Cardio to replace running

[scorpio72]

I've sprained my ankle and can't run right now. It's going on a week and the not running is killing me.  I've been doing the elliptical but it's just not cutting it. 

Does anyone have any good ideas for cardio that would be close intensity wise to running?  I can't swim b/c the pool schedule and my schedule just don't work. 

I don't want to lose fitness from taking a few weeks off running. I still weight train and do a tabata class but its just not running :-(

[joenali]

Swim with a pull buoy.

[Wines Not Whines]

Spinning really gets my heart rate up.

[al320]

When i couldnt run, i took a lot of spin, went swimming a lot, and became very good friends with the rowing machine.

[boston340]

Dec 12, 2013 20:34:57 GMT -5 Wines Not Whines said:

Spinning really gets my heart rate up.

I second this!

[joenali]

Ow! Spinning with a sprained ankle? That just seems painful to me.

[labbie]

Rowing!

[chitownbelle]

I do the stairmill for 20-30 min (I have a little routine to mix it up :-p) and then row about 10 min. My heart rate gets just as high and it is less impact. Hopefully something like this wouldn't put too much strain on your ankle.

[scorpio72]

Thanks! I had not thought about the rowing machine. I've never used one before but may have to try it out. Any tips for using it, or is it pretty self explanatory?

[al320]

Dec 13, 2013 7:07:14 GMT -5 scorpio72 said:

Thanks! I had not thought about the rowing machine. I've never used one before but may have to try it out. Any tips for using it, or is it pretty self explanatory?

If you can, have a trainer show you how to use it properly. Theres potential to burt yourself if youre form isnt right, like everything else.

Id do intervals. First id warm up at a comfortable pace for 10-15 minutes, then id do 30 seconds hard/30 seconds easy, for another 10-15 minutes, then id cool down for 5-10 minutes. I was working my way up to a longer time of intervals when i was able to start running again. I should start again with it.

Also, i wore weightlifting gloves bevause it was giving me blisters on my hands.

Have fun! It kicked my ass in a huge way.

[noisemaker2]

I don't have ideas just wanted to commiserate.   This stinks!  Hope you're feeling better soon!

[mmp]

Kettlebells done correctly are great cardio.

[labbie]

Dec 13, 2013 7:07:14 GMT -5 scorpio72 said:

Thanks! I had not thought about the rowing machine. I've never used one before but may have to try it out. Any tips for using it, or is it pretty self explanatory?

Thought of this post when I came across this online this morning (I was searching for ways to sub rowing for running, but mine is because there's 3 feet of snow outside!)
www.active.com/running/articles/why-runners-should-be-rowers