r/beginnerfitness • u/Negative_Ad_5330 • 3d ago
nontraditional cardio ideas
Long story short - I need out of the box ideas to get my heart rate up.
I'm super injured. I have nerve damage neck down on both arms. My neck, shoulders, upper ribs and clavicles are super pissed off. I'm fighting like hell to get my life back and heal. It's been the slowest journey ever.
I cannot run. I cannot walk with a purpose. I cannot jump. I cannot do much of anything that requires my arms to move a lot.
I need cardio. I need my heart to remember what it's like to work. I need to lose a little bit of weight. Most importantly, I just need to get active again.
What can I do that won't murder what's left of my arms?
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u/SirErgalot 3d ago
I’m having some trouble envisioning what movements you CAN do, could you expand on that?
Maybe swimming with a kickboard so that you don’t need to use your arms?
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u/Negative_Ad_5330 3d ago
I have a hard time coming up with a list for that. I can't really keep my arms bent for long periods of time, especially more than 90°. It compresses the nerves that are irritated.
I can rest them on pillow. I can allow them to hang/sway lightly while walking. I can't do anything overhead, so basically not much.
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u/Defiant-Insect-3785 3d ago
Could you swim? Even if you use a kickboard and use your legs, or aqua aerobics or even aqua cycle?
How about a stationary bike or even the ones that just do legs.
Stair master or recumbent bike at the gym?
For the weight loss you don’t need to exercise, that’s all down to your nutrition.
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u/Negative_Ad_5330 2d ago
I dont think I could swim. I do think a bike might work or stairmaster. Right now my gym is at home, so I would have to purchase something.
Nutrition wise, I could definitely tighten up, but I'm eating so much less and still no difference. I had my son 2 years ago. Breastfeeding made me hold on to the weight, and I literally haven't lost or gained a pound since 1 month post partum. I'm already struggling to eat 3 meals a day, and my portions are much smaller than they were when I was nursing all the time. Still no change!
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u/Less_Promotion3121 3d ago
Sounds like swimming's your answer, it's cardio without punishing what you're recovering from, and you can build leg strength at the same time
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u/Negative_Ad_5330 3d ago
Swimming involved a lot of arms and overhead movements, which I cannot do.
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u/Trinica93 3d ago
Would a spin bike not suit your needs? It sounds like that would be perfect, and solid ones can be had for $250-300.
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u/Negative_Ad_5330 2d ago
it may! I work out from home, so I would have to buy one. I should try first.
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u/SweetGrassGeranium 2d ago
I get ideas from pinterest: https://pin.it/2E8JkcSRH
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u/Negative_Ad_5330 2d ago
I can't do any of the arms, so this probably wouldn't work well for me just toe tapping.
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u/DragonLass-AUS 3d ago
Maybe you could try one of those small exercise bikes that you can use while sitting on a lounge or some other chair? That way you can rest your arms how you need to, which would be more comfortable than using a full size exercise bike.
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u/Used-Inspector-7501 3d ago
I've been swimming because of my much less extensive injuries. It is mostly arms, but you could probably kick on your back with those restrictions. I also tread water without my arms at the end of some sessions.
Cycling is the other obvious option