Wednesday, May 2, 2018

Not just the spice...



Cross-training can be good for us.  At the most basic level, it keeps us from getting bored, both mentally and physically.  Doing the same thing every workout allows us to go into autopilot, making it difficult to move mindfully.  The body, without any novel challenge, settles into a rut and stops making progress.

Changing up the kind of workout we do also helps prevent repetitive stress injuries.  We’ve all heard of tennis elbow and runner’s knee; those injuries come from doing the same thing over and over and over.  It’s one thing if we are professional athletes who make our livings in one particular sport.  The rest of us can mix it up, resting whatever is worn out and working something else.

If it has been all about the running, try some swimming.  Too much dance?  Maybe it’s time for Pilates.  Is everything stiff from all that weight training?  Yoga class to the rescue!  Variety can save the day.

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