Cross trainers

[Ajs07]

Just bought 2nd hand cross trainer on eBay. Do I :

Day 1 run

Day 2 cross train

Day 3 rest

Or

Day1 run

Day2 cross train/rest

Day 3 run

Any advice gratefully received x

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

So long as you don't overdo it, the cross trainer will benefit your running and genera fitness.

Most forms of exercise do not need the rest days recommended for new runners, so you can do them every day. It is the impact of running that requires you to rest, not the action of moving your legs.

If you consider that every time your foot hits the ground while running you can be transmitting up to six times your body weight through your legs, then it is easy to understand that muscles get stressed and damaged in micro tears and bones get distorted and stressed also. All that ultimately repairs and strengthens, but if you ran every day you are creating new damage before the previous wounds are healed.

Non impact cross training will work muscles gently, increasing blood flow to speed up the repair, so a winner all round.

At least one day a week resting completely would be a good idea.

[Ajs07 Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you so much , I was only aiming to use it for same length of time as I would be running on non run days , I work 3 days a week so they would be my complete rest days. I was hoping the cross trainer would increase muscle strength and stamina in between runs 😁