Hello all, what exercise are you all doing (if any) on your non-run days? I keep meaning to do a bit of yoga but can no longer get to a class & am rubbish at trying to use DVDs at the mo. But, am I thinking along the right lines or should I be doing non-impact cardio like swimming or on gym equipment?
I'll be interested to see what you all do!
Anything low impact like swimming or cycling is good. I am currently doing a lot of walking and have set myself a target of taking 100,000 steps in a week (which does include my runs).
Thanks SC. Do you go for leisurely cycles & swims or use them as a bit of a workout?
I used to cycle to and from work, but since I started my step challenge I have been walking but will go back to cycling in the winter. I don't currently swim as we moved house last year and we are quite a way from the swimming pool and I refuse to use the car to go and do exercise...however, there is nothing stopping you going for an occasional bike ride or swim as whatever you do it is doing you good.
This is true. I'm currently urging my 3 year-old to get practising on her bike so we can go out together for family bike rides as I feel it's important to include my children in an increasingly active lifestyle. She's not quite there yet so I've not been cycling myself for about 18 months, when I was heavily pregnant with her sister! Same with swimming - I spend a lot of time in the pool but not swimming myself!
We got a 'trail-a' bike and a child seat for when our two were younger, although it is a bit of a weird feeling when a little one is peddling along behind pushing you a bit faster than you would like to go! But you are right, it is good to involve them - my eldest (17) completed his first half iron distance triathlon this year which ends with a half marathon as the run part.
Do a search for "bodyweight exercises" - there are lots of strengthening exercises you can do using nothing but your own body.
Thanks Bazza, will do.
Yoga etc is fab. I love Jillian Michaels DVD,s. Dancing in the front room, walking, swimming, cycling etc
I walk my neighbour's dog for miles
Yoga and pilaties on YouTube is great, loads to choose from. Walking is very good too. But anything you fancy really other than running. The Strength & Flexibily programme is a good start.
Do some resistance exercise. So few people do and it pays such tremendous health dividends.
Thanks Rignold. I get to the gym once a week & generally have a full session involving non-impact cardio (cross-trainer, rowing machine, bike, and/or sometimes stepper) & use the resistance weights. I also do one of my runs there now. I really think doing all the other bits helped in the early days of the programme as I felt my whole body working & toning even when running. And of course it's been especially useful I think as I push an increasingly heavy jogger pushchair on at least one of my runs, so building that upper body & core strength was important as the runs got longer.
TBH I would skip the cross trainer and bike, unless you have a specific injury that means you need to use them. For able bodied people they are terribly inefficient. Unless you are doing spin on the bike, of course. Or using ana assault bike.
My advice would be if you are doing running 3 times a week that should take care of your cardio requirements, concentrate on resistance work in your gym session. You only have so much energy to expend, so when you do wights, just do weights. Avoid the machines as much as possible, and lift heavy. It will not make you bulky. Lifting heavy free weights is one f the best things for all round fitness and long term health anyone, male or female, can do.
That's interesting, thank you. I shall ask for a guide session at the gym to the scary free-weights section... I'm not sure yet how things will pan over the summer holidays yet mind you!
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