Cross training ‘has many physiological benefits’

Soldiers who want to take their fitness to the next level should get involved with cross training, which one expert says can do wonders.

Kathleen Finn, a freelance writer and marketing consultant in the natural health industry, says that as well as working lots of different muscles, it adds some variety to workouts and makes them more interesting.

Troops will soon see the difference if they start cross training, with the combination of aerobics, strength training and flexibility coming together to make them super-fit individuals.

"Variety in your exercise choices yields significant physiological benefits … by using different muscle groups, your muscles adapt more easily to new activities. In addition, alternating muscle groups help you avoid overuse injuries. Good cross training leaves no muscle group behind," Ms Flynn claims.

Marco Borges, an exercise physiologist who has worked with everyone from Jay-Z to Gwen Stefani, told the Miami Herald recently that the key joints to work on to build muscle mass are the elbows, shoulders, hips and knees.

Posted by Mark Wilkins