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.
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