If you’re looking for efficient exercise programs you should give hybrid workouts a try. Many fitness trends come and go because they’re really just gimmicks wrapped in fancy packaging, but this kind of training has a lot to offer. Many of us have an only hour or less a day to devout to our workouts and these routines deliver full body routines that address the three aspects of fitness: strength, flexibility and cardiovascular. It is common to favor ones of the three over the other two and it’s OK to play to your strengths. However, you also want to avoid muscle group imbalances, a lack of flexibility or inattention to your overall health.
Hybrid Workouts – 2 Halves for 1 Whole Routine
Many group classes and individuals’ workout routines tend to focus on one aspect of fitness with perhaps some of the other two for good measure. With hybrid workouts you will focus on completely different aspects of fitness during your workout. You will actually be performing two separate workouts during your session be it an hour, 45 minutes or even 30 minutes. A lot of classes offered in gyms are an hour, but check to see what your local gyms offer. Some of the common pairings include pilates and treadmill, boxing and yoga, running and weight training and even Barre workouts (a form of ballet training) and spin (source). There are many possibilities that will train you in different ways, packing more efficient exercise into each session.
More Variety Equals Fewer Injuries
Variety may be the spice of life, but it’s also a good way to avoid overuse injuries that come from performing the same workouts too often. Doctor Kevin Stone, an orthopedic surgeon, believes “there’s less of a chance of overuse injury because you’re not using the same muscles over and over, there’s a decreased chance of mental burnout, and there’s an advantage to stressing every muscle group in various ways so that you can stimulate each other (source).” Like any workout routine you don’t want to overdue hybrid workouts. Personally, I’m a big believer in shorter, more intense workouts, but hour workouts work fine for many as long as you don’t perform too many without proper recovery. These workouts can be intense so work into them slowly then get to it!
Michael Phelps
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