Unconventional Cross Training for Runners
Oh hey lovelies.
Recently I was out for coffee with one of my running mentors and they were talking to me about strength training.
“You need to do something about your strength training routine, lady. Your calves are the size of my ankles.”
Maybe it was a bit of an exaggeration but a solid point was raised. Incorporating strength training and cross training movements into a regular run routine is a vital part of staying strong.
Before I go ANY FURTHER, I wanted to post a video that I shared on my facebook page yesterday showing that athletes come in all shapes and sizes:
I am grateful that warmer weather is going to bring more opportunities to do activities outside and I plan to up my paddling, SUPPing, mountain biking, and essentially just live outside when I am not at the office. That being said, the weather still isn’t perfect for these activities and although I am running and cycling outside, I am playing around with a few strength and cross training options. A fitness trend this year seems to be an increased number of awesome places to work out with new fitness programs and I am not complaining. Here are some of my favourite, more unusual cross training exercises that are awesome for runners.
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Cross fit at AOL –
I love this spot in Toronto. It certainly showed my need for increased strength training as I was sore for 4 days after the workout. They offer free community classes throughout the week if you want to try it before you go. The free trials are more like metabolic conditions that offer explosive strength which help with speed, amazing stretches and every movement leaves me saying “I need to do this more.”
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Anti-gravity yoga –
This one is on my bucket list. I have been told that you spend a fair amount of time upside down which has kept me from giving it a go, but it involves pilates, calisthenics and aerial acrobatics. The core and stability work will help to prevent injuries in running.
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Boxing –
Yes. My gloves are hot pink.
I normally spend a little bit more time each winter boxing than I did this year because the plyometrics are amazing, but too many plyometrics with a run training load tend to cause injuries for me. I love this for building strength in my off season.
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Rock climbing –
Throwback to my climbing days in 2013 when I had upper body strength
I have spent time at Grand River Rocks in the past free climbing to prepare for adventure races such as RIG that require some repelling and climbing. Going into that with no experience is never ideal.
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Jacobs Ladder –
They have one at my Goodlife Fitness and I often do a rotating work out with this, the row machine and the stair master to strengthen running muscles.
What are some of your favourite, more unconventional cross training exercises?
I have really been aware of how essential cross-training is for injury prevention and just overall body balance. I have only been at the gym now for a few weeks and already notice a difference in how my body feels and that I feel generally stronger – which is an awesome feeling 🙂 My usual cross-training now is strength training at the gym and regular yoga…neither of which are particularly unconventional…
The other thing that I think falls into the cross-training category and maybe a more unconventional type of cross-training is actually housework! I know it sounds strange but we have an older two-storey home with all hardwood floors which takes anywhere from an hour to and hour and a half to vacuum. I gotta say lugging around an older Electrolux vacuum and trying to move quickly definitely gets my heart rate up and a little be of a sweat. Same with cleaning the bathrooms – we have two and I just try and be vigorous and build in some squats while cleaning the walls and shower and such…
Is that just totally weird? I don’t know but I do know that it helps keep my body moving and I find I stay feeling more limber – especially if its done later in the day after a long run or hard run workout.
All in all though I just like anything that gets me moving 🙂 and yes athletes come in all shapes and sizes!