How Cross-Training Can Improve Your Performance

To truly be an expert in a field, you have to dig deep and go beyond surface-level interest or involvement. Depending on the field, this may mean more research, more practice, more experience, or simply more time in a hobby, sport, or profession. For athletes and active people of all kinds, it means practicing and becoming more proficient at the skills your sport or hobby requires. What you can’t blow off, however, is cross-training. It’s true, it doesn’t directly work with the skills you need for your sport—but in the long run, it can make a real impact by enhancing your performance!

Cross-training is a simple concept: you change up your normal work out and practices for something different that challenges other muscles or works your body in a new way. It’s like a runner who swims laps instead of running a couple times a week, or a soccer player who bikes or lifts weights instead of doing ball drills, or a football player who does yoga on days off. These alternate activities give your body a chance to take a break from the normal stresses and pressures of your sport, while still making it work hard.

This provides a lot of benefits for athletes of all levels. It’s a crucial strategy for preventing many overuse injuries. It helps you avoid boredom, both mentally and physically. It helps you stay in shape over all. It’s actually a strategy for recovery while you heal from sports-related injuries, too. In addition, it can work your supporting muscles and cardio, building up those areas. All of this together helps enhance your performance and makes you a better athlete.