Best Exercise

[Jim D]

I'm reaching the age where I think the benefits of running are starting to be outweighed by the wear and tear on my knees. Does anyone have any suggestions on what I can do to keep in shape for football to replace jogging? Bicycling? Roller Baldes? A certain type of exercise machine? I didn't mind running but I'm not sure if it's still the best idea for me.

[kdf5]

I'm an avid cyclist and the wear and tear is minimal. Some say it's a bit hard on the lower back but abdominal work helps that. The down side to that is finding places to ride. I'm lucky because I have plenty of wide highways with shoulders around my small town plus hike bike trails plus mountain bike trails to ride. If you're in a big city you should be able to find hike bike trails so you can stay off the streets and you should be able to find lots of cycling groups/clubs to ride with.

[grantsrc]

Swimming or the elyptical machine. Swimming is some of the best excercise you can get with NO impact.

[Rick KY]

As another with bad knees, I use the following exercise activities: swimming laps, rowing machine, cycling (machine and bike both). If you belong to a fitness center or gym, ask the trainers there for ideas. I personally do not like elyptical machines because the length of the stride is too short and I feel uncomfortable on them. Stair Stepper machines are low impact, but still put alot of strain on your knees.

[jontheref]

I agree with Grant on the machine and swimming. The other thing is nothing more than a long walk for a half hour might also do the trick.

[l3will]

The old nordic tracks are low impact and you can vary your stride length. I see them
available for a pretty low price in the want ads occasionally. To me it is pretty natural,
but for some they have a hard time mastering the cross country skiing motion.

Worth considering...

[HLin NC]

but some exercise person/guru/expert stated that if you need to run then you need to train to run. They discounted the effects of say bicycling.

I understand as my wheels ain't what they used to be ( and they never were really). In season I stretch heavily and I ride an Aerodyne at lunch for 15-20 minutes and do some machine weights

Post- and pre- season I've run a quick lap around town for about 1 1/2 miles 2-3 days a week and lift on the others.

About May I start running sprints on a practice field at lunch or in the evening.

[kdf5]

I think when it comes to running that if you're in good enough shape to run 3 miles you're in good enough shape not to.

[Jim D]

Originally Posted by kdf5

I think when it comes to running that if you're in good enough shape to run 3 miles you're in good enough shape not to.

Deep. Very deep!

[Rick KY]

You are correct about training for the right activity. When we officiate football we run, but in short sprints mostly, with occassional 80-100 yard sprints. My trainer advised me to train aerobically on low impact equipment to protect my knees, and then go run a series of sprints on the field. She suggested running a series of 20, 40 and 60 yard sprints in sets of 5 or 10. She also advised orking on core body muscles (abs) and doing agility drills will hope with change of direction moves we must be ready for. She put together a progrqam for our association and I'll include the link here to 2 pdf files you could use and share.

http://www.nkoafootball.org/guests/f...nditioning.htm

[Jim D]

Originally Posted by Rick KY

You are correct about training for the right activity. When we officiate football we run, but in short sprints mostly, with occassional 80-100 yard sprints. My trainer advised me to train aerobically on low impact equipment to protect my knees, and then go run a series of sprints on the field. She suggested running a series of 20, 40 and 60 yard sprints in sets of 5 or 10. She also advised orking on core body muscles (abs) and doing agility drills will hope with change of direction moves we must be ready for. She put together a progrqam for our association and I'll include the link here to 2 pdf files you could use and share.


http://www.nkoafootball.org/guests/f...nditioning.htm

Thanks, Rick. This is great. I assume the training aerobically on low impact equipment would be using the elliptical and cross country ski types of equipment as mentioned in some of the other posts.

[HLin NC]

A Sports Illustrated from earlier in the fall showed some NFL players and their work-outs. One of them was a "core" centered regimen.