What Really is Cross Training?

Today my instructions were " 50 minute run or cross training".  I thought that meant to do another sport for a day - like cross over to biking or kickboxing.  I figured this would rest certain muscles and use other muscles and that was the point of cross training. I had heard of cross training shoes, which I thought meant you could use for multiple sports.

I looked it up on the ultimate source of all things - GOOGLE - and that is pretty much it.  But it also mentioned that sometimes it is called circuit training.  Funny thing, last week when I was at a Colorado resort, paid for by my generous sister and her husband, I took a class titled circuit training.  It is the best thing for those who get bored easily.  Every minute and a half, you change exercise.  Now even I can do sit ups for a minute and a half.  I won't say it was fun, but it was not boring.  And our  instructor kept telling us we were doing great - what do you expect at a resort.

So today, I did my own version of circuit training.  I did the elliptical machine for 10 minutes, Russian 50 for 5 minutes (this includes arm weights  and lifting), back to the elliptical for 10. a leg machine that does abductor and whatever the opposite is, back to elliptical, then arm machines, and back to the elliptical to get to 50 minutes.  It was not that bad.  The only problem is that I left my water bottle on the elliptical machine and a girl tracked me down to see if I was finished.  She wanted it because it was a newer machine than the three that were available.  After that, I quit holding my elliptical when I was off doing circuit.   I must tell her about this great change up exercise regimen.  

Honestly, I like this ADD exercise circuit training.  It gives me variety and I think it probably is good for my weak calf muscle.  Maybe next week I'll add sit ups.

Changing it up is good for runners,
TVW