What cardio can replace running?

[KCookys]

I hate running but I know cardio is good for me. Any suggestions for cardio that I can do at home?

[riseboi]

I hate running but I know cardio is good for me. Any suggestions for cardio that I can do at home?


How about a an elliptical, a recumbent bike, or an upright bike. Or better yet, a rower. Beats running any day.

[nets33]

I hate running too... but I still do it! :)

Other options for cardio would include any aerobic dvd/video that gets your heart pumping, dancing, swimming, biking, etc..... really any activity that gets your heart rate up.

[IdahoSpud]

I hate cardio too! Have you considered "iron cardio"? It used to be called circuit training. You get some light weights (dumbells, barbells, doesn't matter), and do olympic movements (4 cleans, followed by one clean and jerk) for a few minutes. Trust me, you'll have your cardio workout!

Best of all, in addition to working your core muscles, you'll be working *a lot* of upper-body muscles that you never work when you run, bike or use a treadmill.

Just remember what doesn't kill you makes you stronger :) My kid is trained on the defibrillator...

[watcher16]

I hate running but I know cardio is good for me. Any suggestions for cardio that I can do at home?

If one hates long time cardio you could do HIIT, it will take 5 to 15 min, 3 or 4 times a week. Can be done sprinting, on hometrainer, crosstrainer etc. etc.

- search for HIIT -

[caverjen]

Another idea people have mentioned in the past is "dance dance revolution" (sp?). I think it's a playstation game. They mentioned getting in their cardio and being so distracted by the game the time just flew by. Personally I actually enjoy running - gets me outside!

[kaypeeoh]

The thigh muscles, being the largest in the body, are best able to get the heart rate elevated but anything that you can do to elevate the heart will suffice. Doing squats with heavy weights will do it. Swimming works also because it is stressing most of the body. If not running, then maybe walking on a treadmill set at 15% grade. That way you could read Weight Watchers Magazine as you walk. :-)

[diemde]

Another idea people have mentioned in the past is "dance dance revolution" (sp?). I think it's a playstation game. They mentioned getting in their cardio and being so distracted by the game the time just flew by. Personally I actually enjoy running - gets me outside!
DDR is a lot of fun! And time does fly by when you are doing it.

Anything that gets your heart pumping and you consider fun will work. The more fun it is the easier it is to do.

[kbfunTH]

I wouldn't look to anything to replace running, but if I was going to supplement it, it would be with interval training.

[Kristine]

I hate running, too. My preferred cardio is good ol' high-impact dancing to music. Cheesey but effective. :thup: A close second is going for a walk with a heavy backpack. The backpack contents are typically a case of diet pop from the grocery store and/or other groceries. :)

[Squid]

I love my rowing machine! I'm absolutely addicted to it. Part of it is because the company that sells these (www.concept2.com) has all kinds of motivational challenges, virtual team competitions, live races, races over the internet, awards for rowing certain distances, etc. It is easy to get a very high intensity work out.

[stephb]

i used to hate cardio too, but then i got a few arobic dance dvds, i absolutly LOVE the 50 min winsor pilates fat burning dvd, its about 40 min of dance moves, really easy too, and the last 10 min is pilates, its relaxing at the end, you get to lay down and do diff stretches thats the only dance dvd that REALLY makes me sweat and feel great when im done, the time flies by too!! :)

[kbfunTH]

A close second is going for a walk with a heavy backpack. The backpack contents are typically a case of diet pop from the grocery store and/or other groceries. :)

:thup: :thup:

[plavala]

I love cardio but right now am unable to do alot of jumping due to eye surgery recently.

I do a Simulated running moves or quick low body march running. That kicks up the heart. Also cycling is a good cardio pump! H I I T is a great one too!
I also do taebo but that's on hold. Right now I am doing weightsand calistenics, crunches, pushups..the works!

[Fhyreworks]

Jumping Jacks!

Ready?

Begin!

:yay: :yay: :yay: :yay:

Faster!

:hyper: :hyper: :hyper: :hyper:

:stop:

:D

Debbie

[matthewmom]

Jump roping! May actually be better than running and it's fun!

[IdahoSpud]

Jump roping! May actually be better than running and it's fun!

No kidding! Talk about a brutal cardio workout... If you can do this for even 5 minutes, you are an animal!

Needless to say, I don't do it at all, hahaha.

[dpionk]

Another idea people have mentioned in the past is "dance dance revolution" (sp?). I think it's a playstation game. They mentioned getting in their cardio and being so distracted by the game the time just flew by. Personally I actually enjoy running - gets me outside!

