Much confusion has been caused over the years by large sports companies promoting 'cross training' as key to performance. Rubbish. Different types of exercise stress the body's energy systems, muscles and joints in a different pattern to that of cycling. For instance cross country skiers cannot obtain anywhere near as high VO2 max when treadmill running, the same also said for rowers. Although this type of cross training may be important in the off season in order to maintain base fitness and relieve boredom, too much of this training may actually result in detracted performance. Additionally, during the racing season, 1 or 2 sessions of cross training a week may aid recovery and help prevent injury. Nevertheless, a high endurance capacity in a specific sport requires both high oxygen delivery and high local blood flow in the precise muscles used. The only way to achieve this optimally is to train those muscles to coordinate their movement and use energy by doing your main sport.

In conclusion, the best way to train for a particular sport is to be SPECIFIC to that sport. However, there is a role for cross training in order to provide variety, prevent repetitive muscle injury and to also maintain base fitness in the off season. The key is to be cautious and cross train to supplement not substitute your specific cycle training.