Take a Fitness Tip from Alanis Morissette

By , SparkPeople Blogger
In a recent interview for Women's Health magazine, Alanis Morissete talks not only about her emotional song-writing, but also her fitness routine. (Who knew that she's finished a few triathlons? Go her!) One of the tips she shares is great advice for any exerciser, whether you want to lose weight, prevent boredom, or just increase your overall fitness level.

When asked how she stays fit on the road, Alanis says, "I'm a cross trainer. One day I'll go bicycling, and the next I'll do some kickboxing or go for a long walk. Basketball and volleyball are my favorite sports. I dance, too. Doing the same thing every day is not right for my temperament."

I have to say, she's on to something (and it's obviously working for her, as she's in great shape)! Put simply, cross training means participating in a variety of different forms of exercise, either within each session (for example, biking for 15 minutes and then running for 15 minutes) or day-to-day (for example, running 2 days a week, cycling 2 days a week, and swimming 1 day a week).

Not only does cross-training help prevent you from getting stuck in a workout rut, but, it also surprises your body's muscles so that you can prevent (or overcome) plateaus, and take your fitness to the next level. It can also help prevent injury, since doing the same movements over and over again can result in muscle imbalances or overuse injuries.

Photo Source: Screen capture from www.WomensHealthMag.com

Are you a cross trainer like Alanis or stuck in a workout rut? Tell us below!