Running and fitness maintenance

[MezzoEmi]

Simple question, but...how often a week should I run to maintain peak physical condition?

[Flower]

I've read at least 3. I've also read that it's good to cross train. Helps to keep other areas of your body strong, which improves your running.

[MezzoEmi]

I run consistently every other day (3 miles) and do weights every day. Do you think that's comparable to cross-training? :shy:

[Elena99]

I thought cross-training just meant two of a work-out regime (running and yoga, running and weights, running and cycling, cycling and swimming, swimming and weights, etc) so yup, that should work.

[Jinga]

Doing the same thing every week should allow you to maintain your current fitness status. However, if you wish to achieve greater fitness, its best to vary your workout every couple of months to keep your body challenged.

Three times a week of running is a good number. Muscles require recovery time, so doing the same exercise everyday, could lead to overuse injuries. Plus ... if you can perform the same exact thing everyday chances are the activity is not challenging enough. Its great that you also do strength training. Do you alternate the muscle groups worked each session? One thing you may want to try is to replace one of your usual workouts with something new and 'unexpected' one day each week. The variety will challenge body parts not used in your normal regime. I would also suggest you make sure to have one day off where you don't do anything strenuous.

[Flower]

:yes: What they said! :)