Cardio exercise can be divided into two categories, weight bearing and nonweight bearing. Weight bearing exercises place weight on your joints whereas nonweight bearing exercises do not put a lot of weight on your joints. After a foot injury, you want to stick to nonweight bearing exercises so that you can allow yourself time to heal fully. Below are some examples of great cardio exercises that you can do after a foot injury:
Cycling
Cycling is one of the first exercises that many people think about when they hear the term “nonweight bearing exercise.” Cycling is very easy on your joints, which is why it is a great choice exercise after a foot injury. When you are cycling, you want to make sure that you go slow. You are at an increased risk for reinjuring yourself if you start off pedaling too fast. If you want to get more out of a workout, then you can add a little bit of resistance. Additionally, you want to make sure that you can use the foot straps so that your feet do not slip off of the pedals.
It is important to perform resistance exercises along with cardiovascular exercises. Resistance exercises help keep your muscles strong. Swimming is the ideal exercise for a person who is recovering from a foot injury because it provides a strength training and cardiovascular workout at the same time. It also helps you burn a large amount of calories in a short amount of time.
Boxing
If you have access to a punching bag, then you may want to consider boxing. Boxing not only gives you a great cardiovascular workout, but it is also great for relieving stress. If you find that standing on your foot for a long period of time causes your foot to hurt, then you should sit down and box. You will still be able to get a great workout if you sit down while you are boxing. You also have the option of kneeling on a mat while you are boxing.
Rowing Machine
A rowing machine is another type of equipment that can help you get a great workout while you are recovering. You should try rowing for at least 20 minutes.
Tai Chi
Tai Chi is an exercise that originated in China. It is also referred to as “meditation in motion.” Tai Chi places emphasis on performing a variety of movements in a slow, focused manner. Tai Chi is a great exercise because it does not require any equipment. It can be performed in a group, or you can perform it by yourself.
There are a number of benefits that can be reaped from performing Tai Chi. Some of those benefits include lower stress, improved flexibility and balance as well as increased muscular strength.
Author Bio:
Sarah Del Rosario is a professional writer and currently collaborates with Altrazerodrop. See more information on barefoot running shoes here.