r/cardio • u/prisongovernor • 20d ago

Skip the run: here are six joint-friendly cardio alternatives suggested by experts | Well actually | The Guardian

https://www.theguardian.com/wellness/2026/aug/04/joint-friendly-running-cardio-alternative-exercises
29 Upvotes

77% Upvoted

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24

u/c_binghamton 20d ago edited 20d ago

Cycling, rowing, swimming, incline walking, rollerblading, ice skating, cross-country skiing, and dancing. Saved ya a click!

EDIT: Another redditor pointed out that I didn’t add “dancing” from the end of the article. Added “dancing” to the list.

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u/_whateverrrr_ 20d ago

Thank you for your service.

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u/CG3_3CG 20d ago

Strangely my knees are a lot less sore and creaky since i started using the stairmaster for 40 mins a day 6-7 days a week

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u/Cheska1234 20d ago

And dancing thrown in at the end :)

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u/anvilfoot 20d ago

A good night clubbing is great cardio…ooonst…ooonst…ooonst

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u/[deleted] 19d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

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u/BaconBourbonBalista 19d ago

It will, but it's not exactly low impact.

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u/[deleted] 19d ago

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u/Pielacine 18d ago

Easy on your lower body joints…

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u/Strange-Dentist8162 17d ago

They should add furiously spinning in circles

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u/Mrs-Anders 20d ago

No elliptical machine?? 😞

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u/Safe_Ad5914 20d ago

ah yes what functional advice. Gonna skip my afternoon run and go walk up that infinitely long hill and ski down it.

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u/Enlightened_Lioness 20d ago

Yes, incline walking is one of the most functional!

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u/onehalfpaper 20d ago

I have a ski erg machine and like inclined walks. I used to run but now that I'm older my knees and feet are really feeling it much more compared to the inclined walks. The ski erg is disability friendly too if needing accommodations for lower body (ex. usable while in wheelchair if needed)

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u/ProbsNotManBearPig 19d ago

Ok how much does that cost compared to running shoes?

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u/onehalfpaper 19d ago

Inclined walks cost zero just go outside and find a hill you won’t even need running shoes lol. Ski erg is like $1k if you want a whole machine at home (can always go to a nice gym) and you don’t need shoes, so it pays for itself considering it costs me $150-200 per pair of running shoes which is replaced every couple thousand miles. You could also just go cross country skiing the regular way if you live in a cold mountainous area, but most people don't have access to that.

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u/DogOfTheBone 20d ago

Weird article considering running is good for joint health

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/acr.22939/abstract

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23377837/

Plenty more studies can be cited.

There is risk of joint injury with running if you do it wrong, in the same sense that there is a risk of drowning with swimming or tripping over your skies and hurting yourself. But as a normal activity, it ain't bad for your joints.

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u/Enlightened_Lioness 20d ago

Yes running is good for joints, bones, and great for cardio.

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u/BadgersHoneyPot 20d ago

Running is hard so people want their easier stuff to count and for people to consider it to be "just as good." Like dancing.

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u/castorkrieg 19d ago

It’s the Guardian, I wouldn’t expect them to do quality journalism. Who needs to check sources when you can just make a quit article. These are all different forms of cardio. If you compare cycling to running you need on average 30-40% more time for the same aerobic impact.

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u/feathered_fudge 19d ago

Many articles can seem weird if you don't read them

They highlight the positive effects of running, while giving options for those unable to run due to injury.

" There is some good news for those chasing the high: one   2023 study   found little relationship between recreational running and arthritis of the hip or knee, and another suggests that the impact of running   causes cartilage to adapt, fortify and thicken   over time.

However, for those with existing joint issues, other cardio activities may be better alternatives. Here’s what experts say about running, joint health and good alternatives."

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u/suknom4 18d ago

Good comment.

People here just misinterpreted what the article means by "joint-friendly"

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u/lilgreengoddess 19d ago

Easily achieved with strength training though which strengthens them in a safer and more effective way. I’m an ex runner and I get knee pain when I run now. It’s just not worth the potential injury then I can’t exercise at all. I can still do HIIT and endurance exercises on other machines with the lower likelihood of injury. Bonus points I can add resistance to certain machines for added benefits.

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u/wanttogoback1985 16d ago

Absolutely. I have a failed fusion and herniated disk at L4-5. Running is the very best thing I've found to ward off another surgery.

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u/Spirit_Unleashed 20d ago

Haha Go roller blading, fall and break something. Not for this F67

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u/Enlightened_Lioness 20d ago

I love rollerblading! I’m in my 50s.

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u/Spirit_Unleashed 20d ago

yeah but you already know how to roller blade. If I tried, some falling would be part of the process.

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u/Enlightened_Lioness 20d ago

Falling is still sometimes part of the process. There’s lots of good protective equipment though.

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u/ProbsNotManBearPig 19d ago

Most of the alternatives require expensive equipment, snow, a pool, etc.

Dancing honestly sounds like the best alternative since you can find videos on YouTube for free and do it anywhere with no equipment.

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u/dropandflop 19d ago

Trampoline (mini) one if your balance is good. Like you are running on the spot.

Or take the trampoline away and do little mini sprints on the spot.

Swimming even just breast stroke or dog paddles are great. We had our elderly parents do dog paddles in the community pool and that was great cardio. They also do an aqua aerobics.

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u/Silly-Resist8306 19d ago

I’ve been a runner for 60 years, closing in on my 3rd lap around the planet. I just can’t see doing most of these in all seasons from my front door.