Cross Training - The Key To Fast Weight Loss

As human beings, we are creatures of habit. We tend to
create routines that guarantee a series of small pleasures
or comfort. Though routine can bring a sense of order to
life in an increasingly chaotic world, it can be
counterproductive when working out - following the same
exercise regimen over and over not only gets boring, but
can lead to exercise plateaus that can decrease your
results.

Performing the same activity repeatedly at the same level
makes the body more efficient, which eventually results in
lower caloric expenditure from the activity. In fact,
research shows that by sticking to just one activity, the
number of calories burned by exercisers may decrease as
much as 25 percent..

For instance, if you normally exercise for 45 minutes four
days a week on a treadmill with the same intensity and time
for each workout, over time you will not benefit as much as
you did when you began. Your body will become accustomed to
the routine, and it can become increasingly difficult for
you to meet your fitness goals. The repetitiveness also can
be boring - even with music, TV or a magazine for
distraction, the exercise might become mundane, which also
can decrease the likelihood you'll continue working out.

Fitness professionals agree the best solution to dodge
exercise plateaus and workout boredom is cross training.
Cross training simply means mixing together a variety of
exercise activities into a varied regimen. Cross training
works because of 'energy efficiency'. This means that your
body becomes accustomed to a certain type of exercise after
a period of time. If you mix it up, you are surprising your
body, which responds by burning more calories in an effort
to 'adjust' to the new exercise. For example, if you play
tennis after a long time, you feel sore the next day,
because it's something new for your body. As you play more
often, it get's easier to adjust (time to try something
new?)

Do you work out at a gym? Instead of 45 minutes on a
treadmill each time, jump on a Lifecycle exercise bike for
30 minutes, then spend 15 minutes on a stairclimber. Swim
one day and lift weights another. Health clubs with an
extensive choice of group exercise classes make cross
training a breeze; once a week try indoor cycling, step
aerobics or kickboxing. Check out the newest classes
emphasizing stretching and toning, such as Pilates or yoga.

Home exercisers also have options. Some treadmills can be
raised for steep hill climbing one day, lowered for running
flat the next. Or vary the intensity level - alternate
going hard for five minutes and easy for five minutes.
Premium equipment usually offers different exercise
programs to help spice up your workout. Just try
experimenting - even participating in a recreational
volleyball or softball league can add to a well-rounded,
varied workout regimen.

Clinical studies show most people plateau in their exercise
programs somewhere between their sixth and eighth week.
Exercisers should make sure they change their routines at
least that often to maintain workout efficiency and prevent
boredom. Ideally, having at least two different activities
should be alternated daily or conducted within the same
workout.

By taking the routine out of exercise, fitness fans can
reap positive results and enjoyment from their workouts.
The result - Feel better, look better - after all, variety
is the spice of life.

----------------------------------------------------
For more information and to register for free and get
full-color exercise routines, diet plans and grocery lists,
visit http://www.best-weight-loss-programs.net/ , for
exercises for women, visit http://www.toningforwomen.com/
and to train with Nitin, visit
http://www.phonefitnesstrainer.com/