Good Cardio for Beginners

LoriJ1782
LoriJ1782 Posts: 41 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
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?
«1

Replies

  • gsager
    gsager Posts: 977 Member
    Find an indoor pool. Stationery bike maybe?
  • SOOZIE429
    SOOZIE429 Posts: 638 Member
    How about a stationary bike?
  • hprozy
    hprozy Posts: 20
    Try walking on the treadmill on an incline. The incline will take some pressure of your knees.
  • bjfrezell
    bjfrezell Posts: 241
    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.
  • LoriJ1782
    LoriJ1782 Posts: 41 Member
    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.
  • runfatmanrun
    runfatmanrun Posts: 1,090 Member
    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.
  • LoriJ1782
    LoriJ1782 Posts: 41 Member
    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!
  • pastryari
    pastryari Posts: 8,646 Member
    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.
  • LoriJ1782
    LoriJ1782 Posts: 41 Member
    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 too :)
  • kristen6022
    kristen6022 Posts: 1,923 Member
    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!
  • islandnutshel
    islandnutshel Posts: 1,143 Member
    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.
  • BabeedollB
    BabeedollB Posts: 161 Member
    30DS did a number on my knees!!! I had to quit around Day 12/13.
  • Joneses17
    Joneses17 Posts: 135 Member
    You may want to try swimming. Elliptical is usually recommended for beginners.
  • myrahonbarrier
    myrahonbarrier Posts: 191 Member
    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. :)
  • Diana35bha
    Diana35bha Posts: 292 Member
    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

    Di
  • LoriJ1782
    LoriJ1782 Posts: 41 Member
    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!
  • Kennkaru
    Kennkaru Posts: 210 Member
    People replying to this should probably read the original post before offering advice.
    Just a thought :)
  • Renee_Leslie
    Renee_Leslie Posts: 17
    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:
  • LoriJ1782
    LoriJ1782 Posts: 41 Member
    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!
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    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=related
  • Fit_2013
    Fit_2013 Posts: 326 Member
    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.
  • LoriJ1782
    LoriJ1782 Posts: 41 Member
    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?
  • Jay0hwhy
    Jay0hwhy Posts: 63
    walking or zumba
  • marieautumn
    marieautumn Posts: 928 Member
    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?
    i'm sure you can modify the routine to suit your physical restraints.
  • siobhancmorrow
    siobhancmorrow Posts: 6
    this definetly works for beginners! its also a great way to get your heart rate up gradually
  • itsjustdawn
    itsjustdawn Posts: 1,073 Member
    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.
  • ByrdMessy
    ByrdMessy Posts: 94
    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!
  • MizzDoc
    MizzDoc Posts: 493 Member
    Try taking a peek at the following:

    http://www.youtube.com/user/LivestrongWoman/featured?feature=context-chf
    http://www.youtube.com/user/LivestrongWoman
    http://www.youtube.com/user/BeFit
    http://www.youtube.com/befitin90
  • Aliza18
    Aliza18 Posts: 1 Member
    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.
  • HURLEYX3RO
    HURLEYX3RO Posts: 269
    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 speed

Categories