KamikazeTL

What would be the best cardio exercise for me? I may have a bad knee because everytime I try to run now it would hurt after like 1/3 of a mile so I don't think I should be running anymore. Sucks because I'm only 20 but yeah whiskers said the ELIPTICAL machine thingy. Is that the machine where you hold on the bar and jsut keep going up and down?

Whiskers

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw...rds=elliptical

NSXNEXT

iTrader: (2)

I ride the recumbent bike at the gym. I had Osgood-Schlatter disease as a child. Coupled with high jumping and hurdling in high school I messed up my knees pretty good. Never have issues with my knees on the bike.

EuRTSX

+1 for Ellipticals

Pug

You may well have to throw in the towel on running, and if you do, the elliptical is a great way to go. That said . . .

Sometimes joint pain that's induced when running can be from your shoes. What kind do you wear when you run? Have you ever had a running shoe expert assess you? Depending on your frame size, how your legs are shaped etc, one shoe might be a big improvement over another for you. For example, take a look at Road Runner Sport's "Shoe Dog" and see what it comes up with. Finally, my experience has been that cheaping out on running shoes will only cause problems in the long run.

Beelzebub

Elliptical is good, but I like the bike. I had knee surgery and that is what I mostly do.

I just got some training videos from Carmichael Training systems and they do kick your ass.
they are 50 minutes long or so where on some of them you keep your heart rate at 92% max for almost 20 minutes of it.

KamikazeTL

yeah i got a pass to 24 but i guess i'm going to go with the bike. How long do you guys ride the bike for and do you guys go fast? I just want a REAL workout comparable to running but i'm going to give the bike a shot and the eliptical is what I had problems with before because for some reason I feel weird/gay when I use it lol because I only see ladies use it

Whiskers

I see just as many guys on the ellipticals then the women.....If you want a real workout, and you are comfortable with your manhood, try spinning....

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iTrader: (2)

When it's just a cardio day I do 16 miles in 60 minutes.
On lifting days, I do 12 miles in 40 minutes.

Watching reruns of Law and Order makes the time fly by.

eccjak

swimming a few laps

Beelzebub

It depends

You don't want to ride for less than 40 minutes, and I can do 24 miles in that time. We have a competition at the office who can do 20 miles in the shortest time on the lifecycles, I have done it in 32 minutes and 35 seconds and that isn't the fastest.

I usually spin in level 16 at around 105 rpm, but I am a cyclist and it is my main form of exercise. But you need to find what works for you.
I have as I said started doing CTS videos and they have me on these bikes going at 60 rpm at level 20 (highest) which can truly kick your ass.

Doom878

Swimming is a great suggestion. Most pro athletes use it while rehabbing the knee.

I like a boxing routine. If you can't jump rope or run, you can at least still work the bags, box with light weights, etc. Much funner if you don't have a TV while biking/elliptical.

Street Spirit

I have a bummed knee too.

Best cardio exercise, even without injuries: swimming, elliptical machine, and walking (as long as you are speed walking, or walking fast enough to get your heart rate up).

These are easy on your joints, burn lots of calories, and use more than one muscle group at a time (eg: upper and lower body).

synth19

This is a great point. You can actually look up "shoe tests" online to see if a shoe is good or not. I have a chiropractor friend that does this all the time.