Non weight bearing cardio???

[elgerber]

Hi all,

I normally use my treadmill every morning. Right around the beginning of October, my ankle hurt a little now and then. No biggie, lots of other things hurt now and then and get better. The next week we were at WDW for 8 days (which of course involved miles of walking every day). By the end of that my ankle was quite swollen, and sore to the touch sometimes. I had it x-rayed at home, no break or fracture. This was 10/16. I wrapped it and stayed off the treadmill for another 8 days. The swelling and pain to the touch are gone, but the ankle still hurts farily often if moved the wrong ways or walked for too long.

So, the point of all of this, can you think of any cardio I can do on a sore ankle? I don't have access to a pool, so can't swim. I can do arm work on my total gym, but not the leg work. And even my hula hoop involves ankle rotation.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

 

[NYcpa]

Have you considered a rowing machine? You would probably need access to a gym for that.

A stationary bike may or may not bother the ankle.

Good luck finding something you can do.

 

[chamonix]

I think an elliptical would be good. You are upright and standing, but not jarring. Your feet stay firmly planted.

 

[donac]

I have always been told that a bike is the best for an ankle

 

[JMD]

I think an elliptical would be good. You are upright and standing, but not jarring. Your feet stay firmly planted.

Ditto. If you have access to a gym, an elliptical may be your best bet.

 

[goldcupmom]

I have a rebuilt ankle - no break, just had no tendons or ligaments left (at age 16)- but I still have frequent episodes of pain. Biking is good, Elliptical isn't usually painful, an arc trainer is good, rowing maching. Some of the WATP DVDs are doable as they don't have too much impact or side to side motion, just marching, Hope it gets better soon! I totally know what you are going thru!

 

[elgerber]

Ditto. If you have access to a gym, an elliptical may be your best bet.

Thanks everyone. I do not have a gym membership, but I do have an old stationary bike. Maybe I will try that. I can do relaxed walking without much bother ,but I know that isn't gonna help me much.

 

[goldcupmom]

Another thought..... I can do much more walking outside and at a faster pace, than on a treadmill. treadmill hurts more when it is already hurting - not sure why.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Twist and Shout! I've got a similar situation to yours, but it's a very sore knee, not ankle. I put on oldies music and "dance to the oldies".

 

[redwalker]

You should try using weights and get those arms moving. The muscle you will build in your arms will burn calories even if you legs aren't moving. Try one arm rows, straight arm lifts, curls, side raises. It will keep your metabolism up and will help you even if your ankle isn't cooperating.

 

[elgerber]

Wow, a 3 year old thread! I did get an elliptical a couple of years ago, and that works great. I still cannot use my treadmill, or my ankle will start to hurt again, but the elliptical doesn't bother it at all.

 

[redwalker]

How do you like the elliptical compared to the treadmill. I am a treadmill girl, but I will have to get something new in the next few years. Just wondering if you feel you get the same burn/results.

 

[elgerber]

How do you like the elliptical compared to the treadmill. I am a treadmill girl, but I will have to get something new in the next few years. Just wondering if you feel you get the same burn/results.

Compared to walking/fast walking on the treadmill, I think the Elliptical is a better workout. When we first got it, I could do 45 minutes easy on the treadmill but 5 minutes on the elliptical killed me! Took a little while to build up to it.