Most great athletes are synonymous with their sport. You see Kelly Slater, you think surfing; Julia Mancuso, skiing. But here鈥檚 the thing: Even pros do other sports. Slater, for instance, swears by jiujitsu, CrossFit, and free diving to stay at the top of his game. And Mancuso tow-in surfs.
Why? 鈥淰ariety keeps you challenged physically and mentally, which means faster total fitness gains,鈥 says . Plus, if you鈥檙e always doing the same workouts, you run a higher risk overuse injuries, muscle imbalances, staleness, and boredom.
Vow to change it up. The goal is to capitalize on what you already enjoy and to work new muscles, build strength in new planes, and increase your agility. 鈥淲hat I don't recommend,鈥 Sims says, 鈥渋s taking an adrenaline junkie and suggesting yoga.鈥
How to Pick a New Sport
- You鈥檙e an endurance runner: Add circuit work with high-intensity bursts, Sims says, something like CrossFit.
- Road cyclist? You don鈥檛 have to do a 180 and become a basketball player. Mountain biking should do the trick. Off-road riding will build your technique and force you to develop a stronger all-around body.
- Cross-country skier? Try聽winter pole trekking or snowshoeing鈥攖hey鈥檒l build your aerobic fitness and strength. Plus, you鈥檒l feel faster when you put your skis back on.