Best Aerobic Exercises?

[peace-love-couture]

I'm going to quit running & HIIT in hopes of not having such muscular legs & thighs.

I'm looking for a new aerobic activity that won't cause muscle gain or a muscular body or muscle definition.

What's a good aerobic exercise or activity? Zumba? Jump rope? Taebo would be bad right?

[indelible]

I think you should get over your phobia of muscle. Do you actually have any? Have others said mean things to you? It's quite hard for girls to put on muscle and most mean comments are said out of fear or insecurity from others.

Currently I think it'd be more the HIIT (I'm guessing that's High Impact Interval Training) causing more muscle growth. Running is good - keep it on more of a flat circuit if you don't want to work your legs (and muscles) as hard.

My view: Sporty body is a good thing - check your views. Running doesn't cause muscle growth (at least not like a bodybuilder). Running and other cardio like skipping would be OK (you might get toned legs - hope you're OK with that!). You could try swimming too.

[peace-love-couture]

Why would anyone have a phobia of muscle?

And why am I not allowed to have a preference for my body? I would prefer thin legs, not muscular/toned legs. It's not that damn deep of a preference.

[indelible]

It just sounds like you have a phobia of muscle - you can call it a preference for thin legs.

You can have a preference. If you want thin legs - that might not be an option for you. Try swimming or running without the HIIT.

[peace-love-couture]

Do I fear muscles? No. Do I run away when I see muscle? No. Do I want muscle? No.

Wow, I MUST absolutely have a fear

[indelible]

It's an expression.

[peace-love-couture]

uh, no it's not. it's literal.

but you aren't gonna answer my question so goodbye.

[peace-love-couture]

You're clearly a dumbass or you would learn the difference between a fear and preference

[indelible]

The focus of this is on your desire to exercise without gaining muscle. I've given my recommendations - swimming and running.

[peace-love-couture]

I wasn't talking to you, sorry. It was addressed at her

[WeaponZero]

do dance-based workouts such as rockin' body or zumba and modify it for the low impact version for every exercise. by eliminating the movement that produces movement you are also eliminating the plyometric aspect of it.

[peace-love-couture]

Low impact? doesn't that defeat the purpose of getting a cardiovascular workout?

[WeaponZero]

no, you can get a good cardio impact with low impact. but anything high impact will have a plyometric nature to it, even running, which means you're hitting your leg muscles in a way that is adding resistance

[WeaponZero]

also, you can do other forms of HIIT than running. HIIT basically means any type of cardio workout, done in intervals.

[WeaponZero]

anyway whenever you go through a dance based workout program such as rockin body, turbo fire, or zumba, you'll notice they always have one person doing a low impact version of ever exercise for you to use as a guide. follow that person.

[peace-love-couture]

Mmm, not sure I have an interest in other HIIT activities. I feel like they'll all just defeat the purpose of my cause and preference.

I think I'll try zumba, cause my friends love it and tell me it's fun.

[WeaponZero]

Just remember to follow the low impact guide

[YourMisery]

If you want to lose muscle and continue to get thin you can always cut down protein... I don't think any exercise is going to get rid of muscles. If you don't have enough protein your body will eat itself.

That would make you skin and bones in no time. But I have no idea why any girl would want that, guys tell me all the time that muscular legs are hot =\

I wish I had super musclur legs lol!

[peace-love-couture]

See, I kind of don't want to do that cause my diet isn't high in protein anyways, but I'm also really BIG on taking good care of my hair(which is mostly protein) and skin :)

[YourMisery]

Well, love what you're working with, then =]

[candlewax]

Why do you keep saying the body will eat itself? Stop giving advice in this department. You don't know wtf you're talking about.

[peace-love-couture]

What advice do you have? You seem to criticize quite a bit but offer nothing helpful

[YourMisery]

Your body will consume it's own muscle.

Candlewax isn't very nice!

[LuvBiddy]

Pilates for 25- 30 min (that's how long my beginner dvd session is) + walk around town for an hour.

[LuvBiddy]

Addition: keep your routine interesting. If you add to what I already said a couple sessions of that zumba class per week, you'll be in great shape.

[myspacemybroke]

Been researching the power 90 workout system a bit. I think it is oriented towards muscle definition and tone, but you could try modifying it to fit your needs or just doing part of whole 90 day course.

[peace-love-couture]

Sounds expensive and pointless

I never fall for those things and they always leave people muscly and unattractive. I want to LOSE muscle, not gain

[myspacemybroke]

...so you're looking for a workout to *lose* muscle. Sounds mildly counterproductive, though I'm sure there's something out there for it.

[peace-love-couture]

If you'd read my question you would know that. It's not that hard to do-read

[WeaponZero]

power 90 is a great system. it just gets boring quick and its not really good for her goals.

[peace-love-couture]

I'm not wasting my money on that crap, so you can go do it if it's so great

[myspacemybroke]

You don't have to get all defensive about sh*t, we're just making suggestions. Chill out

[peace-love-couture]

Maybe if people actually read my question and answered it I wouldn't be so defensive.

[myspacemybroke]

Well if you want to go through life with a stick up your ass, don't let me stand in your way. Have a good one.

[peace-love-couture]

Oh yes, I have a stick up my ass for wanting actual answers. EXCUSE ME for using the site for what it's intended for

[BeerME]

Try spinning with low resistance. You might also consider doing longer distance running at a slower speed. The muscle growth you're experiencing is likely from the HIIT. Sprinting builds more muscle than distance running.

[SheepdogAmongUs]

Swimming is a great option. As are Parkour and Free Running.

[SofaKingGood]

Kinda of a tough one since its eather toning or gain.

Maybe swimming, its more for toning but I guess you could try not using too much legs?

[martyfellow]

I'd try spending less time sitting at the computer!

[peace-love-couture]

You should really mind your own business.

Clearly you spend too much time at the computer or you wouldn't be monitoring my sh*t. I'm 17, you're 31, what's your excuse?

[peace-love-couture]

Do you have no answer 31 year old man who spends his life on the computer?

[candlewax]

Sweetheart, go take some midol. Your psychotic responses to everyone's answers are getting old. Why even ask a question if you're just going to do nothing but get sh*tty with everyone?

[peace-love-couture]

Why do you continue reading my sh*t if you have such a problem with my attitude?

And I made a point. I'm 17, he's 31, what's his excuse?

[candlewax]

Your circular arguments are circular.

[peace-love-couture]

Would you like me to block you? Because as much as you enjoy following me around and criticizing my attitude, you seem to lack the ability to not click on my questions and read them and comment on them.

Are you too stupid to read or what?

[guy532]

boxing

[peace-love-couture]

That's just gonna cause muscle gain

[kheserthorpe]

In the legs? Not really.

[peace-love-couture]

The rest of my body will gain muscle and that's not what I'm looking for. I don't want muscly arms or a 6 pack

[guy532]

no not really, hit the bag and I'd be surprised if you last more than 3min without stopping. It's the best aerobic exercise I've tried and plus it gives you confidence in being able to protect yourself. It's worth a try.

[peace-love-couture]

I don't think boxing is for protection and as I've said I don't want muscle gain ANYWHERE. Arms, midsection or lower body

[guy532]

you'll get toned you won't gain more muscle than any other aerobic exercise

[peace-love-couture]

I find girls who box to have nasty bodies...so yeah, not doing it.

thanks for the suggestion though. At least you answered my question

[guy532]

They only have nasty bodies because they do other exercises as well. Boxing alone would not cause those drastic results, it'll just make you lean and tone. I know you're not going to listen to me, it's your loss anyway...glad to help.

[MrEM4N]

Swimming is great.