Melton Messenger April 2020

8
Cross-train to achieve your sporting goals
Whatever your sport or training goals
mixing it up with different activities can
pay dividends in terms of overall fitness,
strength, speed and endurance, writes
Michael Cooke.
My life has always been full of running but age
and injury have a habit of catching up with you
sooner or later, so rather belatedly I’m
discovering the benefits of
cross training, dynamic
stretching and sports
massage to keep body (and
soul) together. Movement is
improvement as the saying
goes.
By cross-training we
generally mean aerobic
activities which complement
your training programme
such as swimming, cycling,
rowing, weight training and
kettlebells. You’ll add a bit
of variety and help rectify some muscle
imbalances to make your whole body stronger,
able to withstand greater stresses and strains.
It’s a great way to avoid boredom and reduces
the risk of injury, too, in particular the tendency
to succumb to the same kind of problem time
and again. Focusing on other parts of your
body has other benefits, too, helping you to
tone up and stay trim.
Adding a stretch class, pilates or yoga to your
weekly routine will improve your flexibility and
core strength and your body will perform more
efficiently as a result.
Think of it as active recovery, prompting your
body to repair any muscle damage and
replenish glycogen. You are stimulating blood
flow to tired muscles, flushing out any lingering
toxins and getting fitter. Add some rest and a
good night’s sleep and you’ll feel 10 years
younger and ready for the next new challenge.
Another way to keep in top top shape is to
utilise sports massage. Deep tissue massage
techniques reduce muscular tension,
discomfort and soreness. It warms the muscles
up to increase local blood
circulation and aid the muscle
repair and healing process.
It can play a vital role in
maintaining your body’s
equilibrium and increase range
of motion and performance. It
will also give you a better
understanding of your own
biomechanics and areas of
weakness to work on.
All you need to start with is an
exercise mat and a foam or massage roller.
There is a lot of expert help out there, be they
coaches, instructors or sports massage
therapists, and once you have grasped it you
can develop your own cross-training and active
recovery plan. And where it will lead you is the
exciting part!
Michael Cooke - Melton Sports.
Why not come visit our pop-up shop?
We will be at the Hamilton Tennis Club on
April 2nd, The Melton Mowbray Tennis
Club on April 18th and at Long Clawson
Village Hall ( Clawson 10k) on April 26th.
Open: Tues-Fri 9am - 5.30pm Sat 8.30am - 5pm Sun/ Bank hols 11am - 3pm
Telephone : 01664 668191 email : meltonsports@gmail.com
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6 King Street Melton Mowbray LE13 1XA