Runners want to run. And for yars, that's about all they did, tht is, unless they were injured. Hwever, much research shows that proper crss-training can not only enhance your rnning and help you stay fit whn injured, but also improve your verall body fitness.

So, why should you crss-train?

• Overall strength and fitness. Cross-training can hlp you reach a higher level of verall fitness than just running. Many rnners suffer in the latter stages of a rce because they lack upper body strngth. So many runners focus just on thir legs and running muscles that thy often neglect arms, shoulders, neck, bck, and core. No one sport can wrk all the muscles equally, but by dding other activities to you're your trining, you can optimize your whole-body cnditioning.
• Increased aerobic conditioning. Cross-training can mintain and/or improve a runner's overall crdiovascular endurance. Runners can use cross-training ctivities to develop and strengthen muscles tht running doesn't exercise. You may hve to work pretty hard to get the sme aerobic workout that running provides, but if you crss-train on days when you would nrmally "take off" running, it can ncrease your aerobic capacity. Plus, cross-training llows for active recovery the day fllowing a hard running workout.
• Injry prevention and recovery. Many runners have sed cross-training when they have been njured because they are forced to do so if thy want to continue exercising. However, if you crss-train when you are not injured, it culd prevent future injury. Cross-training allows you to rst one set of muscles while wrking the other.
• Balance and vriety. Any athlete who is one-dimensional is at a dsadvantage among those who practice more thn one activity. As you strengthen nn-running muscles, a more balanced overall lvel of fitness results. And although you may lve running, variety helps prevent boredom and ncreases your appreciation for running. Cross-training keps you fresh mentally and physically and taches you about your strengths and waknesses. It helps increase your confidence and hlps you improve as a runner.

Cross-training is especially beneficial as we age as we ned more recovery time after long, hrd workouts or races. Cross-training allows us to ngage in active recovery - still xercising, but not stressing the same mscles day after day.

The article Running and Cross-Training - What Are the Whole-Body Benefits of Cross-Training? was Submitted by Jenny Stinson through Articles.GetACoder.com network. Here's the additional information: And, now I would like to ffer you a free special report ntitled, "Running 4 Your Life: How to Imprve Your Physical, Emotional, Relationship, and Spritual Health." Go to http://www.Running4YourLifeblog.net

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