Lower body injury and cardio

MissConfidence

Anyone have any specific suggestions for someone with a lower body injury (ankles) who still wants to get a good cardio workout in? Walking is doable, but can't be very brisk at all and I can do a soft squat and punches, but would love to have a variety of choices if you can think of anything else... Thanks!

MissConfidence

Oh, and I have no access to a gym, otherwise I prob could do ok on the elliptical...

jmgj27

What about boxing? If you got a punchbag you could build up a pretty decent sweat without having to use your legs overly much. Another option would be a rowing machine - they're pretty cheap to come by for home use. Otherwise, you could use the wall to do vertical press-ups, followed by dumbell flys and raises. That'll all tighten up your upper body. If you can do squats you could look into getting some kettlebells and doing a tailored workout using those - that can also build up a decent sweat.

david081

Go swimming, your body is weightless in the water, and the ankles should be fine...

skylar1907

if you can do step I would recommend that. its low impact but aerobic and burns fat around your thighs and hips if done consistently. I step 30 minutes a day - for the last 4 weeks... and I am beginning to see results as inches fall away.

I have a right knee injury which limits me and I've found this is effective without hurting my knee.

allyson223

I second the swimming idea. Especially with Summer right around the corner find a pool that you can get into. You would be amazed at the workout you can get in the pool. I had a lower back injury and the pool was awesome for months!

Shadowcasting

if you can do step I would recommend that. its low impact but aerobic and burns fat around your thighs and hips if done consistently. I step 30 minutes a day - for the last 4 weeks... and I am beginning to see results as inches fall away.

I have a right knee injury which limits me and I've found this is effective without hurting my knee.

I have to STRONGLY disagree on this one. Step is tough on the ankles, especially if they're already tweaked.

Doing step on a knee that felt "off" landed me in crutches (I just finished a post on that actually!). Don't push your joints or they'll retaliate!

feliciapeters

there are alot of cardio exercise you can do in a chair. You just have to google it

Ree_Chatelain

What about bike riding or using a glider. The glider is what i started with when I couldn't move much.

Angela4Health

if you can do step I would recommend that. its low impact but aerobic and burns fat around your thighs and hips if done consistently. I step 30 minutes a day - for the last 4 weeks... and I am beginning to see results as inches fall away.

I have a right knee injury which limits me and I've found this is effective without hurting my knee.

I have to STRONGLY disagree on this one. Step is tough on the ankles, especially if they're already tweaked.

Doing step on a knee that felt "off" landed me in crutches (I just finished a post on that actually!). Don't push your joints or they'll retaliate!

Step is a great workout and low impact on the knees, but I agree, not so low impact on the ankles!

MissConfidence

Thanks for the feedback, all!

Yea, step doesn't sound like something I can easily do, I agree shadowcasting... Swimming is a great idea, but expensive!! I'll follow the advice to google chair exercises.

skylar1907

For clarification's sake - I'm not talking a big step. I'm talking a 1.5 inch board, which you place your entire foot onto. It's part of physical therapy for ankle & knee patients at the medical center my BFF works at. Its slow paced but the repetition builds lean muscle and supports the joint.

Respect those who disagree or don't want to try it, but it if someone does want to try it they deserve to know it won't ruin their joint.

baisleac

I'm currently working around a sprained ankle. My current favorite cardio is Wii boxing (If you don't have a Wii, you could just pretend you're punching a heavy bag) while sitting on my exercise ball. I've gotten to where I can do it with my legs straight out in front of me and not fall off. :bigsmile: It's a good cardio workout AND works your upper and core muscles at the same time.