Exercises that don't invole my legs

[DEL 707]

Thanks for all the replies.

Just to answer a few questions, yep I'm overweight, I'm 5' 10" and I weigh 14st 3lbs. I know that's pretty bad but I used to be over 16st. I lost it because of a change in diet, cut out all the sugary treats and the soft drinks, I also started cycling, but can't do that at the moment (house fire and bike was damaged).
I did used to swim about a year ago, but I can't do it anymore, physically I'm fine, I just can't stand the other people in the pool.

I don't have any running shoes at the moment, just using an old pair of trainers, but I was thikning of going to a running shop and seeing what they do.

I have kind of been mulling over the idea of joining a local gym.

 

[MoNkeE]

Local gym all day long. Most of us always preach lifting weights in this forum (mainly cos it has many many advantages when compared to cardio, when it comes to building a physique, losing weight, and improving posture/weakness in the body), but if you're just wanting to start out with some cardio, every gym has a big selection of cardio machines that will meet your specific needs.

 

[D.P.]

Thanks for all the replies.

Just to answer a few questions, yep I'm overweight, I'm 5' 10" and I weigh 14st 3lbs. I know that's pretty bad but I used to be over 16st. I lost it because of a change in diet, cut out all the sugary treats and the soft drinks, I also started cycling, but can't do that at the moment (house fire and bike was damaged).
I did used to swim about a year ago, but I can't do it anymore, physically I'm fine, I just can't stand the other people in the pool.

I don't have any running shoes at the moment, just using an old pair of trainers, but I was thikning of going to a running shop and seeing what they do.

I have kind of been mulling over the idea of joining a local gym.

You definitely need yo get a good pair of professionally fitted running shoes. That is where the leg pain is coming from.

 

[D.P.]

That comment is complete nonsense again. If the OP wants a CV workout that puts low impact on his legs on his "rest" days then cycling is a great idea.

Running is irrelevant as he does that the rest of the week, he wanted an alternative.

This post is complete nonsense again. Cycling will only be a good CV workout if the OP is good at cycling.

The OP wanted something to reduce leg impact, using a treadmill,on an in one is exactly that.

 

[MoNkeE]

Anybody doing interval training on a bike is going to get a good CV workout and improve their fitness. To say they won't is crazy.

We get it, you love running.

 

[D.P.]

Anybody doing interval training on a bike is going to get a good CV workout and improve their fitness. To say they won't is crazy.

We get it, you love running.

No one has said you won't get a good CV work doing intervals on a bike The problem is unless you do a lot if cycling you simply won't be able to do effective intervals on a bike. I certainly can't do intervals on a bike yet, it will take a lot more saddle time before I have the strength and ability to do that. I hope to be able to one day. To put it in perpective, last week I tried to do a hard session with my trainer on zwift. I cycled so hard I felt faint, bUT I never got my heart rate above 162, which is far lower than 95% HRR desired for effective intervals. In contrast in my 800m repeats when running u had to slow down to keep my HRR below 100%. Much more training required with the bike before it's effective.
HOWEVER, the OP certainly should be running intervals yet.

Same with swimming, would love to do intervals and tempo work on the pool but I'm no where near good enough at swimming to get an effective work out.

And no, I don't lover running. It is just easy, effective, sccessible, cheao, doesn't require special equipment or travelling anywhere, no monthly membership, rapidly burns calories and especially targets body fat, requires no skills or training, is an entirely natural exercise. I like swimming and cycling as much as running, but they have some serious drawbacks.

 

[DEL 707]

I don't work Tuesdays, so tomorrow I plan to be proactive.

I'm going hit up Podplus and see about getting some running shoes and I'm also thinking of hitting up the local gyms and see what's on offer.
Any tips on how to pick a gym though? I'm clueless so the only thing I'll be going on is price.

I'm in Ashford, Kent if anyone has any suggestions.

 

[Abraxaz1]

Always used to do swimming between rugby sessions, seemed to let my muscle free up without hurting my knees

 

[DEL 707]

Forgot about this thread, but that's handy because I have another question.

What do people eat before exercising?
When I do run, I do it before work and breakfast (which is generally Weetabix). I went for a run Friday morning and boy did I struggle, legs were just dead weight 1/2 way into the run, had no fuel in the tank.

 

[D.P.]

Forgot about this thread, but that's handy because I have another question.

What do people eat before exercising?
When I do run, I do it before work and breakfast (which is generally Weetabix). I went for a run Friday morning and boy did I struggle, legs were just dead weight 1/2 way into the run, had no fuel in the tank.

Try to eat some light carbs about an hour before hand if possible but 30 minutes works. A banana or slicenof bread and jam. No protein, no fat. No high fibre. This is when you can indulge, I often go for chocolate cake. Cookies etc.


Just as important is the rest of your diet. As soon as I finish the run it is important to eat more carbs and then some.protein. you need your glycogen stores replenished as soon as possible and to allow rapid muscle repair. It can take 48 hours to replace lost glycogen so the sooner you can can art eating carbs the better.

Then in the evening before more carbs, big bowl of pasta or rice.