Cross Training and Sports Specific Exercise
The Two Different Types of Training Explained
© Kim Ford
Oct 18, 2009
Training is a must for sports people. Professional athletes train every day to ensure their bodies are in the best possible shape to perform their chosen sport at high level competitions. Their lives are very often determined by their training and eating patterns.
Less serious sports people will attend training sessions to learn and become better at their chosen sport while amateur sports people will often train very hard to ensure their bodies are at their peak to perform in competitions or matches against others at the same level.
There are two types of training a sports person can do: cross training and sports specific training.
Sports Specific Training
Most training sessions are sports specific. This type of training means that the exerciser is actually performing their chosen sport during the exercise session. There are benefits to sports specific training as technique can be worked on at the same time.
Anyone attending a training session run by a club or team will perform sports specific exercises. The sessions will usually be lead by a coach or a person who is very experienced in the chosen sport.
Sports specific training for swimming or running will often include sprints to work on speed or long distances to work on endurance while basketball and netball training sessions will often involve various passes and footwork drills.
Cross Training Workouts
When a sports person works out but is not performing their chosen sport, they are cross training. Some of the more popular spots which relate well to cross training include cycling, swimming, rowing and triathlon. Training sessions in a gym can be devised to relate to any sport. Many professional athletes include gym sessions into their exercise routines or will go jogging or cycling.
Cross training workouts can help exercisers to develop the main muscles they use within their sport through weight training. Exercisers are also able to improve their general fitness through cross training and this will help them to perform better out on the sports field. Professional swimmers for example, will often start the day in the pool before spending the afternoon working out in the gym to improve their upper body muscles while footballers may go for a jog to work on their cardio fitness.
Who Can Help With Training Sessions?
Gym instructors and personal trainers are available in most gyms and can easily devise a training plan that will suit the specific requirements of any individual. For sports specific training plans, coaches and people with experience in the sport can help devise training plans and give tips as to what an individual should include in their training.
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