Let’s be honest—when most runners hear “cross-training,” their brains immediately translate it to: working out in the gym or cycling on a turbo trainer or spin bike while silently resenting not running. But what if your cross-training for runners could actually be… fun?
Cross-training is crucial for boosting endurance, preventing injuries, and building muscle groups that running alone doesn’t hit. The good news? You don’t have to limit yourself to the elliptical. From roller skating to paddleboarding, here are some unexpected hobbies that secretly make you a better, faster, and stronger runner—while keeping your training fresh and exciting.
Side Note – we are actually making our way through this list already!
🛼 1. Roller Skating (or Inline Skating)
I was recently introduced to roller skating after completing a hard half marathon earlier in the day – the bits that didn’t hurt from racing soon started to make themselves known – 3 times round the room and the quads and glutes were firing.
Why runners should love it:
This retro-fabulous activity is fantastic for developing balance, agility, and leg strength—especially in your glutes, quads, and calves. The smooth gliding motion reduces impact on joints while still delivering a killer lower-body burn.
Bonus: It’s a great way to train stabiliser muscles that help prevent ankle injuries on trails. And… roller skates are much cheaper than Alphaflys.
Runner translation: Glutes of steel + improved stride control = better uphill running and fewer wobbles.
🏄♀️ 2. Paddle Boarding
Another one of my passions – when the weather allows (definitely a fair-weather paddleboarder).
Why runners should love it:
At first glance, this looks like a relaxing float session. In reality? It’s a full-body workout in disguise. Paddleboarding improves core strength, balance, and posture—three things every runner needs.
Bonus: It’s low-impact and can aid in active recovery. It’s also a great way to spend a sunny afternoon when not runing.
Runner translation: Strong core = better running form, especially in the late miles of a race when things get ugly.
Note – 5k on a paddle board takes a lot longer than on a bike!
🚴 3. Cycling
And we don’t mean on a turbo or a spin bike, but actually getting outdoors and finding some quiet country lanes to spin the legs on.
Why runners should love it:
Cycling is a classic cross-training option—and for good reason. It builds endurance, strengthens the quads, and boosts cardiovascular fitness without the joint stress of running.
Bonus: Swap your run day for a bike ride to give your joints a break while still logging aerobic training.
Runner translation: Better hill strength + improved VO2 max = faster race times.
🧘♂️ 4. Yoga
This is next on the list and I am booked into an outdoor class in a couple of weeks. It’s been a while since my last yoga class – let’s face it, there are only so many hours in the day and there are a lot of sports to try.
Why runners should love it: Flexibility, balance, and mental focus are essential in running. Yoga is the much-needed yin to its high-impact yang. It enhances mobility, reduces injury risk, and helps with breathing control (hello, race-day calm).
Bonus: Yin yoga or restorative flows are excellent for recovery days.
Runner translation: Fewer injuries. Looser hips. And maybe—just maybe—you’ll finally touch your toes.
🧗♀️ 5. Rock Climbing (Indoor or Outdoor)
If you have a local indoor climbing wall, why not book in for a beginner session? Rock climbing or bouldering are both great options to try.
Why runners should love it:
Climbing is a sneaky strength and mental workout. It builds upper body, core, grip strength, and enhances focus and problem-solving under pressure—all of which translate to better trail running and endurance races.
Runner translation: Mental grit + total-body strength = better performance when the going gets tough.
🚣♂️ 6. Rowing or Kayaking
Another one on our list – particularly great for exploring new places. It’s incredible what you get to see from a kayak out on the water. Our most recent session was kayaking around the old town of Dubrovnik on a recent trip to Croatia. We also love a bit of a workout on a rowing machine.
Why runners should love it:
Rowing combines cardio with strength, working your legs, core, back, and arms—all while being joint-friendly. Kayaking, on the other hand, is more upper-body focused but also engages your core and promotes good posture.
Bonus: Great for developing upper-body endurance, which helps maintain form during long runs.
Runner translation: Better arm drive, improved core stability, and stronger finishes.
