Balancing cross training

PersianXcursian started this discussion · 2/9/2014

I've been having a hard time finding time to balance all the things I do for exercise. I pole, do aerial silks and hoop, lift weights, and run. I'm a full time student who works part time. I go to aerial on Wednesday and Friday nights and the rest of the week is split between weights, pole, and running. I do not take pole classes and I am finding that I hardly ever pole nowadays even though I have a pole at home. How do you guys balance other exercises with pole?

5 replies

sassylina · 2/9/2014
For me my other exsercizes are my job. Next to our own business, I only teach and work during the day and only one evening. My pole time is in the evening after dinner. Even if I don't have much time I try to do at least some strength exsercizes. Like crunches, scissor climb, Gemini climb, knee tucks etc.
grayeyes · 2/9/2014
This may not be the most helpful response because I suspect you're looking for a schedule or training plan, but I just do what I can when I can, choosing the activity by what I feel like or what I haven't done for a while. I have many type A tendencies so I find that if I set a certain schedule for myself with specific goals like saying I'll work out six days a week and two days will be weights and two days cardio and two pole or whatever, then I feel like I've failed if it doesn't happen. I find that too often life gets in the way of those plans and since I'm not some kind of professional athlete or something, there's no reason for me to stress about it. I work out as often as I can, probably 4-5 days a week and it can be anything including weights, treadmill, fitness video, yoga, flexi training or pole. I figure any day I do some kind of workout is a good one, but I don't stress about the days where I don't do anything. It sounds like you're doing a lot already. My only thought for you would be to make sure you don't feel compelled to fit all of those things in on a specific basis to the point of not getting to try something new--like trying a different workout class or going rock climbing or something else active--it all counts in my book.
Lina Spiralyne · 2/9/2014
I do two times weights, one time ballet and two-three times pole a week. Meaning 1-2 rest days. A couple of years ago I did three times weights, but when I started taking the ballet classes I realized that I had to take one day of weights out, because otherwise there would be weeks of only one pole session. And that I consider was going to be too little. So I guess you just need to prioritize. If you want more pole probably some session of one of the others has to go. Or you can pole more some weeks and do more of the other things other weeks. It sounds like you've been down-prioritizing pole lately, do you know why?
Heather005Poles · 2/9/2014
I agree with grayeyes, as that is the tactic i personally employ for completing my workout routine. I try to do it when i can. I, too, Ann a full time college student, however i don't work currently. I pole maybe twice a week. I stretch for an hour maybe two to three times per week, I jog and run treadmill once or twice per week, I just try to mainly fit it in when possible. Friday's are my me days, I don't have class, so i pole for two hours, stretch for one hour, strength training for 40 minutes, have a little spa day afterwards. I don't plan on doing a competition or anything soon. I plan on graduating and maintaining my fitness for the time, maybe teaching on the side when i graduate.
Veena · 2/9/2014
I do a mix of what Lina and Grayeyes do. I like to go with how I feel that week and decide what I'll focus on, splitting up my days accordingly so strength work and pole work are spread out, to reduce overuse issues. Some weeks I do mostly hooping, and lifting weights at the gym, other times I only pole dance during the week. If you have been exercising for a while you're body can handle more training then if you are just starting out so keep that in mind too. I generally do some kind of workout 4-6 days a week depending on how busy life gets!! :)