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Cardio without involving legs?!

• sapolo84 Posts: 99
  QUOTE Mar 15, 2012 12:13 AM GMT

  Does anyone have any ideas on getting a reasonable cardio workout without doing any leg exercises? I have munted my knee and sprained the ligaments in it, so will be resting in for a while so no running, swimming or cycling. Anyone have any ideas or should I just use this time to try and bulk my upper body and worry about cardio when my knee is fit again?
  Cheers!

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• commoncoll Posts: 1222
  QUOTE Mar 15, 2012 12:28 AM GMT

  Perhaps it would be best if you just rested your knee. Otherwise, you can do aerobic exercises in water which has less impact on joints.

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  QUOTE Mar 15, 2012 12:29 AM GMT

  some Gyms have a cycling maching that involves just your arms, the gym i go to has a set of them and is meant just for that, great cardio without using your legs, it takes some time to adjust though =/

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• FFFF Posts: 293
  QUOTE Mar 15, 2012 12:31 AM GMT

  Boating.

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  QUOTE Mar 15, 2012 12:32 AM GMT

  Rowing! (ergometer)

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  QUOTE Mar 15, 2012 12:33 AM GMT

  http://www.ehow.com/video_2351672_use-bike-machine-cardio-exercise.html
  
  It depends on what equipment your gym has.

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  QUOTE Mar 15, 2012 12:34 AM GMT

  DudeInNOVA saidhttp://www.ehow.com/video_2351672_use-bike-machine-cardio-exercise.html
  
  It depends on what equipment your gym has.

  
  yeah that one!

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• sapolo84 Posts: 99
  QUOTE Mar 15, 2012 12:39 AM GMT

  Yeah thanks guys, gym is pretty basic so I might just have to let the knee have its rest and crank out the upper body weights while Im resting it!

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• barriehomeboy Posts: 2464
  QUOTE Mar 15, 2012 12:47 AM GMT

  I read somewhere that if you came to Canada and fucked your brains out every day that it burns as much calories as biking for 10 miles. Kiidding of course. Other than that though, swimming is your only option. I have those bad knees.

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  QUOTE Mar 15, 2012 12:49 AM GMT

  There's this sit-down elliptical at my gym with the hand rower...things where you can put your feet up and just do it with the hand..rower..things.

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• agro Posts: 194
  QUOTE Mar 15, 2012 2:57 AM GMT

  TropicalMark saidRowing! (ergometer)

  
  
  Hell no! Rowing is even more intensive on your legs than it is on your arms.

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  QUOTE Mar 15, 2012 3:05 AM GMT

  stark93 said

  TropicalMark saidRowing! (ergometer)

  
  
  Hell no! Rowing is even more intensive on your legs than it is on your arms.

  
  Depending on the specific machine, you might be able to modify your movement, eliminating leg action. I have a Concept2 Dynamic Rower, not too common in gyms. I can row without any leg movement, although it is hard to get my HR up that way. Might be more feasible with the more traditional rowers in many gyms, (especially Concept2 Model C, D, or E).

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• LJay Posts: 6900
  QUOTE Mar 15, 2012 3:23 AM GMT

  Get a wheelchair and go to it.

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  QUOTE Mar 15, 2012 3:24 AM GMT

  Lots of sex?

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  QUOTE Mar 15, 2012 3:41 AM GMT

  Actually, you could row with a slight modification.
  
  I was stuck in a cast for 3 months due to minimalist running shoes and let my casted leg rest on the ground while I rowed with two arms and one leg.
  
  I think you could easily do the same.

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  QUOTE Mar 15, 2012 7:47 AM GMT

  Are you using crutches? If so, that, in itself, is a workout with your upper body and one good leg.

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• sapolo84 Posts: 99
  QUOTE Mar 16, 2012 12:47 AM GMT

  Nah no crutches, its not quite that bad. Physio has just said I can't do anything much on it for a few more weeks and then we will review. Actually feels ok to walk but anything more than that and I can feel it. Might see how swimming goes with it though next week. Cheers for the suggestions boys- I do like the sex suggestion though!

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• chi_rock Posts: 199
  QUOTE Mar 16, 2012 8:53 PM GMT

  If you have access to any cable machines just do light weight/high reps and rotate every minute or so without any breaks -- will get the heart pumping!

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  QUOTE Mar 16, 2012 9:10 PM GMT

  sapolo84 saidNah no crutches, its not quite that bad. Physio has just said I can't do anything much on it for a few more weeks and then we will review. Actually feels ok to walk but anything more than that and I can feel it. Might see how swimming goes with it though next week. Cheers for the suggestions boys- I do like the sex suggestion though!

  
  Swimming should be great since it will be even tougher if you don't use your legs. I hardly move my legs at all in a front crawl, just keep them relaxed and streamlined, shifting at the hip, and letting my arms do all the work. If you can handle water running, it is supposed to be effective for serious runners who want to keep up their training while they're injured.

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  QUOTE Mar 16, 2012 9:30 PM GMT

  If you gym has punching bags, then buy a pair of gloves and practice your boxing skills, sans footwork. It's a great cardio workout.
  
  I remember playing Wii boxing for the first time and was totally spent and sweating like a mother after only 1 fight. Maybe that's what you can do if you have a game system.

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• swimmer8671 Posts: 425
  QUOTE Mar 16, 2012 9:48 PM GMT

  SWIMMING!!!! The greatest sport every, in my completely unbiased opinion, if you use a pull buoy you won't use your legs and you get a great cardio workout.
  
  Trust me on this one!

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  QUOTE Mar 16, 2012 10:12 PM GMT

  swimmer8671 saidSWIMMING!!!! The greatest sport every, in my completely unbiased opinion, if you use a pull buoy you won't use your legs and you get a great cardio workout.
  
  Trust me on this one!

  
  
  Agree. Swimming with pull buoy - not using your legs.
  When I am really sore from leg workout and want to do cardio, I resort to swimming with pull buoy. Great cardio workout!

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