Wanting to get better and stronger in your sport has produced many training regimens over the years and cross training has a solid track record, if you’ll pardon the pun, of coming across with the promised goods.
If you are unfamiliar with the concept, it is dead easy and a breeze to integrate into your workout routine. It doesn’t matter what your sport is or what your training goals are, you train at something that is different from your normal event.
This is also where it gets fun.
Pick physical activities that you enjoy, or maybe have never tried, and go play! The idea here is to take a vacation both physically and mentally from your regular routine. If the activity gets your body out and moving, with perhaps a bit of a challenge too, then that’s a great choice.
Experiment with different activities and see how your body responds, both during the activity as well as the results in the Spring when you return to your sport. Keep it fun.
For those of us accustomed to endurance events (running, cycling, swimming, etc.), the incorporation of weights and resistance training during the off-season can pay tremendous benefits when returning to your regular training routine.
So this time of year when we start building a mileage base, what little endurance we have lost from time away from our primary activity is complemented by a greater gain in strength. Especially in our core trunk muscle groups.
There is an added psychological boost too. With your added strength, those little hills (or sometimes canines) that used to challenge your rhythm now become a little blip in the road. There’s nothing like squashing an opponent – even if it is just an inanimate object, to keep you motivated.
Speaking of motivation, we all know that it is a real and almost tangible thing year round. Keeping our heads in the game is a big part of our training. Understanding that everyone contends with this demon helps.
And for those of us who have been away from exercise for a while, or just never really got into it, it is never too late to start. The benefits, both mentally and physically, are really there. There would not be so many people who regularly participate if there wasn’t something to attract them to physical activity.
As you can see, there are all sorts of options open for you to participate in. Just open the door and come on out. You are always welcome.
“Your biggest challenge isn’t someone else. It’s the ache in your legs and the voice inside that yells can’t, but don’t listen. You just push harder and then you hear the voice whisper can and you discover that the person you thought you were is no match for the person you really are.”
-Unknown
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