Cross-training is a highly effective way to build strength and endurance. When you focus on one or two types of exercise alone, your body become used to those exercises and not only will you plateau, you will also struggle with reaching your maximum strength potential. It also keeps your workouts from getting boring and keeps your mind engaged in the process.
Different forms of exercise complement one another. Yoga can lengthen and tone your body and give you longer strides and more endurance in running. High Intensity Interval Training can make steady aerobic work easier. Heavy weight lifting can make lifting your own body weight easier. You should incorporate several different types of workouts, not just one or two, into your regime.
We tend to resist the workouts that are foreign to us, but our bodies need to be challenged in new ways on a regular basis in order to reach their maximum potential. A weight lifter may shy away from a Yoga class, but flexibility is an important component to building muscle mass. A runner may skip weight training, but taking the time to build muscle will make the cardio workouts more effective.
A new challenge to your body will also enable you to surpass your current physical abilities. If you are unable to do push-ups on your toes, lifting heavy weights can give you the muscle you need to support your own body weight. It is possible to build the strength your body needs with push-ups alone, but adding weight training can speed up the process.
Try branching out this week and adding one or two new forms of exercise to your routine. Consistently practice various forms of exercise and notice the improvements you make in your current exercise choice.
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