Everyone has their own reasons for getting fit and staying active.  Whether you’re a lifelong athlete, just looking to drop a few pounds or working out for the health benefits, there are some basics that apply to everyone.

Running is an easily accessible form of cardio.  With very little equipment and minimal technique you can be on your way to a fitter future.  However, consistently training in only one discipline can lead to other fitness problems.  But not to worry, a little cross-training can go a long way.  Take an injury free approach to cross-training with these few exercises that help compensate for runners weaknesses.

So now you’ve got a multi-sport fitness routine, but how much is too much?  Each person is unique in their capacity for physical stress, which means a workout plan designed for someone else might not work for you.  Keeping an eye out for signs of overtraining will ensure that you’re maintaining the appropriate level of activity for your goals.  More is not always better.

If losing weight is your focus, exercise is a step in the right direction, but what you eat is important as well.  There are multiple ways you can ignite your metabolism and different foods to eat for different goals.  Fuel your body properly and not only will you find yourself moving towards your ideal weight, but you’ll also feel better and workout stronger.

Triathletes spend such a large portion of their time pounding the pavement, in the saddle, and submerged in the water that other types of training can be overlooked.  When simultaneously training for three different sports, why add another, right?  Recent trends have shown many different competitors, including triathletes, adding Yoga to their workout plan.  Often seen as just stretching, Yoga can also add strength and balance, as well as flexibility which can improve body function and dynamics.  By allowing muscles to be both strong and flexible, they can perform at peak levels even when pushed to their limits during a race.  Another valuable aspect of Yoga is mental strength and focus.  The practice of concentrating on and isolating muscle groups, while also relaxing the mind is a valuable skill that can be applied to races of any distance.

Yoga can be an added element to your workout routine to break up the monotony of training or just to bring calm and peace to your body.   Whether it’s used for focus and breath control, building strength and stamina or just relaxation, there are many different types and forms of Yoga, so the key is to find a good balance and the program that best suits you.

If you’re training for a race right now, planning to start soon, or just bored with your usual workouts then maybe it’s time for something a little different.  There is a wide variety of programs that can get you started, either on your own at home, or with group and even private classes.  Whatever your preference, consider giving Yoga a try, you might enjoy the change in your routine and could be come a better triathlete in the process.

Training for a triathlon is no easy feat.  Balancing three sports and most likely a job and family as well takes organization, discipline and quite a bit of planning.  How do you squeeze everything in and still improve your race times?  The answer is strategic training.  Done correctly, fewer quality miles and minutes can be more productive than high volume as well as help to ward off injury.

These 7 tips can help you create a flexible and productive training program, so you don’t have to neglect your work and family in the name of Ironman.

When you do carve out a block of time for your long run of the week, how far should you go?  It may be shorter than you think, read more on how to determine your long training run for any triathlon distance.

Although training in three sports is inherently cross-training, USA Triathlon recently suggested that adding yoga to your workout plan can increase your form, efficiency and power to make you an overall better triathlete.  Give it a try in the off-season and see if you recognize improvements that make yoga worthy of adding to your routine year-round.

The idea that cross training is useful in sport is not new.  Switching up your physical activity keeps your training interesting and can improve your performance in ways that just sport specific activities can’t.  But what is most helpful for your sport?

Kayaking is an activity available to many and while it may look easy, it can be quite physically demanding.  Whether you’ve been paddling for a while or if you’re new to the sport, here’s a series of flexibility workouts for the upper and lower body that will make you a better, and happier, kayaker.

Another sport that’s rapidly growing in popularity is Stand Up Paddling.  While it’s well known that a strong core can help you balance on your board, strong legs and feet are also a big part of the equation.  When you can’t get out on the water, try some of these squats to keep your lower half in shape.

For me, the Olympics is a funny dichotomy.  I spend many more hours on the couch than usual, watching some of the most physically fit athletes in the world showcase their hard earned skills.  Once I pry myself from the TV, I do find myself more motivated get out there train like I’m chasing the gold, complete with my own cheering section and personal medal ceremony at the end.

But all kidding aside, there are tips we can take from from the Olympians and apply to our own fitness routine.  Concepts like training with a team and setting goals are available to everyone, and can make a noticeable difference in your performance.  For even more training ideas for the recreational athlete, check out Six Things We Can Learn From Olympians.