by Christen Brady

Created on: December 18, 2010   Last Updated: December 23, 2010

How to Get a Good Workout Without Running

I have never been an avid runner, but I recently decided to get into the habit to help fight off some pounds that were a little more stubborn than they used to be. I trained for a few months and eventually ran two 10K’s with some friends. I felt proud of my accomplishment and saw the results I was hoping for, but there was one nagging problem. Shin splints. I had been plagued with this painful condition in high school where the muscles around the shin becomes inflamed and can eventually cause a stress fracture, and knew that I needed to take a break from running for a while.

I turned to my other options at the gym reluctantly, not because I was such a devoted runner, but because I had gotten used to the routine of running. Developing a whole new plan was not an exciting thought. I decided not to venture far from the treadmill. My first day using the stationary bike was all about figuring out which settings provided the resistance I personally needed to get a good workout. I adjusted until I found the right levels and spent about a half an hour pedaling away. You find out quickly how different machines work different muscles. The bike really worked my quads and hamstrings, and put a lot less pressure on my knees and shins. (Which is after all, why I decided to give it a spin.) After a few more days of finding my niche on the bike, I realized I really enjoyed using it. I often find a good magazine on the rack and read while I pedal, which makes the time go by remarkably fast. I still break a good sweat and really feel it in my legs when I stand up. Sometimes I pair the bike with other machines, such as the elliptical or walking on the treadmill. Doing a half hour on one machine, then switching to do fifteen minutes on another, breaks up the workout and keeps me from getting bored.

After branching out a bit on the bike, I decided to venture even further from the treadmill and try out some exercise classes at the Y. I admit I have only tried a total of three so far, but each one has found a different way to make exercising more fun and interesting. My first was “Cardio Dance”, which is a blend of dance and aerobics. It is amazing how quickly 45 minutes can fly by when you’re doing the Percolator and variations of the Cupid Shuffle. I also tried a class called “Hardcore”, which is basically a Pilates class that focuses primarily on the midsection. My soreness the following day was proof

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