Cross Training: Does Gardening Count?

Cross-training is any exercise that supplements your main activity (walking), like biking, tennis, aerobics, swimming - anything that gets your body moving in another way.

Whether you're just starting a walking program or you are an experienced walker, you can benefit from cross training. Here's why:

• It strengthens the muscles you don't use when walking, and lets those muscles rest, to reduce your chance of injury.
• It helps you maintain or improve your cardiovascular fitness.
• It keeps you from getting bored! Taking a couple of days off from walking to do another activity helps keep you moving and motivated.

And, yes, gardening - my favorite cross training activity - counts. Did you know that general gardening burns about 280 calories per hour? This weekend after a long walk/run on Saturday, I spent Sunday digging in the dirt and helping my husband build a retaining wall. I think I sweated more than during my normal workout.

Share your cross-training activities.