. The result you're seeking from
cross-training will determine which equipment and which workouts will be the
most effective in enhancing your running.
Stronger Running: If you're seeking improvements in your
running times and performance, but find you're at the maximum of the miles your
body can handle, you'll want to add a workout that closely mimics running
outdoors. Adding in quality workouts on
the elliptical trainer can improve your running performance while limiting the
strain on your joints and tendons. The
key to this type of workout is to challenge your cardiovascular fitness through
interval training (if you're looking to add speed to your running) or distance
(if you're looking to add endurance).
This type of workout is also a good option if you find that the weather,
your schedule, or other uncontrollable factors are limiting the running
workouts in your week.
Injury Prevention: While running provides a great payoff in terms
of fitness gains and calories burned, most of us can't withstand the impact and
physical demands of running every day.
If you're looking to complement your running with a workout that will
continue to burn calories and allow you to recover from your running workouts,
you might want to consider adding a cycling workout through the use of a
recumbent bike. The key with this type
of workout is to look at it as a form of active recovery. You want to work hard enough to enter the
bottom end of aerobic training (65% of your max heart rate) in order to
increase blood flow to the muscles you work during your running workouts and to
maximize your calorie burn. Workouts
should be at least 30 minutes, more, if you're working on losing weight.
If you're looking for more on the benefits of cross-training
and how to choose your cross-training activity, take a look at this
link. You can also read more about
the physical and psychological benefits of different types of cross training
activities through this
link. And finally, here's
one more resource on choosing your activity with your running goal in mind.
Want to share? We'd love to hear more
about how you're using your Horizon fitness equipment to complement your
running workouts.