Cross-training is just a fancy fitness-buff word for variety. So, instead of running every morning, alternate trips to the community pool, bike rides and yoga classes with your jogs, to get better results.
In addition to improving your overall fitness, and relieving boredom, according to the health experts at the Mayo Clinic, cross-training can also:
• Reduce your risk of injury. Mixing low and high-impact activities like running and yoga will relieve repetitive stress on joints, muscles and bones, helping to prevent injuries.
• Help you burn more calories. If you're looking forward to your next swim lesson or dance class every week you're more likely to stick with it and workout more often - which means you'll burn more calories.
• Take away your excuses. Your wrist is sore and you have to miss your Pilates class? That's OK because a quick jog will get your heart pumping and allow your wrist to rest, at the same time. If you have four or five activities to choose from there'll always be something you can do, and you'll never have to miss a workout.
Body and soul A study published in the Journal of the National Sexuality Research Centre in the US found that doing yoga helped women increase their body awareness, satisfaction with life and reduce negative emotions. Yoga's one activity that's good for your body, and your mind.
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