Cross Training - what do you do?

[SimpleCycle]

I was just wondering what sports/exercise other than cycling you all do? I mostly just ride but I want to start running again and my mom can't stop raving about pilates.

What activites do you feel have helped your cycling the most? What about your general fitness level?

[Nanci]

I think the cross training thing I love the most is yoga. It's a great workout, _really_ helps improve flexibility, and is very relaxing. _But_ it's hard to find the right instructor/class/facility...

Nanci

[tulip]

I rave about pilates, too. I only wish I had started earlier. It has helped my climbing, my back doesn't hurt anymore, and I sure look better. I haven't been overweight in a long time, but just mushy in the middle. Pilates has taken care of that. I also stand up straighter and feel more confident because I know I'm strong.

How's that for a rave?

[mtkitchn]

I like hiking and skiing, which are both leg strengthening. Distance swimming helps my aerobic conditioning when the weather's too bad to ride but I can get to the gym. I agree that yoga and Pilates are both great as well but don't get to do either one nearly enough! Not enough energy in my body, time on the clock or money in my wallet for all the great sports out there....*sigh*.

[Pedal Wench]

I hike too, and to train for that, I use a specially designed treadmill that has a 25% grade incline. What surprised me is how much cycling has helped with the hiking. I can climb much faster now, in fact, I'm probably faster climbing uphill than I am walking downhill!

[tattiefritter]

Mainly running now, which I restarted a couple of months ago after a two year period of only really cycling (my legs haven't forgiven me yet). I'm really enjoying it as I think it is giving me better overall fitness than cycling. Also get climbing (indoors at this time of year) a couple of times a week which helps my flexibility/balance etc and try to fit in some hill walking/scrambling when I get the chance. Would love to be able to do yoga again or pilates but I just can't fit in classes, they all seem to be on at the wrong time.

[kaybee]

I run (my first love -- sorry!) 4 days a week and lift weights 3 days a week. Right now I also have my bike on a trainer and am riding it 2-3 times a week until the weather warms up. Hubby doesn't like me riding by myself and he doesn't like riding when the temperature is below 50 (thin Southern blood), so the bikes won't see the outside world for another month or so.

KB

[DeniseGoldberg]

I ride outside whenever weather permits. During the non-biking season, that means weekend days only, with ride length depending on the temperature, ranging from 15 - 20 miles on really cold days (temps in the 20s) to 30+ miles on nicer days.

Off-the-bike exercise - I walk (fast walk, not technically racewalking, but fast enough...), use an elliptical trainer and a treadmill on inside exercise days, and do training with a fit ball. I used to take a Pilates class, but the class morphed into more Yoga and less Pilates and with that change I found it was no longer meeting my needs. I do some Pilates on my own, and I need to carve out some more time for that.

--- Denise

[caligurl]

weights, aerobics, step, kickboxing, some yoga.. i personally don't care for pilates.. but i know a lot of people do!

[Deanna]

Pilates and hiking mainly, with some arm and should weights thrown in. I just went to a Q&A with Levi Leipheimer and pilates is the only cross-training he does!

[Crankin]

During the winter, X country skiing (only once so far this yr), snow shoeing and local hiking in conservation land. I also do fast walking all year long. I just started to try running again. It's so painful to me, but it keeps the pounds off. I go to spin class twice, sometimes 3 times a week. Last yr. I worked out with a personal trainer twice a week or did Pilates. I haven't been able to motivate myself or get to that a lot so far. I recently started back to taking a step class once a week. I hadn't been in 3 yrs. My heart rate was up there, probably because I was trying not to embarrass myself!
I prefer being outside, so I try to do that as much as possible. I've actually ridden outside 4 times this winter.