dennisflorida Posted April 28, 2010 Posted April 28, 2010 I want to get some good cardio in that isn't hard on the knees. All i want to do is burn some light flab in my midsection and get into better shape, get my body moving again, burn some stress too! What should I do? just weights and crunches and walking more? I'm a terrible excerciser but i eat pretty healthy.
RobM Posted April 28, 2010 Posted April 28, 2010 Yes, running is hard on the knees, if you don't have a bike then walk or swim.
USMCHokie Posted April 28, 2010 Posted April 28, 2010 Weightlifting. Heavy weightlifting. It is the key to attaining your goals...and it'll do it faster than traditional cardio training like running or biking... However, if you're looking for a cardio alternative to running or biking, then I'd suggest swimming as it's much easier on your knees and joints. ::taps foot while waiting for Tman to respond...::
Arabella Posted April 28, 2010 Posted April 28, 2010 Swimming is my favorite kind of cardio. Low impact on your joints, fun, refreshing when it's hot, and it can improve your overall muscular tone... doesn't get any better than that. Give it a try Arabella
tman666 Posted April 28, 2010 Posted April 28, 2010 I want to get some good cardio in that isn't hard on the knees. All i want to do is burn some light flab in my midsection and get into better shape, get my body moving again, burn some stress too! What should I do? just weights and crunches and walking more? I'm a terrible excerciser but i eat pretty healthy. Do you currently have bad knees? If you really do have bad knees, then swimming is an good option if you combine it with lifting weights. Like USMCHokie mentioned, lifting heavy weights with low volume might be easier on your joints and allow you to build muscle too. If you lift explosively on the concentric phase of each lift and keep your rest periods short, you will be burning a lot of calories. Also, try to stick primarily with compound movements such as pull ups, presses, dips, squats, and deadlifts. Don't worry, you won't look like Ahhnold. If you're worried about joint health (and you should be), make sure that you use perfect form on all of your lifts. I have marginally crappy knees myself, and the best thing for them is mobility work. Make sure that you're stretching (both statically and dynamically), warming up your muscles and joints well before exercise, drinking plenty of water, taking fish oil, and possibly even wearing knee sleeves. Glucosamine/chondroitin can also be taken. One of my most recent (and glorious) discoveries is the foam roller. Get one. You can buy them for only about $15. You'll feel like a new man/woman/whatever you want to be dude, I'm not gonna judge.
Chocolat Posted April 28, 2010 Posted April 28, 2010 Weightlifting. Heavy weightlifting. It is the key to attaining your goals...and it'll do it faster than traditional cardio training like running or biking... However, if you're looking for a cardio alternative to running or biking, then I'd suggest swimming as it's much easier on your knees and joints. Yep. And if blasting fat is your goal, it's not going to happen until you get your nutrition right. Abs are made in the kitchen.
tman666 Posted April 28, 2010 Posted April 28, 2010 I also forgot to mention jumping rope. Jumping rope can be awesome for fat loss. It's all in how you do it. Go as fast as you can, and don't flick your wrists: instead, keep your wrists relatively stiff and rotate from the elbows. One of my favorite jump rope drills is doing 15 seconds of regular jump roping, then 15 seconds of alternating high knees. This will teach you some good coordination, built your speed, and help you lose some grease.
Enema Posted April 28, 2010 Posted April 28, 2010 Running is good for your knees and joints in your case. (light flab) It's only bad if you're significantly overweight. Google, "Running is good for knees" and see for yourself. Most people that perpetuate the knee myth are non-runners, non-professionals or people looking for excuses not to run.
tman666 Posted April 28, 2010 Posted April 28, 2010 Running is good for your knees and joints in your case. (light flab) It's only bad if you're significantly overweight. Google, "Running is good for knees" and see for yourself. Most people that perpetuate the knee myth are non-runners, non-professionals or people looking for excuses not to run. I agree that running is not evil or anything. However, if running is causing him pain, then he'll need to go another route.
Phateless Posted April 28, 2010 Posted April 28, 2010 I want to get some good cardio in that isn't hard on the knees. All i want to do is burn some light flab in my midsection and get into better shape, get my body moving again, burn some stress too! What should I do? just weights and crunches and walking more? I'm a terrible excerciser but i eat pretty healthy. You can buy a bike at Target for $150. There's also exercises like climbing, swimming, dancing, etc.
skydiveaddict Posted April 29, 2010 Posted April 29, 2010 I agree w/ hokie on this one lifting heavy is always good.. but alternating 3min. on speed bag, and 3 min jumprope for 40 min total will burn the fat off of you really really fast.
USMCHokie Posted April 29, 2010 Posted April 29, 2010 I agree w/ hokie on this one lifting heavy is always good.. but alternating 3min. on speed bag, and 3 min jumprope for 40 min total will burn the fat off of you really really fast. Likewise, I will agree with skydive on the jumprope suggestion...if you combine it in a circuit workout with calisthenics and weightlifting, it is an AMAZING workout...PM me if you're interested in something like that... And 3 minutes jump roping...? I'd probably be falling over after one minute...it's a lot harder than you'd think...especially when your forearms are already smoked from other exercises...it's not like back when we were in grade school with the "Jump Rope for Heart" program where you'd see kids jumping for like an hour...
skydiveaddict Posted April 29, 2010 Posted April 29, 2010 (edited) Likewise, I will agree with skydive on the jumprope suggestion...if you combine it in a circuit workout with calisthenics and weightlifting, it is an AMAZING workout...PM me if you're interested in something like that... And 3 minutes jump roping...? I'd probably be falling over after one minute...it's a lot harder than you'd think...especially when your forearms are already smoked from other exercises...it's not like back when we were in grade school with the "Jump Rope for Heart" program where you'd see kids jumping for like an hour... You're right 3 min is a lot. But that's just the routine we have @ guard & you're right . nobody can do it but hey, orders are orders Edited April 29, 2010 by skydiveaddict
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