Runners who are devoted to crosstraining include one or two low-impact options in their training program every week. They use crosstraining as part of a well-balanced running program to maintain muscle groups, add variety and prevent injury.

Uncommitted crosstraining relationships develop due to overuse injuries. In this situation a runner ignores minor aches, forgoes their better judgment and follows their running desires until an injury forces them to stop. Once the damage has been done, these runners cross train to maintain their fitness until they can return back to full-time running and repeat the cycle.

A long-term crosstraining relationship requires compromises and commitment to improve your running. Play the field with these low-impact running alternatives until you find one that’s right for you.

recumbent bike

This is a more comfortable option compared to the upright bike and still works your hamstrings, quadriceps and glutes.

upright bike

Biking and spin classes are great ways to improve your cardio and strength.

elliptical

This machine is my personal favourite because you get a total cardiovascular workout, it's low-impact and you almost feel like you're running.

Other great options are pool running and rowing. What’s your favourite way to cross train?

Cross training gear:

• Ta Ta Tamer
• Stand Strong Tank
• Run: Speed Short

Summer is finally here - do you need some new bright & shiny tunes to match the sunny weather? Well look no further - here are 13 tracks infused with virtual Vitamin D for your ears.

HOME – EDWARD SHARPE AND THE MAGNETIC ZEROS
Start your morning with some yoga on your patio and play this in the background. Seriously happy music that you will hum happily for the rest of your day!

DANCING ON MY OWN – ROBYN
I know what your thinking - is this the same Robyn that is on all my dust-covered 90's compilation pop CD's? To answer your question - it sure is, but Robyn has zoomed into the 21st Century with some music dancy enough to give Kylie Minogue a run for her money. Plus she has cool hair - that counts for something, doesn't it?

MAN IN A SUITCASE - THE POLICE
Sting and company have never sounded more stoked than on this forgotten gem. You'll swear there is sun shining out of your stereo!

BIRDS - CRYSTAL CASTLES
Alice Glass and company are back with an album that will be ruling the airwaves all summer. Fantastic tunes if you like electro that is a little off-kilter and imaginative.

TENDERONI – KELE
No, this isn't a cover version of the hit Chromeo song; this is the brand spankin' new first single off of Kele's new album. Who's Kele, you may ask? No big deal - just the lead singer of a little group called Bloc Party. Oh, and he decided to make a dance record. Booiiiinnnggg!!!

AMERICAN DREAM - CROSBY, STILLS, NASH AND YOUNG
Are you good at whistling? Can you whistle and smile at the same time? This song will put you to the test! A good old fashioned summer tune for that slow-pitch or beach volleyball playlist.

SONG FOR THE BABY - KELIS
Kelis has had a busy year. First she broke up with Nas, then she raided Grace Jone's tickle trunk for an aggressive game of dress-up, and now she has teamed up with superstar French producer/DJ David Guetta for an album filled with whimsical vocals and thumping beats.

WHITE LINES (DON'T DO IT) - GRANDMASTER FLASH
It's easy to see why all the young guns sample the hip hop classic tracks - they're unbelievably catchy! This song is amazing for intervals - hilarious lyrics and a wicked ascending chorus will make you forget about the pain. Well, kind of.

EASY LOVE - MSTRKRFT
An electro classic from the legendary Canadian duo. If you haven't checked them out yet, prepare for the obsession.

RÖYKSOPP - WHAT ELSE IS THERE? (THIN WHITE DUKE REMIX)
Yeah yeah yeah - it's been in a billion car commercials. Who cares - this early 2000's dance floor staple is a serious a sweat inducer.

LET'S DANCE - DAVID BOWIE
"When you say run, I run with you." Dude, DAVID BOWIE is running with you!

INFINITE ARMS - BAND OF HORSES
This song is plain and simple one of the prettiest tracks in recent memory. Run to your favorite beach and press play when your toes hit the sand - you'll reward yourself with a supremely serene cool-down.

WALKING ON SUNSHINE - KATRINA AND THE WAVES
The classic summertime jam-jam for dancing around and singing in the mirror post-shower with a towel on your head and your toothpaste as your microphone.

Do you have any suggestions for the next playlist? Leave Alexis a comment below.

Below are some of the photos that capture what happened in January from our team and photos that were sent in from guests:

Mark and Matt at the Store Support Centre doing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

 
A lovely afternoon yoga class.

Whitney embracing the cold weather.

Upward dog in the snow!

Embracing the mountain snowboarding.

Snow angels afte a good run.

Just hanging around.

Tree pose in Toronto.

Janice at her gym working out. She actually documented the entire through her own flickr album.

Jackie about to go to circuit training after a hard day at work.

Jenna sweating it out on the treadmill.

The coolest ladies around.

Summer can't come soon enough. The best way to do yoga is on the beach.

The Run club is ready to brave the cold!

Ready to sweat in her new gear!

What was your favourite way to sweat this month?

A well-sized, roomy pocket: on its own it sounds pretty average, right? Well, add that pocket to the face of a luxurious gym towel and you have the Action Gym Towel!

It wasn’t until I was getting my things ready for a trip to the gym that I realized this pocket could come in handy before I even walked out my front door.

