Reasons why cross-training is worth a try
When it comes to getting into shape, whether that be to be toned, buff, or fit enough to run a marathon, cross-training is an excellent tool to make use of.
If you want to be the best version of yourself, in the physical sense, then you need to make the most of all the methods at your disposal. It’s easy to get stuck into a fitness routine rut.
When you do the same thing over and over, you are not teaching your body to step out of its comfort zone and try something new. Your body will get used to the repetition that you are throwing at it, and in turn, you won’t be making the most of your approach to fitness.
This is where cross-training comes in. This is the first of a two-part series in which the Fixx Nutrition team looks at how supplemental training can help professional and amateur athletes alike achieve their goals.
In this blog post, we’ll share a few key reasons why cross-training is so important.
First up, let’s take a look at what cross-training is.
What exactly is cross training
Cross-training is all about stepping outside your comfort zone, whether that be in the gym or the outdoors. It draws from a variety of disciplines and blends them into an energetic and vigorous workout.
At its core, cross-training combines different workout strategies into one comprehensive training session. A workout that combines weight lifting and cardio is a great example of cross-training, as is a high-intensity session combined with core work and gymnastics. While not everyone may be a fan, CrossFit does an excellent job of mixing up a variety of disciplines into one workout. There are plenty of other ways to achieve this though.
Reasons why you should be cross-training
Here are a few key reasons why you need to incorporate cross-training into your workout schedule.
Injury prevention
The first, and most important reason, to cross-train is to prevent injuries. When you do the same exercise day in and day out, your body gets used to repetition and movement. This can lead to overuse injuries, as well as a general deterioration of your muscles.
With cross-training, you can avoid these injuries by giving your body the chance to recover while you work other muscle groups. This will not only lead to a decrease in injuries but will also allow you to work out more frequently and with greater intensity.
Improved cardiovascular health
Cross-training can also improve your cardiovascular health. When you do the same exercise over and over, your heart gets used to the strain and doesn’t have to work as hard. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but if you are looking to improve your cardiovascular health, you need to challenge your heart.
Cross-training gives you the opportunity to do this by incorporating different exercises that will raise your heart rate. This will not only help to improve your cardiovascular health but will also give you more energy and help you to lose weight.
Better mental health
Mental health is often overlooked when it comes to fitness, but it is just as important as physical health. Exercise is a great way to improve your mental health, but it can be easy to get stuck in a rut. Doing the same thing over and over can lead to boredom and a lack of motivation.
Cross-training can help you to avoid this by keeping things fresh and exciting. This will not only improve your mental health but will also help you to stick to your workout routine.
Conditioning
In addition to the other benefits, cross-training can also help to improve your conditioning. When you do the same exercise all the time, your body gets used to the movement and doesn’t have to work as hard. This can lead to a plateau in your fitness level.
Cross-training helps to avoid this by incorporating different exercises that challenge your body in different ways. This will help you to continue to make progress and see results.
Active recovery
Last but not least, cross-training can also be used as a form of active recovery. Active recovery is important because it helps your body to recover from workouts and prevent injuries.
Cross-training gives you the opportunity to do this by incorporating low-impact exercises that help to increase blood flow and reduce inflammation. This will help you to recover from workouts more quickly and reduce your risk of injury.
Cross-training is a great way to improve your fitness, prevent injuries, and keep things fresh. If you are looking for a way to mix up your workout routine, cross-training is definitely worth a try.
Achieving your fitness goals with Fixx Nutrition
No matter what your fitness goals are, we can help you to achieve them with our line of healthy and delicious products. Our race packs, gels, and other high-quality fitness products like Fuel X are all designed to give you the nutrients you need to reach your goals – whether you are an amateur or professional athlete.
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Take a look at our other products here.