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What exercise do you do that's NOT running?

68 replies

SmiledWithTheRisingSun · 22/02/2019 22:25

So fed up of being overweight.
I know that I need to exercise more as well as eat less.
I currently swim and walk.
And contemplating getting back into yoga...
Any other ideas of what I can do to feel good?
Lots of my friends jog and bang on about all the 1/2 marathons they are doing but I can't run due to a knee injury.
I need some alternative exercise inspiration please?

OP posts:
bugeyedbarber · 23/02/2019 22:40

HIIT is high intensity interval training. You work hard for 20 mins (or more obviously if you so choose) and it burns fat very efficiently.

Try Jillian Michaels 30 day shred to start. You'll do it for 30 days and you can lose a stone. I did. It was my post partum workout of choice. On amazon for a fiver.

There is a really great thread going on Exercise board with people doing Jillian - fab for keeping you accountable.

Ratatouille76 · 23/02/2019 22:40

Kickboxing. I love it. Never enjoyed any exercise before except running but lost my running mojo years ago and its never come back.

Arnoldthecat · 23/02/2019 22:38

Cycling,,all the way. Trust me its the way forward. It is low impact but is incredibly beneficial as an aerobic excercise. It builds muscle strength in the legs obviously ,improves balance and agility. If you get a bike, the next thing to do is make sure its set up properly so that its comfortable and your peddling is having maximum effect. There is no doubt your first few runs out will be a strain but keep at it and it will soon become easier. Keep it up and you will be stronger ,fitter and have potentially life saving benefits such as lower BP,resting heart rate,greater aerobic capacity etc,,, also get yourself a yellow vest. If your in a heavily urbanised area,set the alarm at weekends and go out early when its quiet.

showerpower · 23/02/2019 22:33

I have a back problem so have to be careful, I swim, do yoga and Pilates and go for long walks. I try and do 10,000 steps a day too.

wanderings · 23/02/2019 22:29

Another vote for netball - much more fun than the gym.

KatyaZamolodchikova · 23/02/2019 22:27

I do Pole Fitness, Aerial Silks, Yoga & Dancercise. I love all four, I’m so much fitter, stronger & flexible. I can’t do the gym, I get bored too easily, so I need classes that push me, but keep me interested!

SmiledWithTheRisingSun · 23/02/2019 22:26

HIIT sounds great - what exactly does it involve?

OP posts:
SmiledWithTheRisingSun · 23/02/2019 22:24

What's Fitness Blender AnnaMagnani?

OP posts:
SmiledWithTheRisingSun · 23/02/2019 22:23

Thanks for all the suggestions!

Will definitely try something different this week. I belong to a gym but find it boring. I think a new class is a good plan.

Have a bike. Will cycle more too Smile

OP posts:
HundredMilesAnHour · 23/02/2019 20:46

I hate running.

I do free weights 3 x week and HIIT classes 4-5 x week, plus some yoga after each training session. I also walk arond 60km each week. My knees are a little dodgy so I sometimes need to be careful with some of the HIIT work. I do quite heavy free weights and have done a lot of work with my trainer to strengthen my knees and this is really paying off.

When I have knee pain, the best exercise that causes minimal pain is rowing. If you have access to a rowing machine, this could be an option OP.

parrotonmyshoulder · 23/02/2019 20:33

Martial Arts. Individual but sociable. Adult beginners always welcome and you don’t feel odd - we have loads of adults (karate, but many other types available). You get out what you put in. I work hard so am sweating buckets by the end of a session, even if it looks like we’re not moving much.

roundtable · 23/02/2019 20:27

Olympic weight lifting and crossfit. Great fun and supportive.

Good luck op. Finding the right exercise is key. It's easy to stay motivated when you really enjoy something.

bugeyedbarber · 23/02/2019 20:12

HIIT and jazzed up Pilates (where you burn more but tone at the same time)

HIIT is massively efficient and if you bust it for 20 mins 4 times a week and watch your food you'll see results in three weeks.

Can't do gyms - do everything at home.

Also I cycle to work as cardio. Love it.

BangingOn · 23/02/2019 20:05

*fun. It’s so much fun, not run. Clearly.

BangingOn · 23/02/2019 20:04

Pole dancing/fitness. So much run and incredible for strength and flexibility.

Hiddenaspie1973 · 23/02/2019 20:03

Cycling and walking.
I should start weights really. My arm and wrist strength is rapidly diminishing.

EvaHarknessRose · 23/02/2019 20:01

Do yoga and weights

Or Nordic walking/pool walking

NotwhereIshouldbe · 23/02/2019 19:51

I horse ride and do that most days but recently took up aerial hoop and aerial yoga which I love! I've also tried pole fitness but found it too hard, and about to try aerial silks. I've done aerial trapeze as well which is good fun and I don't feel like I'm working out as I enjoy it so much (although I do ache for a good week after!) I have no upper body strength but doing this has really helped!

AnnaMagnani · 23/02/2019 19:41

Am very unfit and also have bad knees which have limited me before.

Have done the Low Impact programme on Fitness Blender and am so much fitter, lost a stone am also eating a lot less and have moved on to another programme. My knees are also v happy.

You only need a mat and some hand weights - although I keep having to buy new weights as I'm getting better and better Smile

I've quickly got the hang of what to substitute when moving on to a non-low impact programme - but my quads and hamstrings are so much stronger now I often just have a go anyway and my knees so far are holding up SmileSmile

carrie74 · 23/02/2019 19:36

I do a mixture, but don't belong to a gym. See a PT fortnightly, circuits class once a week (my PT runs it at local leisure centre), yoga once a week, a bit of running sometimes, a bit of cycling sometimes, sometimes a swim, a game of tennis, badminton with the kids, Fitness Blender workouts at home, walking (have a couple of keen walking friends, so try to slot in some longer, 'proper' walks with them too).

My children are old enough to be left at home now, which has allowed me to up my exercise game. My Apple Watch has also been a real motivator.

Sweating and getting out of breath is quite important though (I know it's initially unpleasant, but now I feel cheated if I'm not covered in sweat at the end of a workout Grin).

BazingaBaby · 23/02/2019 18:19

I cycle to or from work every day (building up to both ways once I'm a bit more confident road cycling) and do 1 hr a week Clubbercise class. I think if you can find something you enjoy, you'll stick with it easier.

Bloomburger · 23/02/2019 14:44

Spin
Boxing
Pilates
Body Balance
Resistance Training

No matter what you do. It's only 20% exercise, you need to sort your diet out.

Hockneypool · 23/02/2019 14:37

Cycling is very good for dodgy knees as it’s low impact especially compared to running.

Yoga or Pilates is great for flexibility and strength.
Also look at leg exercises to support your knee.

Whatdoyouknowwhenyouknownowt · 23/02/2019 14:30

Banned from running, not that I ever could, due to hip.

Airbike, rowing, free weights, swim, general flow stuff, bit of Crossfit within reason, used to do Pilates, yoga also breaks me

CountFosco · 23/02/2019 14:29

DH cycles to work, that's fairly low impact but don't know if it would still aggravate your knee. Fitting exercise into your daily life is the best way to increase the amount you do.

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