The truth on hybrid training. Here’s why people are loving hybrid training and why you should try it too.
Hybrid training is all the rage these days. Like with all things, there will always be naysayers and disbelievers. With to hybrid training, it’s no different.
People who are skeptical about hybrid training don’t have it out for hybrid athletes. Usually, it comes from a place of lack of understanding on hybrid training.
By literal definition, hybrid training refers to the combination of two or more different training styles in your routine. In the fitness industry, however, most people who use the term hybrid training are referring to running and lifting. (More articles on hybrid training here: about cross training, how to combine training styles, CrossFit vs cross training vs hybrid training vs mixing training styles.)
Get stronger muscles while strengthening your heart. Sounds great, right? Yes — but here are some common myths and misconceptions that wrongfully turn people away from hybrid training.
Running will make you lose your gains
Arguably the number one statement for those concerned about starting hybrid training.
No, running will not make you lose all your muscles. It can make you lose fat or muscle if you are not fuelling your body adequately or complementing your increase running mileage with strength training.
Yes, running solely focusing on running can change how your body and muscles look. But you’re hybrid training — so you’ll still be lifting to grow and maintain muscle mass.
Hybrid training requires 2 workouts a day/extra hours working out
Hybrid training does not need to take up half a day. Anyone can partake in hybrid training — you can create a schedule and system that works for you.
For example, some people may just to do two workouts a day to give themselves more rest days and a shorter workout program cycle — whether you do a run and lift back to back or do one in the morning and the other in the evening is up to you.
If you’re not keen on doing two workouts a day, you can always split it up. You can take the same amount of rest days and just have a longer program cycle (i.e. 8 workouts in 10 days rather than 7 days) — and that’s completely fine. It boils down to what you enjoy, what can fit into your schedule, and what you can maintain.
Hybrid training is too tiring
Anyone can start hybrid training. It doesn’t require a different skill set or base level of fitness. Your program will be there to help you make those improvements.
As aforementioned, you can be in charge of planning your rest days and workouts so you have enough time to recover. This goes hand in hand with sleep and nutrition. Setting a clear routine with workouts, rest, and fuel can help you mitigate issues with your energy levels.
You can’t acquire different skills concurrently
More breadth than depth: this means you’ll be covering more skills while going slightly shallower into the skill acquisition.
You might not be progressing with your running or lifting as fast as you would if you only had a sole focus, but you’d be surprised with how much progress you can make.
This is your reminder that you can have it all, but not all at once. It might take a longer time, but you’ll get there. Fast progress on one thing or slower process on many things. And why not be multi-talented?
Try a hybrid training program for free today
With Ganbaru Method’s 7-day free trial, you can access hybrid training programs such as:
Plus 50+ other programs on the app, along with nutrition, education, forum, and more. Reach out to us at support@ganbarumethod.com if you need help!