Alright, so my girlfriend’s been bugging me about some way she can do cardio without hurting her knees. I’ve suggested swimming, but that’s inconvenient at our university. She can do some calisthentics, but nothing like deep knee bends, as her knee is too bad.
I also suggested grappling (I’m into the BJJ) but I don’t think she’s up for it, and I’d rather not have her rolling around with other guys and watching me get my ass kicked. Any suggestions?
Do you have access to a rowing machine (ergometer) or a eliptical trainer? Those are both very low impact and should not be a problem.
Why would’nt you want her to roll around with other guys? It’s not like they are going to get all hot and heavy in the middle of a BJJ class. The guys would probably be more uncomfortable than she would be.
-Fireplug
I suggest an increase of activity in the bedroom - an energetic session sure does burn some calories, and you can let her do all the work (low impact) 
Although i guess you wont be able to have her get on her knees - i’m sorry, couldn’t help it!
Seriously as the guy before said Rowing and the cross trainer is ideal.
[quote]fireplug52 wrote:
Do you have access to a rowing machine (ergometer) or a eliptical trainer? Those are both very low impact and should not be a problem.
[/quote]
Get her ass on an erg (rowing machine) - it’ll tighten her up in no time.
God, those ellipticals are fucking abomination. The fact that they are so popular is indicative of our “unleaded” half-assed, no effort culture. People love them because they are so EASY. No wonder the fat women and anorexic sorority girls flock to them. People think they are working hard on them - but in reality the motor is really doing all the work. They are only fooling themselves.
You can’t hide any weaknesses on the erg. It’s all you. Your lack of fitness will be clearly exposed. Which is why it’s such an effective (and brutal) machine. The constant feedback never lets you off the hook. It not only forges your body - it forges serious mental toughness, as well. The only initial barrier to entry is someone has to teach you the proper technique in order to get any real benefit out of the machine.
www.concept2.com for more info. it should have some videos of technique to give you an idea.
Of course, given my handle, I’m a bit biased…
-max
" I like to ride my bicycle, I like to ride my bike" LOL
I’m a big fan of taking it outdoors as much as possible. Riding bikes walkling/hiking with added weight in the form of a vest/pack or not. I dunno Skates. Go Canoeing. ETC… Go have fun and do Cardio at the same time.
Just my opinion.
Phill
i thought the goal was something low impact that will keep heart rate low so she can burn off fat. the damn elliptical works the upper and lower body and accoplishes that goal. I think you need to re analyze the training goals posted in the thread. laters pk
I strongly agree with pkradgreek. The elliptical trainer provided me with the lion’s share of my low-impact cardio during the course of my 60 lb weight loss last year. You get out of the device what you put into it. The key is not to lean on it for support…to stand upright without holding on at all if possible. After a five minute warmup, I’ll kick the elevation angle up to 13-14 and building the resistance level gradually up to the 13-15 range, while maintaining 185 steps per minute. 45-50 minutes of that PERFORMED PROPERLY is a kick-ass, low-impact anaerobic session.
MicroSlash - "Kiccking ass since inventingthe opening riff to ‘Welcome to the Jungle’
[quote]pkradgreek wrote:
God, those ellipticals are fucking abomination. The fact that they are so popular is indicative of our “unleaded” half-assed, no effort culture. People love them because they are so EASY. No wonder the fat women and anorexic sorority girls flock to them. People think they are working hard on them - but in reality the motor is really doing all the work. They are only fooling themselves.
You can’t hide any weaknesses on the erg. It’s all you. Your lack of fitness will be clearly exposed. Which is why it’s such an effective (and brutal) machine. The constant feedback never lets you off the hook. It not only forges your body - it forges serious mental toughness, as well. The only initial barrier to entry is someone has to teach you the proper technique in order to get any real benefit out of the machine.
-max
i thought the goal was something low impact that will keep heart rate low so she can burn off fat. the damn elliptical works the upper and lower body and accoplishes that goal. I think you need to re analyze the training goals posted in the thread. laters pk
[/quote]
ride a bike! i’m not talking about those boring stationary bikes at the gym. I’m talking a real bike! yes, get outside and have some fun.
