Good Cardio for Beginners
LoriJ1782
Posts: 41 Member
Does anyone know of cardio exercises that are good for someone new to exercising again and with a lot of weight to lose. I've tried walking but it kills my knees and ankles and the elliptical machine is just too intense for me right now. In a month my pool will open daily so I can swim but I'd love to get started on something now. Any suggestions?
0
Replies
-
Find an indoor pool. Stationery bike maybe?0
-
How about a stationary bike?0
-
Try walking on the treadmill on an incline. The incline will take some pressure of your knees.0
-
My sister-in-law does a stationary bike because she has problems with her knees. Swimming will also be good once you can do it this summer.0
-
Do they still make those really small stationary bikes, like the kind that fit under a desk? I live in a small apartment lol. My husband just informed me there is a bike like machine in the complex's gym but it sounds more complicated than a regular bike so I'll have to check it out.0
-
You need to check with your doctor. All these ideas are great but if you have pain associated with exercise that limits you, you need to verify things with your doctor, in my opinion.0
-
I'm really looking forward to swimming because it's an exercise I love to do but I definitely need something for year round. A bike seems like the best option right now!0
-
You need to check with your doctor. All these ideas are great but if you have pain associated with exercise that limits you, you need to verify things with your doctor, in my opinion.
Agreed.0 -
I've checked with my doctor I have damage to one of my knees and my ankles that they are aware of. They recommend zero to low impact exercise but said walking should be fine even though it will hurt as long as I keep a slower pace. I would just prefer something that only hurts the muscles (in a good way) not my knees and ankles too0
-
Walking if you can get outside and exercise videos if it's crappy out. 30 Day Shred I highly recommend. It's tough, but over time you notice extreme progress.
If you can get to the gym the elliptical trainer is a great calorie burner.
Also, strength training. If you do 30 Day Shred, I think that's really all the strength training a newbie needs for now. Weights at the gym can be a intimidating. All you have to buy is 3 pound weights and start the DVD!0 -
I liked the wii fit program because there is lots of room for beginners. It is also a private in home activity. And fun, and addicting.
When I was immobilized I did couch exercises. I had weights under my couch and did every sort of arm curl, lift I could think of. Drop the weights and make it cardio, It is amazing what you can do if you are determined and not afraid to look silly.0 -
30DS did a number on my knees!!! I had to quit around Day 12/13.0
-
You may want to try swimming. Elliptical is usually recommended for beginners.0
-
If you run across a Gazelle, get it ...its a type of glider. It is so much easier on my knees and ankles. Also youtube Leslie Sansone 5 minute walking videos. Start out doing a little at a time. Her videos are great.
Don't try and keep up with everyone else....just remember to move. Do what you can and as much as you can.0 -
I have arthritis in my knees and struggled with cardio for ages but I used a reclining stationary bike (where your feet are in front of you rather than below you!) so there was no weight bearing on the knees and I could take the pace as slow as I needed to, simply to get them moving, but swimming is best as it is non weight bearing anyway!
Good Luck
Di0 -
I used to do 30 day Shred off of exercise TV and it's one effective workout, I just can't do all the cardio cause she does things like jumping jacks which are torture for me, way too high of impact! I do have a Wii and a Kinect, I should start the beginner stuff on there!0
-
People replying to this should probably read the original post before offering advice.
Just a thought0 -
If you have a Wii or Kinect, try one of their Sports games. They usually have a combination of bowling, boxing, table tennis, soccer.... etc. They will give you a good workout and in some cases, if you are not able to stand for long periods of time, you can do some of the games in a sitting position. It is also a way to include your family in your cardio exercising, and makes it more enjoyable and less of a chore for you.:happy:0
-
I have a gazelle but it's in storage cause my husband says it's too big for our apartment. I loved it and my best friend said she'd help me get it out and make room for it since he won't so I'm hoping she pulls through and I can get it, then I'd be set!0
-
I love Walk at Home DVDs. Take a look at the clip & see if it might work. The good thing about these videos... you can ALWAYS go at your own pace. Keep your side steps small, and your knee lifts low, until you feel better. I do these videos on a carpeted floor, lower impact than outdoor walking, no uneven terrain. Walking on puzzle exercise mats is also helpful (for hardwood floors).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnsfbneFQ_8&feature=related0 -
Execrcise DVD are good check out totalfitness and collage video. The old crunch dvd,s for 30 minutes is great. Denise Austin dvd's are good. I have knee issues and right now I am checking out a DVD called insight yoga earth by sarah powers.
Truly yoga though not extremely aerobic/more intensity deals with hunger issues,self love and getting a new perspective while trying to lose weight. Hope this helped.0 -
I've always been interested in yoga but I have trouble with some positions because I also have issues with my right wrist (I know, I'm falling apart lol) I was an admin asst for 5 years so the dr thinks it's carpal tunnel. I'd love to do yoga though cause I've heard it's good for the mind as well as the body, I would need to do it where I'm not putting a lot of weight on my right wrist. Is that possible?0
-
walking or zumba0
-
I've always been interested in yoga but I have trouble with some positions because I also have issues with my right wrist (I know, I'm falling apart lol) I was an admin asst for 5 years so the dr thinks it's carpal tunnel. I'd love to do yoga though cause I've heard it's good for the mind as well as the body, I would need to do it where I'm not putting a lot of weight on my right wrist. Is that possible?0
-
this definetly works for beginners! its also a great way to get your heart rate up gradually0
-
Try walking on the treadmill on an incline. The incline will take some pressure of your knees.
I can vouch for this. I have an Incline Trainer - I can walk on incline soooo much better than on the flat surface.0 -
Maybe it's cuz I danced for 15 years, but Just Dance on the Wii is one of my favorites.
Yoga is all about your personal best and your own strength and stretch--if you need to skip some positions or alter them, absolutely do it!
I've been watching season 11 of the Biggest Loser, and the trainers are all about boxing. Until you can get over your knee problem (I find my left knee calms down a lot AFTER getting on the treadmill and bike), maybe you could try something like shadow boxing--you can raise your heart-rate without putting any pressure on your knees. Don't punch a bag... just the air, anyone could do it.
Good luck!0 -
-
I had a lot of pain in both wrists several years ago. It was hard even to drive a car because it hurt so much to hold the steering wheel. I signed up for a yoga class but thought I would have to quit because of the pain from the pressure on my wrists during the downward-facing dog position. I stuck it out for two weeks and the pain in my wrists disappeared. I couldn't believe it. Maybe the act of putting weight on the wrists in the opposite direction of the way they're hunched over the keyboard was what did it. I don't know. All I know is that I've been mostly pain-free since then. Amazing.0
-
I too have knee problems
Arc Trainer. This is super easy on the knees.
Treadmill (start out at a 10 incline & about 2.1 - 2.3 speed0
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 393.3K Introduce Yourself
- 43.8K Getting Started
- 260.2K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.9K Food and Nutrition
- 47.4K Recipes
- 232.5K Fitness and Exercise
- 422 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.5K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153K Motivation and Support
- 8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.7K MyFitnessPal Information
- 23 News and Announcements
- 1.1K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.6K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions