Cardio that doesn't require much use of legs?

[WhateverYouLike]

So I destroyed my calf muscles the other day. It wasn't too bad, but I'll need awhile to rehab it and won't be doing any running, biking, or any of the stuff I usually do for cardio. I can already feel myself getting fat, and am looking for a way to fight it off. Does anyone have suggestions on other exercises? A friend suggested swimming and I might check that out. Anything else?

WYL

 

[holymadness]

Rowing machine. Stretch your hip flexors a LOT beforehand, as 30 minutes on there will turn them to pulp otherwise.

 

[maxnharry]

Swimming with a pull buoy will also provide a great workout without using your legs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pull_buoy

 

[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.

 

[wmmk]

Originally Posted by holymadness

Rowing machine. Stretch your hip flexors a LOT beforehand, as 30 minutes on there will turn them to pulp otherwise.
Good rowers use their legs.

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.
This sounds better.

 

[SField]

Originally Posted by holymadness

Rowing machine. Stretch your hip flexors a LOT beforehand, as 30 minutes on there will turn them to pulp otherwise.

You'd be rowing pretty horrifically and probably putting your back in a lot of danger if you didn't use your legs.

 

[James Bond]

Swimming.

 

[BGates]

Swimming definately best option or maybe a Total Gym: http://www.totalgym.com/

 

[FLMountainMan]

Sex

 

[TowleY]

Originally Posted by maxnharry

Swimming with a pull buoy will also provide a great workout without using your legs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pull_buoy

exactly what I was going to say. Where I work we have people all the time come in asking what to do with the same problem and everyone says thats the best thing you can do. You dont put any stress on your legs, plus a great cardio workout.

Edit: Stick to front crawl, back crawl. Least amount of work on your legs where breaststroke and butterfly require ALOT ofw ork on them. Maybe later in the run do some of those right now start off with a couple laps at a time nice and easy.

 

[blank]

Please don't use a rowing machine.

Proper rowing technique is 70, perhaps 80% legs.

 

[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...

 

[WhateverYouLike]

Originally Posted by FLMountainMan

Sex

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

 

[WhateverYouLike]

I'll check out the elliptical machines maybe I can find something similar at my gym. It looks like swimming might be my best bet right now.

 

[Hard2Fit]

+1 for swimming.