Training a variety of different sports can improve your overall health and individual performance. Incorporating a wider variety of movement patterns in your training is proven to be beneficial, but how exactly should you do this? The 2PEAK multisport function can help optimize your training in multiple sports.
Triathletes are the endurance worlds champion of multiple sports. Their training is always incorporating the proper mix of swimming, cycling, and running to ensure that they reach their full potential based on their individual traits in each discipline. However, cyclists, runners and other endurance athletes specializing in one sport can also benefit from taking a page out of the triathletes book and occasionally training with other sports.
Advantages of multisport training
Specialization is always good and any athlete with a primary focus on one sport will do most of their training in this sport. However, there are many benefits to adding some variety. Some main benefits are:
- It decreases your risk of burnout. Multisport athletes have a much higher chance of staying active long term.
- A variety of movements and activities decreases injury risk. Most overuse injuries are associated with constant repetitive movements.
- Switching to a different sport gives athletes time to heal and develop different muscle groups and movement patterns.
- Different types of skills can be applied from one sport to the next. This enhances general athletic skills such as hand-eye coordination, balance, endurance, explosion and agility.
It is well documented that endurance athletes will benefit from strength training. But adding not only strength training but a wide variety of activities to your routine will help you overall as an athlete.
Challenges with multisport training
Of course, the best athletes in any discipline typically specialize in this sport. They will spend much of their training time on this sport. A cyclist will quickly reach a limit of how much they can improve if they are not doing enough cycling. The same can be said for runners, swimmers, XC skiers or any type of athlete.
Another challenge is knowing the training and recovery impact of different types of activities. Two hours of cycling and two hours of running in zone 2 are not the same. The running will take longer to recover from, and each activity has a different impact on your body. This is true for all different types of training. Strength training, swimming, yoga and football all need to be considered differently when putting together your ideal training plan.
How 2PEAK multisport helps
The 2PEAK multisport function solves these challenges and allows you to take advantage of all the benefits of multisport training. When you use 2PEAK you will enter in your goals and the program will create a plan with enough specific work to help you achieve them. We also know the science behind how different activities impact your recovery in different ways.
When you have a 2PEAK training plan without the multisport functionality, the plan recognizes when you do your main activity or strength training if it is entered properly, but it cannot recognize how your plan should be changed if you go outside your main discipline. Meaning if you are a cyclist and go out for a run or vise versa. However, with the multisport functionality, you can enter any type of sport in to your 2PEAK training plan and the plan’s dynamic technology will optimize your training accordingly.
Sports included in 2PEAK Multisport
2PEAK´s multisport feature has essentially every type of sport you could want for your training. With the multisport feature you can include in your plan all of the following activities:
Running
Running is offered as an independent sport discipline and as part of the triathlon package, but it may also be added as a supplement to other sport packages.
Long Run
If you choose a Long-Run (1:15 and longer) 2PEAK will calculate the ideal length for you, based on your previous longest duration runs and slowly build on it. But these runs will be reduced in case you cannot sustain additional load or are forced to reduce it. The build up is therefore a function of what you have proven to be able to “digest”. Long-Runs never include any intensity above base endurance.
Trail Running
Trail Running is offered as a supplement to other disciplines. It is similar to running, but the increased elevation gain and terrain make a slight difference.
Orienteering
Orienteering is offered as a supplement to other disciplines.
Alpine Speed Hiking
Alpine Speed Hiking (fast vertical walking/running in mountainous terrain) is offered as a supplement to other disciplines. This will allow to report your vertical speed running mileage specifically.
Cycling
Cycling is offered as an independent sport discipline and as part of the triathlon package, but it may also be added as a supplement to other sport packages.
Long Ride
If you choose a Long-Ride (2hrs and longer) 2PEAK will calculate the ideal length for you, based on your previous longest duration rides and slowly build on it. But these rides will be reduced in case you cannot sustain additional load or are forced to reduce it. The build up is therefore a function of what you have proven to be able to “digest”. Long-Rides never include any intensity above base endurance.
Mountain Biking
Mountain Biking is similar to cycling, but the different terrain and equipment impacts training. You can see more on this in our mountain biking vs cycling article.
Spinning
Indoor cycling may be added as a supplement to the Cycling package. The intensity will be automatically adapted to the shorter volume.
XC Skiing
XC Skiing ( both classic and skating technique) is offered as an independent sport discipline. In order to prepare for XC ski races, you need to switch to a proper XC ski plan. but it can also be utilized with multisport
Roller Skiing
With Roller Ski we mean all alternative “dry-land” disciplines which allow you to train without snow. In order to prepare for XC ski races, you need to switch to a proper XC ski plan. Please contact support if you need assistance.
Swimming
Swimming is a part of the Triathlon package, it may be added as a multi sport option to other packages.
2PEAK chooses
This option is only available for triathletes. It is used by 2PEAK to determine your “deficient discipline” meaning the sport from cycling, swimming or running you most need to work on at this time in your training.
Inline Skating
Inline Skating is offered as a supplement to other disciplines. It will allow to report your inline mileage specifically.
Yoga/Pilates
Yoga or Pilates is offered as a supplement to other disciplines.
Ski Touring
Back Country Ski Touring is offered as a supplement to other disciplines. It will allow to report your ski touring efforts specifically.
SUP
Stand Up Paddling is offered as a supplement to other disciplines.
Snow Shoeing
Snow Shoeing is offered as a supplement to other disciplines.
Ice Skating
Ice Skating is offered as a supplement to other disciplines.
Nordic Walking
Nordic Walking is offered as a supplement to other disciplines.
Other Sport Disciplines
This title is used for ball sports and other disciplines, which are not specifically recognized.
Strength Training
Strength training is incorporated in all training packages.
Distinguishing between each of these activities in your training plan will allow you to benefit from the variety of multisport training while getting enough rest and specific training to reach your goals. The multisport function is included in the unlimited plan and can also be purchased as an add-on in the fit or race plan.
From September 15th to October 31 you can also benefit from all of the multisport features as well as many more at a reduced price with our Fall/Winter campaign.