Cardio that doesn't require much use of legs?

[why]

Originally Posted by WhateverYouLike

It's hard to get your heart rate up in 10 seconds

Then get a bunch of guys and go at it all night. The only required use of your legs is spreading them.

 

[tky56]

Originally Posted by caphill

Yes, rowers utilize the legs, but not really the calf muscles. I row regularly and my calf muscles never feel a thing. Now the rest of my legs...

As a rower, calf muscles are part of the set of muscles used for the initial part of the drive.

WhateverYouLike, it sounds like an upper body ergometer, like this one, would be perfect for you.

Good luck with the recovery.

 

[RVAduffer]

that's what I was referring to earlier.

 

[mensimageconsultant]

Originally Posted by RVAduffer

my gym has an elliptical type machine rowing machine that only utilizes your arms. have no idea what it is called by you are basically using your hands to pedal like your feet would pedal a bike. mostly used for rehab i would think.

That's called an arm bike. If more regular gyms had them, probably fewer gym-goers would later need rehab.

 

[brimley]

I can't imagine arm bikes work very well. First rule of cardio is the use the big muscles, right? I think swimming would be about five times more efficient, even without the kicking.

 

[Kev07]

shadowboxing/punching bag

 

[CDFS]

Originally Posted by caphill

Yes, rowers utilize the legs, but not really the calf muscles. I row regularly and my calf muscles never feel a thing. Now the rest of my legs...

Having rowed on and off for 20 years I can vow for this to be a falsehood. Certainly the first quarter of the stroke your calvemuscles play a big part in the movement.

 

[LA Guy]

Originally Posted by tky56

As a rower, calf muscles are part of the set of muscles used for the initial part of the drive.

WhateverYouLike, it sounds like an upper body ergometer, like this one, would be perfect for you.

Good luck with the recovery.

I've always thought it was called the windjammer.

Originally Posted by nyf

I can't imagine arm bikes work very well. First rule of cardio is the use the big muscles, right? I think swimming would be about five times more efficient, even without the kicking.

Try it. It will kick your ass. Before ever having used it, I was of the same opinion as you. No more.

Originally Posted by Kev07

shadowboxing/punching bag

Shadowboxing requires that you use good footwork, if you are doing it correctly. Similarly, if you are going to hit the heavy bag with anything but weak arm punches, you are going to drive your punch through your hips and legs, so, probably not a great idea.

The windjammer is your friend. If you are strong and coordinated and fairly lean, another great thing to do is a pushup, pull your legs in (harder on one leg, so a better workout), power up, do a pullup. Drop down to a crouch, shoot your legs out. Push up. Repeat.

 

[Tardek]

Swimming. You can just pull yourself along with your arms and let your legs dangle. Swimming is massive cardio.

 

[bbaquiran]

Originally Posted by LA Guy

If you are strong and coordinated and fairly lean, another great thing to do is a pushup, pull your legs in (harder on one leg, so a better workout), power up, do a pullup. Drop down to a crouch, shoot your legs out. Push up. Repeat.

Oh man. Burpees plus a pullup. Regular burpees are enough for me.