Everything You Need To Know About Cross Training For Runners

Up until recently, cross training hasn’t been mentioned as a side activity for runners. After all, runners always thought that they didn’t need to do any other activity since running already included minor exercises and even stretches. All this combined would provide runners not only with cardiovascular health but also as a way to increase speed. 

Discover everything you need to know about cross training.

Nevertheless, the reality is that there are a lot of cross training activities that runners can do that can supplement their training. These include fartleks, crunches, squats, among others. 

So, what are the benefits of cross training for runners?

The truth is that we can definitely say that there are many benefits of cross training for runners. The number one benefit would be to remain motivated. Just think about yourself whenever you are thinking about running. You probably think about the playlist that you’re going to take with you to keep you motivated. After all, repetition is always terrible and in what concerns to exercise, it is even worse since it can demotivate you. So, you can use cross training for runners as an alternative to just running. This will keep your workouts a bit different and you’ll find the motivation for both activities. 

However, the benefits of cross training for runners involve more than just the motivational factor. The truth is that when you add diversity to your workouts, it tends to be a plus for your body. 

Find out the elliptical cross trainer benefits.

When your only workout is running, you are forcing and making pressure on the same muscles over and over again. So, you may end up with injuries in these muscles or even in the tendons or ligaments. In addition, as you probably already know, maintenance is an important part of your training. When you have set goals for yourself, cross training for runners can definitely help you achieve them. 

Since cross training includes so many different activities, you should focis on those skills that you usually don’t train during your regular workouts. Just think of endurance or speed, for example. 

So, what about the disadvantages of cross training for runners?

Like everything in life, cross training for runners also has some disadvantages.

One of the things that we see happening over and over again is that runners demand too much from their bodies and between running and cross training, they don’t give their bodies any rest. So, they end up being more prone to injuries. I addition, this also happens to beginners as well. 

These are the 6 things you need to know about cross training.

In case you are only now considering cross training for runners, you need to ensure that you take it as a way to cool you down and to get you ready. Since you shouldn’t be close to being in the best running shape yet or you breaking any records, you need to consider cross training for runners as a way to cool down and as a help to get you back to training without any injury. 

In our opinion, new runners should only do cross training for runners on the recovery day between runs or on the day before a run. 

So, should runners do cross training for runners?

Overall, the answer is yes. However, you need to consider doing it with moderation and strategically. Both new and established runners need to be careful to not get more injuries and to not abuse cross training for runners.