🥋 7. Martial Arts (Kickboxing, Jiu-Jitsu, etc.)
This one is a bit of a controversial one. At one point, I was a blue, almost red belt in taekwondo however, I gave it up as I kept getting hurt sparring and that didn’t bode well when marathon training. That said, it is a great hobby.
Why runners should love it:
Agility, balance, reaction time, strength—martial arts check every box for functional athleticism. They’re also fantastic for cardio and mental discipline.
Bonus: It’s also great for stress relief, because let’s face it, running doesn’t always fix everything.
Runner translation: Faster feet, better coordination, and the occasional ability to kick ass (metaphorically… or not).
🏊♀️ 8. Swimming
Honestly, part of me thinks that if you can master breathing in the swimming pool, running fast seems easy! It took me a while when training for a tri to get used to the feeling – in the end I bottled it on race day and ended up doing breast stroke. Tri training is probably the fittest I have ever been, though.
Why runners should love it:
Swimming is perfect for recovery days or runners prone to injury. It builds full-body strength, cardiovascular endurance, and lung capacity—without impact.
Bonus: Cold water is also great for inflammation (plus, post-swim naps hit different).
Runner translation: Stronger lungs, better endurance, and happy joints.
🕺 9. Dancing
Dance classes or even fitness classes at your local leisure centre or alternative venue offer the chance to try a new pastime and meet new people.
Why runners should love it:
Dance improves coordination, rhythm, balance, and ankle strength—all helpful for agility and smooth running form. It’s also a great cardio session in disguise.
Bonus: You’ll look a lot cooler at weddings.
Runner translation: Smoother cadence + agile footwork = trail ninja.
🥾 10. Hiking (with a weighted pack)
If you are training for an ultra on terrain with tough elevation, hiking acts as great training.
Why runners should love it:
Hiking is running’s slower, more scenic cousin that still trains endurance and builds leg strength. Add a pack, and you’ve got an excellent strength-endurance combo that mimics the demands of trail racing.
Bonus: Mental recharge in nature = lower stress + better recovery.
Runner translation: Bulletproof quads, stronger calves, and the ability to crush climbs.
🎿 11. Cross-Country Skiing
I can’t profess to have tried any kind of ski-ing despite my partner’s best efforts to try and get me to but am reliably informed that this is a great cross-training exercise. Some of you reading this may have already tried it.
Why runners should love it:
Possibly the best full-body endurance workout on the planet. It develops incredible aerobic capacity, leg strength, and coordination—all while being joint-friendly.
Runner translation: If you can ski a few miles, you can definitely handle that marathon.
🧭 12. Orienteering
Excellent for those self nav races and something we have tried a few times.
Why runners should love it:
Think trail running meets treasure hunting. You’ll learn to navigate under pressure, make fast decisions, and stay mentally sharp—perfect for ultra runners and anyone who’s ever taken a wrong turn mid-race.
Runner translation: Less getting lost. More getting fast.
🏋️♀️ 13. HYROX
OK, so this is a combo of the gym and running, but so many of our friends are trying it we had to add it to the list. We have yet to give it a go, but something tells me it’s only a matter of time.
Why runners should love it:
HYROX is like the lovechild of CrossFit and a marathon—combining functional fitness with running intervals. It builds strength, power, endurance, and mental toughness. You’ll run, row, sled push, burpee broad jump, wall ball… then question your life choices—in the best way possible.
Bonus: It forces runners to train their neglected muscles (hi, upper body), while still keeping cardio front and centre.
Runner translation: Better all-around strength, improved race-day stamina, and the ability to carry your groceries in one trip.
Final Thoughts: Have Fun With It
Cross-training doesn’t have to mean drudgery. By turning your off-day workouts into hobbies you actually enjoy, you’ll stay more consistent, avoid burnout, and become a more well-rounded athlete.
So the next time you’re tempted to squeeze in yet another junk-mile jog, ask yourself: Would paddleboarding be more fun?
(Spoiler: Yes. Yes, it would.)
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