The three best remaining aerobic alternatives for runners are cross-country skiing, stair machines, and hiking. Cross-country skiing has been touted as the best all-around exercise because you simultaneously use just about all of your major muscle groups in a non-pounding activity. You and I don’t live in Finland, however, so to plan it as a regular part of your program is going to mean hopping on a NordicTrack or similar indoor machine a few times a week. That’s a tough routine to sustain for any appreciable amount of time.
Stair machines have similar plusses and minuses. They can provide a great workout, assuming you take deep enough steps and don’t lean against the rails. They’re also low impact. But they, too, can require Herculean efforts of will to stay on for at least half an hour a few times a week. That’s why most people on them read, listen to music, or watch TV while waiting for the clock to run out.
Hiking offers the great benefit of being outside in beautiful surroundings without the pounding of running. And a mile covered on foot burns roughly the same number of calories whether you run it or walk it. But it’s tough enough to find the time to run for short periods a few times a week. For hiking to make sense as part of your regular program, you’re going to need at least a block of a couple hours a few times each week.
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