Why Cross-Training Is Essential (and Improves Your DNA)

Including cross-training in your fitness program allows you to vary the stress placed on specific muscles and your cardiovascular system

By Get-Fit Guy Brock Armstrong

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Traditionally speaking, cross-training is what you likely imagine it to be: if you are a runner, for instance, you can throw in some cycling or swimming one or two days per week between your running workouts. Or if you are a cyclist, toss in a strength day and some yoga twice per week to break up the cycling workouts.

The benefits of cross-training go far beyond what you expect, and as I will explain, it can actually affect you on a genetic level.

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Examples of some cross-training activities include using swimming, yoga, cycling, resistance training, callisthenics, hiking, or even a sport like soccer or basketball mixed in with your regular training each week to help improve your overall aerobic capacity, build muscle mobility, flexibility, balance, and strength. But the benefits of cross-training go far beyond that, and as I will explain in a bit, cross-training actually affects you on a genetic level.

Mixing It Up

Including cross-training in your fitness program allows you to vary the stress placed on specific muscles and your cardiovascular system. It has also been known to reduce the possibility of an overuse or repetitive movement injury that can come from doing a single sport every day.

Let’s face it, after months of performing the same movements, again and again, your body will become very efficient at performing those specific movements. While that is advantageous for sport and competition, it severely limits the level of your overall fitness and also limits your potential for health and wellness in general.

Here is a short list of the more obvious things that cross-training can help with.

6+ Benefits of Cross-Training

Keeps you from getting bored with your workout regimen.
Allows you to seamlessly adjust your training plan if the weather (or life) gets in the way.
Strengthens and conditions your entire body, on many axis/planes of movement.
Reduces the risk of overuse or repetitive strain injuries.
Allows you to continue exercising parts of your body while the other parts rest.
Improves your overall mobility, balance, flexibility, and agility.

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