Alternative cardio exercise to running?

[passmyglassplease]

Afternoon ladies, I am a regular runner and it is my chosen weight loss method. Unfortunately I seem to be suffering from tendonitis and am unable to enjoy running without putting up with the pain!

Consequently my weight has started to creep up and I am concerned I won't be able to get into the dress I have bought for my sister's wedding (8 weeks left)

Can anyone advice of a good cardio exercise that doesn't involve too much repetition on the ankles?

I am a keen cyclist but find that I can drop a lot more weight (if need be), by running so really need something hardcore to replace it

By the way I am not a keen swimmer as I have problems with my ears.

Any advice appreciated

Get yoursef in a kayak - it kills me {wink}

swimming

rowing

elliptical machine

kettlebells, they get my heart rate up more than running and they tome you up brilliantly. Worth the investment, no bingo wing worries with them!!

I find that there is less impact on the joints when I power walk instead of run but you really need to keep the pace up.

I run, power-walk, swim and do exercise DVDs and find it is the only way for me to avoid injury and stave off boredom.

sorry have now seen you have problems swimming. Presumably you have tried ear plugs to help your ear problem? Just asking as all my 'serious' runner friends have done swimming when injured/unable to run.

There are also water aerobics classes where you are not required to get your head wet (would solve the ear problem), but they are often full of older ladies who have weight/joint/mobility issues. But maybe you could find something suitable?

You could also try a stationary bicycle - as long as you don't ramp up pressure to point it would bother your ankles.

fortyplus, I would love to try kayaking, how often do you do it?

kitty, so what do you actually do with the kettle bells?

llareggub, can power walking achieve the same effects as running?

earlybird, think that the rowing machine may also put pressure on the achilles

some great ideas, keep them coming

I know there is a kind of yoga that is aerobic too, but not sure of the name....maybe ashtanga?

passmyglassplease - kayaking frequency varies... across the winter it's mainly pool sessions with occasional white water trips. (Yes I've swum down the Wye in Feb when there was snow on the bank!)
Summertime it's anything up to 4 or 5 times a week. Whitewater is my favourite though we're miles from anything decent. We go to the Nene whitewater centre quite a bit. Our club is based on a canal so lots of flat water paddling. I'm div 3 slalom (don't be impressed - I'm pretty rubbish) so quite a few competitions to go to.

If you google BCU you can find your nearest Canoe Club or if you're in south or midlands I can probably point you in the right direction.

I love it - I went on an open canoe weekend in Wales last week which was brilliant, too.

I walk up the steep hill behind my house. It takes me up to 500 meters elevation in 40 minutes. The aim is to walk it so fast that I do it in 25 minutes. It is so hardcore that my chest is burning and it feels like I am going to implode.

I am also trying to get into a dress I have bought for a wedding on 9th October.

I do this walk twice a week, I dance salsa with my husband, and aerobics once a week. I am hoping to reach my goal.

good luck!

spin
spin
spin
and spin

700 cals in 45 minutes

and no your legs don't get big or thunder thighs

spin 4 times a week it is a quick and really good class with a feel good factor of cyclign stationary in a group to music

Have to say that's spinning everytime for me. If I can't get to a class I do 10 mins each on the following because it's not long enough on anything to hurt a particular joint.

Rowing machine
Treadmill - 7 kmh at level 10 incline
Stationary bike - interval profile programme
Stairmaster - interval profile programme
Eliptical trainer - hill climb profile
Treadmill - 5kmh at level 15 (most difficult the machine has) incline.

After that i'm a sweaty mess and my HRM says I've burnt 650 to 700 cals. The switching machines every 10mins keeps me engaged rather than my mind wandering as I get bored easily. I really miss the constant change of scenery the you get when running outside.

Have you tried Crossfit? Have a google and find out more about it. It's a functional fitness programme that uses elements of lots of sports. The workouts sound deceptively easy, but really are a killer. I have lost loads of weight and toned up lots doing it with a few friends and a trainer. It's varied and workouts are mega intense but short, so it's perfect for people like me that get bored easily. It's amazing to see your progress in the exercises over a few months.

They have gyms of their own in the UK, so depends if you have one nearby and whether you wanted to commit to that.

Failing that, definitely spinning!

sorry op, did not have anything to add, but was surprised spin classes burn 700 clas. I can believe it tho as nearly died when i did my first and only one.

Hi guys, I'm back, my injury is improving thanks acupuncture, but I have tried a few of the recommendations on here and it has been fun.

Still want to try kayaking tho.

But for me nothing and I repeat nothing does it for me in the same way that running does.

So, now I am almost fit again I am waiting to see if I got a place in the London Marathon, anyone else out here waiting?

I am excited but also nervous as I have never run that distance before

It will also be a real commitment to at least 5 days running a week.

I find rowing best tbh... cross trainers kill me too.

I just dont have the technique for rowing, it always kills my back. and I think I hate it

Hi passmyglass. I noticed Kitty mentioned kettlebells. I was going to suggest them too.

My instructor at the gym has introduced them tme a couple of weeks ago and my goodness! they are cardio and resistance in one exercise. I was gasping for breath within minutes! (and I'm fairly fit!)
Next day I could feel the muscles in my back, arms, bum ,legs and stomach.

have a look at this page for an idea.