Aerobics vs. running

Okay, so there are some days when I just don't feel like running. Is aerobics a good cardio substitute for running? Does anyone know of good aerobics videos?

Anything that gets your heart rate up is a good substitute! Also it's very good to cross train a couple times a week- do other cardio (elliptical, bike, stairs, etc) or weight workouts besides running. I was always a huge fan of the tv show Carribean workout and taped a bunch of them. They did high/low, step, mini trampoline, etc and was a lot of fun! I think they had some dvds too.

Great, thanks! School is almost over so I'm going to be making an exercise/nutrition calendar to sort everything out.

If you have digital cable, I recommend perusing the 'On demand' fitness videos. Everything from exotic dancing workouts to 80s haristyles and headbands.

Personally, I love 'Cardioke.' Yep. singing while doing cardio to build stamina. Its fun, cheesy, and low impact enough that I can still get motivated to do it on days where I can't get motivated for a full workout.

Its also good to mix up your workout. So on the days you dont feel like running is a good thing  because then you can find another form of working out.

good luck!

Original Post by minda_spk:

If you have digital cable, I recommend perusing the 'On demand' fitness videos. Everything from exotic dancing workouts to 80s haristyles and headbands.

Personally, I love 'Cardioke.' Yep. singing while doing cardio to build stamina. Its fun, cheesy, and low impact enough that I can still get motivated to do it on days where I can't get motivated for a full workout.

 I was looking on there yesterday night actually! Under the Fitness section they have a lot of cool videos. But I saw they are like $2.99 each or something so I thought I might as well just buy a movie!

aerobics is great, esp for cross training.  A high impact, step aerobic, like Step by Body Training Systems or Les Mills is your best bet. It's a high intensity, interval class, incorporating a warm up track, step up track beginning to raise your hr, step ahead track..really raise your hr, leg track, high intensity interval track, agility track, interval track to bring heart rate down slightly then an attack track..followed by cool down, abs/pushups and stretch track. It's fast paced, the hr goes by very quickly and you will burn apprx 500 cal.  These classes are not combo classes like the old fashioned step/sculpt. No weights involved. Very high intensity but lower options are always showed for the novice and/or challanged fitness level person.

No matter what you do, cross training is essential.

Have fun!

Original Post by fitnessgirll:

aerobics is great, esp for cross training.  A high impact, step aerobic, like Step by Body Training Systems or Les Mills is your best bet. It's a high intensity, interval class, incorporating a warm up track, step up track beginning to raise your hr, step ahead track..really raise your hr, leg track, high intensity interval track, agility track, interval track to bring heart rate down slightly then an attack track..followed by cool down, abs/pushups and stretch track. It's fast paced, the hr goes by very quickly and you will burn apprx 500 cal.  These classes are not combo classes like the old fashioned step/sculpt. No weights involved. Very high intensity but lower options are always showed for the novice and/or challanged fitness level person.

No matter what you do, cross training is essential.

Have fun!

 Thanks for the information! I'll look into finding those videos. What would you reccomend is a good exercise system for a week? Ex.. alternating running, aerobics?

Original Post by megnaay:

Original Post by minda_spk:

If you have digital cable, I recommend perusing the 'On demand' fitness videos. Everything from exotic dancing workouts to 80s haristyles and headbands.

Personally, I love 'Cardioke.' Yep. singing while doing cardio to build stamina. Its fun, cheesy, and low impact enough that I can still get motivated to do it on days where I can't get motivated for a full workout.

 I was looking on there yesterday night actually! Under the Fitness section they have a lot of cool videos. But I saw they are like $2.99 each or something so I thought I might as well just buy a movie!

 Are you sure because mine are free, unless I want to order an actual video to be sent to my house for keeps.  Just to watch and do the workout on  TV is free.   I do the Jillian Michaels ones mostly,

Original Post by 4kitties:

Original Post by megnaay:

Original Post by minda_spk:

If you have digital cable, I recommend perusing the 'On demand' fitness videos. Everything from exotic dancing workouts to 80s haristyles and headbands.

Personally, I love 'Cardioke.' Yep. singing while doing cardio to build stamina. Its fun, cheesy, and low impact enough that I can still get motivated to do it on days where I can't get motivated for a full workout.

 I was looking on there yesterday night actually! Under the Fitness section they have a lot of cool videos. But I saw they are like $2.99 each or something so I thought I might as well just buy a movie!

 Are you sure because mine are free, unless I want to order an actual video to be sent to my house for keeps.  Just to watch and do the workout on  TV is free.   I do the Jillian Michaels ones mostly,

Really? I have Rogers On Demand, I'm assuming that's what you have too. There's a free channel and a PPV channel. I had to go to the mostly PPV channel to find them, and I didn't check them all but the ones that I did cost money. What channel do you use? I went on the free channel and couldn't find fitness stuff.

I agree with alternating other cardio with running.  Cross-training is important. 

But don't drop running altogether.  The impact of running will increase your bone and joint strength and decrease your chances of getting osteoporosis later in life, where other arobics will not. 

I have Rogers On Demand and the only free fitness vids are the yoga ones (yoga for runners and yoga for the soul or something).  The others are $2.99 like you said.  Channel 100 if you're interested in the yoga vids Megnaay.

Original Post by sharz96:

I agree with alternating other cardio with running.  Cross-training is important. 

But don't drop running altogether.  The impact of running will increase your bone and joint strength and decrease your chances of getting osteoporosis later in life, where other arobics will not. 

The only issue I have with running is the health of my knees. I have very little cartilege, causing grinding of my knees after 8 years of soccer. I wear orthodics but I don't think that helps them.

I LOVE AEROBICS!  I'm not a fan of running, and when i do decide to run or more likely jog, i don't get a good workout...maybe because I don't push myself as much as i should.  However, in aerobics (a class i attend at my gym) my instructor REALLY REALLY pushes us and it's fun!  There are many kinds of aerobics classes, like step, kick boxing, and salsa dance aerobics (which our instructor teaches) so not only am i getting a good workout but also i'm getting dance lessons lol!  I still do some jogging/walking for other days to mix up my workouts a bit. 

I've never done videos, but if you ever get into a gym find out about the classes that they teach.

Totally agree. I LOVE aerobics classes. I have a tendency to watch the clock and get unmotivated by the time not going by fast enough whenever I work out alone or watch videos (almost like i do at work lol) but when I'm in the class the teacher pushes you and you have others doing it with you. Most of the workouts are also upbeat with music that you'd listen to riding in the car so it's nice to feel like you're dancing to it. Another plus is having a friend to go with. They'll also lighten the mood and you'll be exercising with them and might even forget that you're exercising! :]