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Pros of Swimming

Drawbacks of Swimming

Pros of Cycling

Drawbacks of Cycling

Which Option Is Right for You?

If you’re looking to build aerobic capacity, recover faster, or stay fit through an injury, low-impact cross-training should be your best friend.

Running is a high-impact activity that requires your joints, muscles, tendons, and bones to handle loads that are multiple times your bodyweight, according to Jennie Hansen , USAT Level 1-certified triathlon coach. Cross-training, while still difficult, is typically nonimpact, and comes with a smaller orthopedic cost, she explains.

“While some peripheral muscle and tendon adaptations are run-specific, the central cardiovascular system—the heart, lungs, and blood vessels—responds and adapts to any stress that gets the heart rate up, improving VO2 max and overall fitness,” she says.

🏃🏻‍♀️ Learn how to balance running with complementary workouts that build strength and help prevent injuries in the Runner’s World Guide to Cross-Training…