I have a few extra pieces that I reserve for the gym:

• Hair tie - I’m envying those ladies with short, chic styles right now!
• Slipless headband too, because it has been many long months since I started growing my bangs out
• Gym pass – need it to get through the doors

The pocket lets me keep these items in my towel once it comes out of the wash so that I won't forget to bring my essentials every time I head to the gym.

Now, we all know that ladies tend to carry a few extra pieces, but what about guys? What would they use this pocket for, I wonder?

Fortunately, my fiancée was able to help with that mystery.  He chose his iPod and armband carrier, as well as his work out gloves; and yes, it all fit – I closed the zipper myself!

So we’ve covered the gym prep, but how did this towel perform when I arrived at the gym? I tested it every way I could think of, like on the treadmill:

I was most interested to see how it would perform underneath me on the bench, holding my keys all at the same time. I am glad to report that it is large enough to keep the keys from pressing into your back and cover the bench too!

Thank you lululemon design team for taking the everyday gym towel a giant leap forward! Here’s the rest of why you will love the Action Gym Towel:

• This luxurious 20”x30” gym towel makes you want to work up a sweat at the gym
• The perfect blend of cotton and modal, which are both absorbent and super soft against your skin.
• Built-in zipper pocket keeps your keys, coins and a hair tie at your fingertips
• “Hang out friendly”: has a built-in loop so your towel never hits the floor in the locker room

You can find the Action Gym Towel in store or online at http://shop.lululemon.com/Action_Gym_Towel

Like an ice cold glass of lemonade, LUX is the answer on a hot summer day.

Can you feel it? It's starting to heat up! Even so, as I head out the door in the early morning, or the Weather Channel calls for some wind, I automatically throw on or pack one of my trusty Remix Lulu Hoodies. Out of the closet, just in time for summer, comes my Remix Hoodie Lux.

What is the difference between the regular Remix and the Remix Hoodie Lux? For one, the Lux hoodie feels like my favorite well loved t-shirt. The fabric is made of a natural yarn called Modal® which is derived from wood pulp. This material feels extremely soft against the skin. Added details: Lycra® for stretch and pre-shrunk for the perfect fit!

Whether I'm pairing it with speed shorts to the gym, lounging around in ElementaLuLu Pants or heading to the park in a pair of denim cutoffs, the Remix Hoodie Lux is the perfect addition for my summer wardrobe. LUX it up!

Why We Made This:
-A "to & from" warm layer with a longer body to provide more coverage!
-Lycra® in fabric to hold its shape
-Preshrunk so zipper will not buckle
-Chafe resistant - flat seamed
-Chin protecting zipper garage
-Longer sleeves for added warmth

Want to try one on for yourself? Please vist your nearest lululemon athletica store location or check it out online at: http://shop.lululemon.com/Remix_Hoodie_Lux/pd/np/550/p/1221.html

Check out some pics of Elim in the Remix Hoodie Lux (razzmatazz colour) below!

Above: Elim and her Yoga Journal!

Above: A quick escape from the office - and off to the park!

Never thought about being a rock climber? Try it! Do one thing a day that scares you!

Here are the basics:

• Find a local rock climbing gym. Every rock climbing gym I've ever been to has an introductory class that will teach you the basics and how to stay safe. REI also has beginner outdoors trips to local crags such as Joshua Tree in CA, Patagonia in South America, Rumney Rocks in New Hampshire, and Crescent Rocks in Virginia.
• Grab a friend or a group of friends to go to the gym with. It's best to have even numbers of people so that no one has to sit around and watch while everyone else is climbing or belaying.
• A comfy harness. This is what will connect you to the rope (i.e. your lifeline), so make sure it's a good one. I say comfy because if you are a newbie, chances are you are going to fall and be hanging by said rope quite a bit, so you want something that isn't going to dig into your legs. In the beginning, you can rent a harness from the gym, but don't count on it being comfortable.
• A chalk bag and chalk. Chalk is ESSENTIAL. It dries out the sweat on your hands and helps you grip the holds better. You need the chalk bag to (obviously) hold the chalk.
• Climbing shoes. Do not go out and buy the most expensive shoe you can find. As a beginner, you do not need the $155 high-performance shoe. You can rent a pair of shoes from the climbing gym, but you can usually find a good deal at an outdoors store like REI, EMS, or MEC (if you’re in Canada!). Climbing shoes should be slightly tight since they usually stretch out a bit, but not so tight you can’t walk in them. As you get more experienced at climbing, you learn that tighter = better, but for now, stick with what feels good on your feet.

Not a necessity, but a really good idea is to get a pair of crops for climbing. Women head to the climbing gym in shorts and usually regret that choice once the harness starts to ride up in an uncomfortable place. I like to work out in crops, but pants would be the next best thing.

I wore my Groove Crops for the first time last weekend when we went climbing at Red Rock State Park near Las Vegas, Nevada, and they were amazing. I always wanted to wear them since they’re so great for everything else, but I was afraid to because they’re black. Sure enough, I got chalk all over them, but I was pleasantly surprised to be able to completely dust them off before going to dinner.

Above: Your must haves for a great climb, including our Groove Crops!