Next Best Type of Cardio Next To Running?

becky21 · 01-21-2008, 03:26 PM

I currently have an ankle injury that is inhibiting me from running, what would you recommend as another type of cardio that wouldn't hurt it as much? I'd also preferably like to do the type that burns the most calories. Stairmaster, bike, elliptical?

erode · 01-21-2008, 03:57 PM

Is an elliptical, upright or recumbant bike too stressful on the ankle? I used to get shin splins during a run, for the next few days I'd supplement the run for some time on the upright bike. Ellipticals bother me.

I noticed that running, even jogging, made my HR reach way past cardio levels into a muscle-burn area and I quit running because I couldn't get my HR to come down without basically walking. Now, I walk on the treadmill or do upright bike.

Neither of which bother my shins.

uracowman · 01-21-2008, 04:04 PM

I would have to argue that swimming would be the best cardio especially with a injured ankle.

erode · 01-21-2008, 04:07 PM

Never considered that!

lilasiankid · 01-21-2008, 04:09 PM

Swimming is great for cardio workout when you are injured.

becky21 · 01-21-2008, 04:20 PM

Ok I will definately give swimming a shot, I am basically wanting to know which type of cardio is best for fat burning that won't hurt the ankle. Bike is fine but I find it doesn't burn very many calories.

Chris@UGA · 01-21-2008, 04:21 PM

Any and all of those are great for cardio. It isn't magic. Just burn more than you consume.

Scissor Kicking Shawna · 01-21-2008, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilasiankid

Swimming is great for cardio workout when you are injured.

Great post! Swimming is probably the best cardio to do when you have an injury and are looking to take it a little easy to help you heal. The good thing about swimming is that it is easy on the joints, with running it is hard on your knees and back because of the impact with the ground. Besides swimming I would also try the eliptical. It will burn more calories then a bike and there is no impact between the ground and your feet making it easier on your joints. I have bad ankles myself and to strengthen ankles do the alpabet with your feet. Have your big toe write the letters on the ground and you will actually be working out your ankle by the time you get to J!

Augustin · 01-21-2008, 07:16 PM

Any exercise that results in little to no impact is optimal for cardiovascular exercise. Running, due to the impact on the knees and shins, is NOT ideal. While running can burn a lot of calories, the stress on the knees and bones overall is far from my first choice.

Swimming, recumbent bike, and eliptical are probably the best choices by far.

FGCUCody · 01-21-2008, 07:31 PM

I personally love using the stairmaster. Has helped me lose a lot of fat. I was doing 45 minutes 4x/week. Also, Kayaking is a great way to get outside, get some cardio AND ab work at the same time. It's fun, and a great way to burn some calories.

KingOfChaos · 01-21-2008, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FGCUCody

I personally love using the stairmaster. Has helped me lose a lot of fat. I was doing 45 minutes 4x/week. Also, Kayaking is a great way to get outside, get some cardio AND ab work at the same time. It's fun, and a great way to burn some calories.

I don't really have to do cardio anymore...my job is labor intensive and I burn a **** load of calories working 13 hours a day....plus they make us work out 3 times a week before work anyway. So after work, I normally just hit the gym.

Hotmoltenlava · 01-21-2008, 08:14 PM

There is not a single best cardio for all. Anyone who tells you there is, is just telling you the cardio that they have chosen for themselves to fit their goals. Your goals are not like most others, so it will most likely be different. The type of cardio depends on your goals and how you like to reach a caloric deficit. You have to decide whether you want to restrict your caloric intake a lot and do a small amount of cardio or low intensity cardio.....or eat more and burn more thru high intensity or larger amounts of cardio. Some people don't mind eating less and do little or no cardio. Some people, such as myself, don't function well on low amount of calories, so I eat more and do more cardio to burn it off. It is all about preference.

Have a good one.