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Alternate between the
treadmill and the trails...a change of scenery can refresh you! |
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Then hit the pool! |
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Variety is the
spice of your workout
Fight
boredom at the gym by mixing it up |
Getting in shape for golf season can sometimes wear on you
mentally more than physically. If you're tired of the same
old routine, try "Cross Training." Cross training is simply
a way of adding variety to your exercise program. You can
vary your aerobic routine and incorporate some muscular
strength and flexibility training as well.
The benefits of cross training are numerous. It reduces the
risk of injury because the same muscles, bones and joints
are not continuously subjected to the stresses of the same
activity.
Cross training also adds a variety to your workouts, making
your routine more interesting and easier to stick with. For
the athlete, it provides a break from the rigors and
stresses of single-sport training. Cross training will
improve your overall fitness and, over an extended period of
time, may ultimately lead to improved performance.
Whether you are new to exercise or a competitive athlete,
the essentials of cross training are the same. You can
choose to vary your routine from workout to workout or
simply add a new component within your existing exercise
program.
Beginners
Try alternating between activities:
- Walk one day, swim
or bicycle the next.
Or, you can alternate
activities within a single workout:
- 5-10 minutes on a
treadmill
- 5-10 minutes on a
stationary cycle
- 5-10 minutes on the
elliptical
- And so on for a
total of 20-30 minutes
Experienced
More experienced exercisers might begin an hour-long workout
with a 15-minute jog to a nearby pool. After a 20-minute
swim and perhaps a few minutes of calisthenics, they can
finish off their workout with a 15-minute jog back home and
several minutes of flexibility exercises.
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