Cross Training - what do you do?

[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.

[MomOnBike]

I like to swim to help condition the muscles my bike doesn't touch - basically anything above my hips. I concentrate on using my arms more as I swim, just for this reason.

Sadly, the pool I'm using is closing for renovations soon, so I fear I'm going to have to go back into the weight room. I can do it, it's just that lifting weights is boring as all get-out.

I've done some Pilates and ball work, too. I'd probably do one or the other again, if I could find a cheap enough class that fits my schedule.

[Pax]

For my cross training I like to alternate between having beer in the evenings to having wine, sometimes I throw in some chips and popcorn to mix things up a bit.

[yellow]

For my cross training I like to alternate between having beer in the evenings to having wine, sometimes I throw in some chips and popcorn to mix things up a bit.

Ah, Queen, I see you're like me...you prefer the salty to the sweet.

In addition to eating and mondo chuckit sessions with my pooch, in the winter I XC ski (both classic and skate), tele ski, weight train, and on a very very rare occasion break into a run and in the summer I do lots of hiking. I think the thing that has really helped my cycling the most is the weight training and PUSHUPS. You don't have to do a lot with the weights...just a couple of days a week. I like yoga OK but it's just one of those activities that you can't do with a very hyper dog around ("Oh! You're on the floor! That must mean you want to play with this squeaky toy!"). I can usually sneak in my pushups sets when she is off doing something else (3 sets of 20 every night...working back up to 5 sets). Never done pilates. Maybe some day.