You may be in great shape, for the sort of exercise you do routinely do,in our case, Triathlon. But if that's all you do, day after day, you may be setting yourself up for injury or mental burnout and that is never a good thing when you are always looking at improving and developing as a triathlete. What can help prevent injury and burnout? ......... CROSS TRAINING.
Cross training is a great way to condition different muscle groups, develop a new set of skills, and reduce boredom that creeps in after months of the same exercise routines. Cross training also allows you the ability to vary the stress placed on specific muscles or even your cardiovascular system. After months of the same movements your body becomes extremely efficient performing those movements, and while that is great for competition, it limits the amount of overall fitness you possess and reduces the actual conditioning you get while training; rather than continuing to improve, you simply maintain a certain level of fitness. Cross training is also necessary to reduce the risk of injury from repetitive strain or overuse.
While it is necessary for an athlete to train specifically for their sport if they want to excel, for most athletes cross training is a beneficial training method for maintaining a high level of overall fitness. For example, you might want to try kayaking each week to improve your overall aerobic capacity, build overall muscle strength and reduce the chance of an overuse injury. Cross training limits the stress that occurs on a specific muscle group because different activities use muscles in slightly different ways.
COME AND ENJOY THE RG ACTIVE EXPERIENCE.
&sllX-TRAINING for Triathlon - KAYAKING
Get fitter for Triathlon, not doing Triathlon, swimming, cycling or Running!
I have been thinking of ways to make our Winter Training more varied, more interesting and to keep us all inspired during the cold dark days of winter. At the same time I am looking to keep it FUN and ENJOYABLE which is most important.
More and more people are finding alternatives to the normal swim, bike and run sessions to keep things different and to prevent themselves getting stale and stuck in a rutt!.
They call this Cross-Training and the idea is to use similar or the same muscles you would use across the three triathlon disciplines but at the same time learn a new sport, a new skill and get a great workout.
Below are a few questions and the answers to them:
- So what is the Session?
The session is KAYAKING!
- What is Kayaking?
Kayaking is the use of a kayak for moving across water. Kayaking is generally differentiated from canoeing by the sitting position of the paddler and the number of blades on the paddle. A kayak is defined by the International Canoe Federation as a boat where the paddler faces forward, has their legs in front of them, and uses a double bladed paddle. Almost all kayaks have big decks. If you, like myself have never known the difference between a kayak and a canoe. A canoe is defined as a boat where the paddler faces forward and kneels in the boat, using a single bladed paddle.
- How will this benefit me?
Getting the kayak moving is an aerobic activity even though you’re sitting down. The strong short strokes increase blood flow and heart rate, using more oxygen. You’ll actually exert your entire body, not just the arms. The control points for steering and balance are your hips, knees and feet. Legs help keep you balanced and provide power to the strokes. Use the torso, back and shoulders to preserve arm strength. So to relate that to your triathlon training and it will be great for your upper body (swimming), great for your core and abdominal strength (running and cycling). The fact that kayaking is an aerobic exercise makes it great for your general fitness and for those of you (like me) that are prone to an injury here and there, kayaking is low impact!
- What equipment do I need?
Nothing! All of the equipment is included in the price of the session (wetsuit, kayak, life jacket, paddle). If you did want to bring your own wetsuit you are more than welcome but not necessary. If you can bring a warm jumper or fleece, a waterproof jacket, a hat and sunglasses (if the sun happens to be shining) and finally a change of clothes for after the session.
- Where, when and how much?
WHERE - Ham Lake where we hold the Open Water swim sessions throughout the Summer.
Sunday 19th September 2010 and will run from 9:00am - 12:00am
Note: The 3 hour session shouldn't scare you off as this will cover basic kayak instructions, safety briefing and session time.
HOW MUCH? - The session will be 40.00 GBP and this does include all of the equipment hire on the day.
- I have never been in a Kayak before?
Don't worry, the session will cover EVERYTHING from what to wear, how to get in and out of the kayak safely and will be suited to ALL abilities and fitness levels. I know you are all happy in the water and good swimmers so none of you have any excuses!
- How many places are available for this session?
This first session is limited to 16 places and it will be first come, first served so make sure you get your place booked for the first 'non triathlon, triathlon training session' of the 2009/10 winter season with RG Active.
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