Good cardio

[Morthen]

Whats good cardio excersise outside running. I dont mind running so much but it KILLS my knees. what are some alternatives?

[jamesh75]

Eliptical machines, cycling, and swimming are all great cardio workouts that don't have the impact that running has.  I've been running for 8 years, and had some knee and foot problems until I got my shoes figured out.  Go to a good running store and have them fit you to the proper shoes.  There are three different types of running shoes, and if you are in the wrong ones, it can make running really painful.  The person at the store should examine the current shoes you run in to check for wear patterns.  Some stores will watch you run on a treadmill to see your running style. 

The other thing is take it slow.  Follow the 10% rule.  Which is if you run 20 miles one week, don't go over 22 the next week.  Add mileage slowly.  Staying away from concrete will also help with the knees.  Asphalt is softer than concrete.  Or if you can find a gravel or dirt trail, that will be even better.  I run a dirt singletrack trail quite often and it's like running on pillows compared to concrete.

If you have any questions, feel free to post them or PM me.  I'll be happy to answer them.

James

[schro]

I'm a runner also, and James hit it right on the head.
Good luck.

[Kratos]

Heavy bag training.

[Larry]

Running my be good for the heart but is rough on the knees.  I think the best way to get the heart pumping is a stationary bike but it gets really boring..  I've seen other things out there but are expensive and the price tag alone makes my heart race.  I'm really interested in the gazelle but have no place to put it.  At my age, it doesn't take long to reach the 70-80% threshold.  I have one of those heart monitors that beeps when I go outside of my range.

[lou911]

     The best cardio is the one that gets done ! Whether it's  steady state cardio or high intensity interval training. Both can be done on the treadmill or stationanry bike.

[D.A.L.U.I.]

     The best cardio is the one that gets done ! Whether it's  steady state cardio or high intensity interval training. Both can be done on the treadmill or stationanry bike.

Very good point.  The low impact stuff, while not as effective as plain running or jogging, will get it done.  Use an iPod or MP3 player or radio to break up the boredom, just "git 'er done."

[Rusty Shackleford]

The other thing is take it slow.  Follow the 10% rule.  Which is if you run 20 miles one week, don't go over 22 the next week.  Add mileage slowly.  Staying away from concrete will also help with the knees.  Asphalt is softer than concrete.  Or if you can find a gravel or dirt trail, that will be even better.  I run a dirt singletrack trail quite often and it's like running on pillows compared to concrete.

If you have any questions, feel free to post them or PM me.  I'll be happy to answer them.

James

Swimming is another great form of cardio if you have a long enough pool to make it worthwhile.  And it's very low impact.

As for running pain, my doctor once advised against running on the same side of the road.  Roads and sidewalks are normally designed to drain water into the gutter so one side is always higher than the other.  So if you constantly run on the right side of the road on the sidewalk, your right leg is always hitting a slightly higher surface than the left.

My route is OK because I spend about half running on the right side of the road and the other half is on the left side.

[PopeyeRay]

I have to say, go swimming. Its a proven fact, swimming is great, as it wroks every muscle you have. Do the four different strokes, free, back breast, & butterfly. I promise you, it WILL help you get toned and lose weight.

[RyanJP]

Heavy bag training.

Boxing is still the best cardio tool for conditioning, so is a good rowing machine  

The best shape I ever was in for endurance was when I was in the Corps and it was because of all those humps and luggin around an m240g everywhere I went.

[bernacj21]

I have known running to be the best cardio exercise but then as far as my reading is concerned it is just only one of the best. Here are the top five best exercise to boost up our cardio system:
- running
- Boxing for cardio strength
- Swimming excellent for heart strength and low impact
- Power Walking slow cardio resistance
- Ashtanga Yoga for core strengh and cardio workouts

These are best explained in the link below.

http://www.fuelthemind.com/health/fitness/5_best_cardio_routines.html