I LOVE this game! It def gives you a cardio workout if you play it long enough and you play on a good level. It also has workout mode and records your calories! It you want something different and fun....TRY IT!

[camaromom]

I don't have a playstation so I can't do the dance revolution thing. I can't run or jump b/c I've had a hip replaced. I really like the eliptical trainer, however, some of the fitness mags say that the eliptical overestimates calorie expenditure. For a good cardio workout the eliptical is my choice.

[jun keater]

Here's the answer from Dr. Dean Ornish, a clinical professor of
medicine at UC San Francisco:

"All things being equal, you will burn more calories by running an
hour than walking an hour. It is true that walking a mile will burn
more calories than running a mile -- although it takes longer to do
so. When you run a mile, you're burning mostly sugar, or
carbohydrates, which is how your body gives you fast energy in bursts.
When you walk a mile, it gives your metabolism time to switch from
burning carbohydrates to burning fat."

[black57]

I walk at a steady pace but not real fast 3xs a day ( after ameal ). I am beginning to jump rope again and swim a littlee. IMHO, it is the activity that is important not the workout.

[Over40]

Jumping Jacks!

Ready?

Begin!

:yay: :yay: :yay: :yay:

Faster!

:hyper: :hyper: :hyper: :hyper:

:stop:

:D

Debbie

I think you are on something here. I have a heavy bag (not my mother in law, you all just stop now!) in my shop. I also have a ring timer. I will work the bag for 3 minutes, and then do 1 minute of jumping jacks. 5-6 rounds of this can get your blood pumping. Also, I haven't read all of the posts, but apparently (notice I qulaified this with apparently) 10 minutes of jump rope is equivalent to 30 minutes of jogging. Try www.lifelineusa.com for your jump rope.

10-15 minutes of deep knee bends and push ups are alos very effective at building stamina.

There are a lot of variables you can use in building your level of conditioning.

Jon

[runnr]

I guess it depends. For a similar calorie burn for the same length of time, you'd have to do pretty intense aerobics, spinning, or swimming (which is PHENOMENAL cardio)

Walking fast is also an option. I read an article that walking at a 12 min/mile actually burns more calories than running at that speed, because that is a really fast walk and its actually easier for the body to run at that point. So if you don't mind the odd feeling, speed walking is a great option. Some speed walkers can finish a marathon close to the same time it takes me to run it!

[Bigdaddy99]

I used to run but my knees are not what they used to be.

I know your looking for something to do at home, but my new favourite piece of cardio equipment is the stepmill. This thing is fantastic... gets my heart pumping just like I was running but without the heavy impact.

[bkloots]

I'm a home exercise veteran, so I have a bunch of videos I like. You can check out the whole world of video exercise here:

www.videofitness.com

Some easy favorites of mine:
Leslie Sansone--any of her walking videos.
Rebounding--I use a cheap rebounder from Wal-mart, and get a great workout without heavy pounding. I use some audio walking tapes with Motown music at about 145 bpm. Choose your own beats!

I love to ice skate--outdoors in winter, indoors in summer. But that requires an investment in lessons and equipment if you don't want to hurt yourself :D

[plavala]

Yes! Lessons do help when it comes to ice skating.
I took lessons when I was about 10 years old for about 5 years. I would have continued but my instructor discouraged it by telling me my maturing 'form' was not one of an ice skater :rolleyes: ...Broad back and shoulders and growing hips, he thought werent figure worthy... for competitions.

I still iceskate..it's like bike riding. Once you get back on, you remember! :p

I do more Taebo now to get my Aerobic muscles moving..and ALOT of sweating!!!

When we travel, I always try to find a hotel with a really big pool so I can do laps everyday for exercise..Fit it in when you can!!! :agree:

[bkloots]

I don't care for Tae Bo, but for those who like it, there's no better cardio workout that also builds muscle and promotes general fitness.

[epiphany]

I replaced running with the eliptical machine at the gym.. and I LOVE it!!

[muumuu]

A few people mentioned DDR, if you go that route, unless you buy a console system and endlessly do the low intensity versions of songs STAY AWAY from the things if you have problems ~ the sole of your feet, or knees. I'm recovering from both such injuries (which weren't caused by playing the game but nevertheless), every time I think the injuries are gone and try a game the things flare up a day later. You're stomping around with far more irregularity than running, leaving you open to all kinds of bad things if you're not at good health.