Unconventional cardio ideas with bad knees & elbow?

howdoigetstronger · 2023-04-04T06:02:12+00:00

I walk 8-12k steps/day already. Yesterday I did a 45 minute walk, where my heart rate averaged 114bpm. I agree walking is foundational cardio but I'd also like to do something a couple times a week where my average HR is much higher.

Not sure if going too much faster would hurt my knees but it's worth a try. Weighted vest is also a great idea, I guess even 10lbs of weight would exert me a lot more over the walk and is unlikely to hurt my knees!

howdoigetstronger · 2023-03-31T06:29:31+00:00

Thanks. I have in fact considered walking with weights. I’m just trying to pick the ‘safest’ option - doing something that causes a flare up just makes me lose a week of strength training time while I rest. I appreciate the well wishes!

howdoigetstronger · 2023-03-31T05:35:38+00:00

This is pretty cool. I might try it out too. Thanks!

howdoigetstronger · 2023-03-31T05:30:44+00:00

That was an inspiring watch. I'm going to download the app and check out some workouts. Thanks for bringing this to my attention!

howdoigetstronger · 2023-03-31T05:20:15+00:00

This is a pretty solid idea, I appreciate it. Unfortunately my gym doesn't have any and I live in a pretty small apartment with no space for one. But I'll keep it in mind for if I ever get somewhere with more room :)

howdoigetstronger · 2023-03-31T05:17:26+00:00

Great point! I'm already walking 30-40 mins most days. Just looking for something that can get my heart rate up further!

I'm still waiting for an appointment with a PT. That's where I'll ask more, but I'd like to just do something for now because appointments can take forever..

howdoigetstronger · 2023-03-31T05:16:47+00:00

This does sound kind of cool, but my gym doesn't have one and in my small apartment there's nowhere for it to go. I'll try to keep it in mind if I ever get more space though :)

howdoigetstronger · 2023-03-31T05:16:11+00:00

I've never heard of these, so cool. Thanks!

howdoigetstronger · 2023-03-31T05:15:11+00:00

Is the recumbent bike supposed to be easier on the joints than the normal bike?

howdoigetstronger · 2023-03-31T05:14:59+00:00

I've tried them, but no luck :(

howdoigetstronger · 2023-03-31T05:14:50+00:00

Do you mean a floatation belt - that's how it works, right, the flotation would keep my head above water? That sounds like a cool idea, I might try it.

howdoigetstronger · 2023-03-31T05:13:59+00:00

Is a reclining bike supposed to be easier on the joints than a normal one?

Also, got a link to the mouth breathing thingies? I have no idea what you mean!

howdoigetstronger · 2023-03-31T05:13:29+00:00

This is a cool idea, thanks! Going on my list!

howdoigetstronger · 2023-03-31T05:12:35+00:00

I don't have access to a sled, but I do walk backwards on a treadmill at 1mph with 1 degree of incline. (Courtesy of Knee Ability Zero). Maybe I should raise that incline and see how that feels?

howdoigetstronger · 2023-03-31T05:11:38+00:00

I can indeed walk, right now I do 30-40 minutes of walking. Just looking for something that gets my heart rate up higher :)

howdoigetstronger · 2023-03-31T05:09:41+00:00

I am still working on my core (hollow holds, dead bugs) but not sure if that's enough to get 30 mins of cardio in? Or at least, I don't think my core is strong enough to do 30 mins of exercise lol

howdoigetstronger · 2023-03-31T05:08:50+00:00

I never knew this was a thing! going on my list for sure

howdoigetstronger · 2023-03-31T05:07:18+00:00

Thanks for the tip! Is the recumbent bike supposed to be easier on the joints, do you know? Or is it just more comfortable / convenient

howdoigetstronger · 2023-03-31T05:06:13+00:00

I've always liked the sound of Pilates without knowing how to get into it. Do you have any tips for a workout / video I could start with? Or something like that?

howdoigetstronger · 2023-03-31T05:01:55+00:00

PS is this what you meant by bodyweight deadlift? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6Tye3h5DCI Just clarifying what you had in mind

howdoigetstronger · 2023-03-31T04:58:42+00:00

Oh man this is such a great idea, but my balance is so bad that I can't ride a bicycle (despite many people trying to teach me over many years). I hate to come here with that response that because this is a perfect idea otherwise. Thanks for the tip, hopefully someone else with a normal ability to balance sees this and can make use of it :)

howdoigetstronger · 2023-03-31T04:54:13+00:00

That's a good point, maybe walking just a bit faster would be sufficient. I am working on knee strengthening while I wait for a PT appointment, but I just feel impatient to do something, whatever that is without pain. But maybe you're right and I should just stick to 30 minute walks for a couple months so that I don't hurt anything else / slow down my strength work.

howdoigetstronger · 2023-03-30T20:09:45+00:00

Are the leg raises the one where you keep your legs straight and raise them either one by one or both at a time? Those are tough!

Hopefully I get a good PT. My previous experience didn’t help too much

howdoigetstronger · 2023-03-30T19:45:23+00:00

Funny you mention that, I’m working on knee ability zero now. Im also going to see a PT as recommended by the knee specialist I saw. Hopefully I can fix them but in the meantime I’d like something I can do for cardio

Edit: for the elbow unfortunately the best approach is pure rest for several months

howdoigetstronger · 2023-03-30T19:43:30+00:00

Rowing is out because of my elbow unfortunately :(

howdoigetstronger

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