The Importance of Cross-Training: How to take your fitness to the next level

It’s an ongoing battle – runners can’t enough of the trails, skiers spend their days on the snow, cyclists never leave the saddle, and yogis tend to stay glued to their mats. Athletes of all different backgrounds can’t get enough of their individual sport, and for good reason.the importance of cross-training to take your fitness to the next level

When you find something you like, you tend to do more of it. This can be both a blessing and a curse. Athletes can rack up hours working on their craft, and in turn, run the risk of either an overuse injury or hitting a fitness plateau.

What is Cross-Training?

One of the best ways to minimize this risk while staying as active as possible is by switching it up. In other words, if you’re an athlete you should be cross-training.

Don’t get us wrong. We here at Zephyr love our spin classes. But, we also know the importance of effective and safe training.

In order to prevent injury, avoid overtraining, and be our strongest selves, cross-training is a big component of our fitness regime. That’s one of the reasons why we partnered with Pure Barre and Ekam Yoga from the get-go. We want to not only support our fitness community, but also give our riders the opportunity for a well- rounded and effective training routine.

Why is Cross-Training Important?

Cross-training can provide incredible benefits to athletes of all disciplines. We’ve outlined some of the major reasons why you should cross-train below.

 

Prevents overuse injuries.

Training in a different sport can help protect those muscles and joints that may be getting too much use normally. It can also help prevent an injury from returning. For example, indoor cycling can be a great cross-training technique for a runner fighting a past knee injury. The low-impact training that cycling provides protects your knee joints and can increase your cardiovascular function.

 

Helps athletes come back from an injury.

As mentioned above, cross-training can provide a sweat-drenched workout even for those with an existing injury – and can help you recover safely. It will help keep your fitness level up by staying active in another discipline.

 

Prevents a fitness plateau.

Repetition creates monotony – not to mention the possibility of a fitness plateau. . By switching things up and trying out another activity, you will help your body and mind avoid a plateau.

 

Raises overall fitness level.

Most sports rely on a certain group of muscles to do most of the work. Even though you develop strength and mobility in these regions, you often neglect other areas of your body. By trying other workouts and incorporating cross-training into your routine, you will strengthen other muscles and balance out your body, priming yourself to more readily handle physical situations.

 

It allows you to try something new!

If you’re a weight lifter, swimmer, or ballerina through and through, cross-training doesn’t mean you have to label yourself as something else. It just allows you to try something new, switch up your training regime, and become an even better athlete than you were before.

 

Want to try cross-training, but don’t know where to start? Check out the latest addition to our schedule (and the first one that’s off the bike): Zephyr Define, a 50 minute strength- and cardio-focused class that incorporates yoga and HIIT elements as well as small hand weights to define and tone strong muscles. Check our schedule to book a spot in our next class!

Additionally, our January Passport challenge is still happening! Pick up your passport at either Zephyr, Pure Barre or Ekam and go to five classes at each studio this month (we’ll stamp your passport after each class) to receive a free week at all three in February – you can choose which week you spend where. Check out the latest addition to our schedule (and the first ont that’s off the bike): Zephyr Define. Stop by the studio or give us a call to learn more!

If you’re an athlete in another discipline, indoor cycling is a great way to cross-train. Check out our blog post on 5 Tips to Rock Your First Zephyr Class.