No Cardio Training

mlb929
mlb929 Posts: 1,974 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I'm only strength training for the next 4 weeks due to a stress fracture and can't run. So, I'm sticking with upper body strength training, balance, yoga, and ab work. Had anyone been able to maintain their current fitness level w/o cardio for a period of time beyond 3 weeks?

Replies

  • sarahisme18
    sarahisme18 Posts: 574 Member
    Could you do rowing or punching? :)
  • msaestein1
    msaestein1 Posts: 264 Member
    Yes and no. When I hurt my knee playing tennis a few years ago, I just lifted weights. However, I felt bloated and missed my cardio. I really didn't gain weight or wasn't out of shape after that, but your body is going to feel different. My nephew, who is military police, showed me how to do cardio without the legs. He had me box. You can get a high stool, take turns standing and sitting for awhil, and just throw punches. Do it for as long as you or as long you feel like, even 10-15 mins. You will get rid of the bloat. There won't be any stress on your legs. I know it sounds silly and like it won't work, but it will. Especially, if you do all of the other things you have listed below. you will be fine!
  • bridies01
    bridies01 Posts: 57 Member
    can you swim? That would probably be your best bet, and elliptical or bike if you are able to.
  • JasonDetwiler
    JasonDetwiler Posts: 364 Member
    What's cardio?

    I've done about three sessions of cardio in four months and I'm down 28 lbs on heavy strength training and Carb Backloading.
  • johnpangan
    johnpangan Posts: 47 Member
    Absolutely! You can maintain your fitness level without cardio. Achieving high intensity cardio can be done via volume training with shorter rest period. Use a heart rate monitor when you lift weights.
  • mmapags
    mmapags Posts: 8,934 Member
    You won't maintain your cardio fitness level obviously and it sounds like you won't be able to much leg work but upper body and overall strength, sure.
  • ixap
    ixap Posts: 675 Member
    You will lose cardio fitness if you can't do cardio, but don't be too down about it.
    It will come back to you quickly once you can resume your training. If you continue to eat right, you can maintain your weight too.
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    I'm only strength training for the next 4 weeks due to a stress fracture and can't run. So, I'm sticking with upper body strength training, balance, yoga, and ab work. Had anyone been able to maintain their current fitness level w/o cardio for a period of time beyond 3 weeks?

    I had almost a 3 week break in between C25k and starting 30DS due to moving. I did do a lot of heavy lifting (furniture,boxes) but no cardio at all. I seemed to pick up right where I left off.

    One thing you can try for cardio is doing punches and arm circles and things to get your heart rate up. Best of luck!
  • mlb929
    mlb929 Posts: 1,974 Member
    can you swim? That would probably be your best bet, and elliptical or bike if you are able to.

    Not, I don't have pool access. And my bike and elliptical are out as I have more going on than the stress fracture. It's a "open" stress fracture, which has a technical term I don't remember. And then I have severe tendonitis on top of it. The biking was contributing to the problem as the elliptical would . Its really gonna have to be 6 weeks of no leg work. I considered rowing, but didn't want to set my old bowflex back up for such a short period of time.

    I can get high intensity weight lifting that keeps my HR up there. I was off in July of last year for major surgery, dr told me 6 weeks off exercise, but I was so recovered in 4 weeks he let me return. But that had been 4 weeks of absolutely nothing. I was slower when I started back, but within 2 weeks it was like I hadn't missed a beat.

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