Cross-training refers to an athlete training in sports other than the one that athlete competes in with a goal of improving overall performance. It takes advantage of the particular effectiveness of each training method, while at the same time attempting to neglect the shortcomings of that method by combining it with other methods that address its weaknesses.

With respect to employee-employer relationship, cross training refers to the training of one employee to do another's work.

In general sports

Cross-training in sport

Sport

A Sport is all forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, aim to use, maintain or improve physical fitness and provide entertainment to participants. Sport may be competitive, where a winner or winners can be identified by objective means, and may require a degree...

s and fitness

Physical fitness

Physical fitness comprises two related concepts: general fitness , and specific fitness...

 refers to the combining of exercises to work various parts of the body. Often one particular activity works certain muscle groups, but not others; cross-training aims to eliminate this.

In mixed martial arts

In mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts

Mixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be...

 and self-defense

Self-defense

Self-defense, self-defence or private defense is a countermeasure that involves defending oneself, one's property or the well-being of another from physical harm. The use of the right of self-defense as a legal justification for the use of force in times of danger is available in many...

 applications, cross-training refers to training in multiple martial arts

Martial arts

Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....

 or fighting systems to become proficient in all the phases of unarmed combat. This training is meant to overcome the shortcomings of one style by practicing another style which is strong in the appropriate area. A typical combination involves a striking

Strike (attack)

A strike is an attack with an inanimate object, such as a weapon, or with a part of the human body intended to cause an effect upon an opponent or to simply cause harm to an opponent. There are many different varieties of strikes...

-based art such as Muay Thai

Muay Thai

Muay Thai is a combat sport from Thailand that uses stand-up striking along with various clinching techniques. It is similar to other Indochinese kickboxing systems, namely pradal serey from Cambodia, tomoi from Malaysia, lethwei from Myanmar and muay Lao from Laos...

, combined with a grappling

Grappling

Grappling refers to techniques, maneuvers, and counters applied to an opponent in order to gain a physical advantage, such as improving relative position, escaping, submitting, or injury to the opponent. Grappling is a general term that covers techniques used in many disciplines, styles and martial...

-based art such as Wrestling

Wrestling

Wrestling is a form of grappling type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. A wrestling bout is a physical competition, between two competitors or sparring partners, who attempt to gain and maintain a superior position...

 and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art, combat sport, and a self defense system that focuses on grappling and especially ground fighting...

. Many hybrid martial arts

Hybrid martial arts

Hybrid martial arts refer to martial arts or fighting systems that incorporate techniques and theories from several particular martial arts...

 can be considered derivatives of such cross-training.

Modern mixed martial arts training generally involves cross-training in the different aspects and ranges of fighting.

Military context

Cross-training in several military arts or specialties is one of the main distinguishing qualities of elite

Elite

Elite refers to an exceptional or privileged group that wields considerable power within its sphere of influence...

 squads or battalions and special forces

Special forces

Special forces, or special operations forces are terms used to describe elite military tactical teams trained to perform high-risk dangerous missions that conventional units cannot perform...

. The UK Royal Marines Commandos train using cross training circuits.

World Gym Challenge

as EFR (Equal Fitness Racing) and is based on The Ultimate Gym Athlete Leader Board, which provides a time based result of the world gym challenge based on three levels of fitness Club (Beginner) Club Plus (Intermediate) Club Xtreme (Advanced) and provides search categories for age, country, sport, level, events entered and region. It also created its own brand of Gym Challenge GymXTC (TM) Gym X Training Championships-Challenge-Competition,which brands an event name under the World Gym Challenge.com website. World Gym Challenge.com was also the first website of its kind to create a Series of events (Gym Fitness Challenges) over one year, where gym members represent both themselves and their clubs under the GymXTC (TM)Gym X Training Championships title and are awarded points depending on where they finish in each event.