Skipping?

funkey_monkey

Hi,

I do mostly weights at the gym but I want to do some cardio in order to keep up my fitness levels. Whilst I love weight training I hate losing the stamina I had when doing circuits etc.

I was thinking of doing skipping as it needs little equipment and I can do it in most places. However, I'm open to other suggestions - apart from running as I get shin splints. Maybe when the good weather rolls around I'll go out and do some sprints though.

Any suggestions - I do like doing weights/KB based circuits but I've not found a great deal of info online.


Thanks.

I know nothing about it but I could only imagine you'd have issues with skipping that you'd have with running since they're both impact stuff?
I'd suggest crosstrainer maybe??

funkey_monkey

Can't afford one of them and nor do I have the space at home.

You said you were in a gym so I assumed you meant you'd be doing it at the gym and that they'd have one ...

funkey_monkey

bluewolf wrote: »

You said you were in a gym so I assumed you meant you'd be doing it at the gym and that they'd have one ...

Yes, although I mostly do weights at the gym and don't want to spend much more time there if possible.

Alf Veedersane

Skipping isn't great if you have shin splints.

A lot of boxers will get shin splints at some stage because of the running or skipping or both.

You could see how it goes but I would do a serious amount of flexibility work on your calf muscles before you start it to give yourself a chance.

funkey_monkey

What are my options then - looks like some type of high intensity circuits instead. Is there any type of circuit I could do in a weightlifting frame - i.e. squats, pull-ups...

Alf Veedersane

You could try spinning.

Do you like running? If you do, there are ways to help alleviate or avoid shin splints. Decent runners, running on grass or treadmill, lots of stretching of leg muscles.

But a high intensity weights circuit with short rests would work as as well

funkey_monkey

Can't abide spinning. I don't particularly like running, it was a means to an end.

Any suggestions for a circuit?

Alf Veedersane

You could base it on compounds. There was a thread Hanley hac up for short, sharp workouts with one being front squat @ 60% alternated with pull ups. Can't remember reps but it's an idea.

Intervals on rowing machine is a killer as well.

bb1234567

Skipping is great exercise. I do 5 mins of fast skipping once every hour of the day - I usualy end up with about 45 mins of skipping done everyday which is like 450 calories burnt with what feels like no time taken out of my day for exercise.

Alf Veedersane

bb1234567 wrote: »

Skipping is great exercise. I do 5 mins of fast skipping once every hour of the day - I usualy end up with about 45 mins of skipping done everyday which is like 450 calories burnt with what feels like no time taken out of my day for exercise.

It is but...shin splints

VW 1

Cardio is getting your heart rate up.

To do cardio, lift lighter weights, faster.

The possibilities are endless, you can do it with the most basic of equipment.

Off the top of my head on leg day something like a ladder of burpees, wallballs and goblet squats. No stopping, no resting. 10 of each, followed by 9, 8 down to 1. Time yourself and try to beat it when you come back to it. Certainly more intense and will take your breath away than running in a treadmill or a cross trainer.

Options for chest day would be on the minute every minute for say 12 minutes, 8 push ups followed by dumbbell flyes.

DL day, KB swings supersetted with stiff leg deadlifts for 5 rounds.

Basically pick anything that will be burny and take your breath away while working the muscle group you are trying to hit.

bb1234567

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

It is but...shin splints

Do you skip in runners? I get shin splints when I do, but when I skip wearing socks I don't get them.