Low impact exercise??: I keep reading about what... - Couch to 5K

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Low impact exercise??

Br0ughd3rg profile image
Br0ughd3rgGraduate
7 Replies

I keep reading about what you should be doing in between runs??? What do people do on their rest days? I have a very sedentary job and on work days struggle to put up many steps.

My couch position: I am currently waiting to tick off my week 7 run 1. Hoping to do it tomorrow. Completed week 6 run 3 on Sunday and then ran on Tuesday with a group. But not the continuous 25 mins demanded for week 7.

Thank you.

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Br0ughd3rg profile image
Br0ughd3rg
Graduate
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7 Replies
Millsie-J profile image
Millsie-JGraduate

Many many things to choose from: swimmimg, cycling, walking, strength and core work, yoga, pilates etc etc

Enjoy!

Midriff_Crisis profile image
Midriff_CrisisGraduate

Get a dog! I take a steady walk in the morning with my dog and daily I cover about 5000 steps just doing that, longer at weekends.

Failing that, just get up and get out. I have a sedentary job and since starting c25k I've had to make a conscious effort to walk for walking's sake. Stretch those legs, get some air through your system. Even if it is walking round the block. You can walk reasonably fast and work your heart and lungs without it impeding recovery between run days.

Cycling is good too. My running loop (about 5.4k) takes half the time to complete on a bike and, again, it's working your heart and lungs while exercising your core and other muscles in a low impact way.

Br0ughd3rg profile image
Br0ughd3rgGraduate in reply to Midriff_Crisis

Wow you are active! I was wondering does an exercise bike count? I have been using it on my work days and in between days to try and keep doing something. I then worry that perhaps it is too much in my relatively new running career??

Midriff_Crisis profile image
Midriff_CrisisGraduate in reply to Br0ughd3rg

Sure, using an exercise bike is still exercise (unless you only use it for hanging the washing on!)

As for being active, this is a new state for me. A little over a month ago, I was a slug!

ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Graduate

I think people do all sorts... however I also have a desk job ( in different places thru the week) and the things I do to keep active are:

Run up and down the stairs a few times 3 times a day and get your colleagues to join you. I had great fun doing this yesturday with Andy and it took all of 3 minutes and I am sure I was more productive afterwards and so was he!!

I sit on a giant ball as its great for the core.

Make cups of tea for your colleagues and hop in the kitchen ( great for balance).

Other than that rest days I do spinning and bodypump BUT its taken me 4 years to get to this activity level so small steps with increasing your general activity. Most of all have fun with it :)

EmC25K profile image
EmC25KGraduate

I find that swimming really helps on rest days. I tend to run in the evening and then go swimming the following morning - it seems to help with any aches and pains as well as improving my general fitness.

Happy running! :-)

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

As Millsie-J says. all those can help... :)

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