[quote]pkradgreek wrote:
God, those ellipticals are fucking abomination. The fact that they are so popular is indicative of our “unleaded” half-assed, no effort culture. People love them because they are so EASY. No wonder the fat women and anorexic sorority girls flock to them. People think they are working hard on them - but in reality the motor is really doing all the work. They are only fooling themselves.
You can’t hide any weaknesses on the erg. It’s all you. Your lack of fitness will be clearly exposed. Which is why it’s such an effective (and brutal) machine. The constant feedback never lets you off the hook. It not only forges your body - it forges serious mental toughness, as well. The only initial barrier to entry is someone has to teach you the proper technique in order to get any real benefit out of the machine.
-max
i thought the goal was something low impact that will keep heart rate low so she can burn off fat. the damn elliptical works the upper and lower body and accoplishes that goal. I think you need to re analyze the training goals posted in the thread. laters pk
[/quote]
No. The elliptical still sucks. You can do low-impact on the erg if you want. You control the effort, the machine does not control you. If you want to go low-intensity you can, if you want to high intensity - you can row your guts out. It’s up to you.
The point remains: as a cardio option - the ergometer destroys the elliptical. That was my point.
Actually, as a low impact cardio option - rowing destroys pretty much everything ,except maybe XC skiing.
P.S. you’ll burn more fat by taking your heart rate in the higher ranges. HIIT cardio beats no-intensity cardio any day of the week (unless of course, you’re on a low carb diet) - this is especially true for women.
[quote]MicroSlash wrote:
I strongly agree with pkradgreek. The elliptical trainer provided me with the lion’s share of my low-impact cardio during the course of my 60 lb weight loss last year. You get out of the device what you put into it. The key is not to lean on it for support…to stand upright without holding on at all if possible. After a five minute warmup, I’ll kick the elevation angle up to 13-14 and building the resistance level gradually up to the 13-15 range, while maintaining 185 steps per minute. 45-50 minutes of that PERFORMED PROPERLY is a kick-ass, low-impact anaerobic session.
MicroSlash - "Kiccking ass since inventingthe opening riff to ‘Welcome to the Jungle’
pkradgreek wrote:
God, those ellipticals are fucking abomination. The fact that they are so popular is indicative of our “unleaded” half-assed, no effort culture. People love them because they are so EASY. No wonder the fat women and anorexic sorority girls flock to them. People think they are working hard on them - but in reality the motor is really doing all the work. They are only fooling themselves.
You can’t hide any weaknesses on the erg. It’s all you. Your lack of fitness will be clearly exposed. Which is why it’s such an effective (and brutal) machine. The constant feedback never lets you off the hook. It not only forges your body - it forges serious mental toughness, as well. The only initial barrier to entry is someone has to teach you the proper technique in order to get any real benefit out of the machine.
-max
i thought the goal was something low impact that will keep heart rate low so she can burn off fat. the damn elliptical works the upper and lower body and accoplishes that goal. I think you need to re analyze the training goals posted in the thread. laters pk
[/quote]
just a thought: how can an ANAEROBIC session last 45 minutes? You must be some kind of genetic freak ! Typo maybe?
You don’t really have a frame of reference until you’ve jumped on an ergometer, learned to row, and really let her rip. Maybe try an “hour of power” or do a 2K or 6K speed test if you want to learn what real pain is all about.
Not to knock your progress which is awesome - but the elliptical is inferior to indoor rowing as a low-impact cardio option. Any cardio machine with a MOTOR is inferior to one where you have to provide all the energy.
Sorry to be so harsh, but, well… I really hate ellipticals - they fool people into thinking they are getting a great workout when most of the time they are not - it has no carryover into anything - and, unfortunately, most of the people who use it aren’t the sticklers for form you were.
If your gym has an erg - I would invite you to give it a shot - you may just like it.
Even better: if there is a local club in your area - go down there and get in an eight (8-man boat) - it’s way more fun than anything you’ll do indoors - even the damn erg!
www.usrowing.org to see if there is something in your area.
peace,
-max
Low-Impact: Incline Walks…the maximum incline and maybe 3-5mph.
You could also consider high-rep dumbbell/kettlebell hang snatches.
-ton