What Exercise is OK with Achilles Tendonitis if you Can't Run?

We often get asked what exercise is OK to do with Achilles tendonitis if your injury has interrupted your running programme. That's a good question, because it's important to stay active and maintain your fitness while you recover from an Achilles injury. Sports physio Steph Davies discusses some options for staying fit during your Achilles rehab, as well as some dos and don'ts.

📽️You may also find this video useful:

📚 Chapters:
00:00:00 Introduction
00:00:57 Why you should keep fit during your Achilles rehab
00:02:02 Get on a bicycle
00:03:00 Get in the swimming pool
00:03:36 Go to the gym
00:04:55 Other options
00:05:33 Beware of walking too much

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[SymoneJenai]

As an elite sprinter with achilles tendinosis, thank you for this video :) needed idea of things I can do while not running

[abhinavsingh]

I have been suffering from the tendonitis problem for the past 4 weeks. I have been injured because i went overboard with my resitance level on the gym bikes. However over the past few weeks the injury has not improved much because i have been walking a lot (due to inevitable circumstances).
I am going to the gym and doing upper body training and trying to avoid getting my lower body involved.
I wish everyone the best on their journey to recovery.

[AncoraImparoPiper]

I'm a runner but had to cease running four weeks ago because of worsening achilles tendonitis. I switched to a bike on my indoor trainer. It was ok for the first week but then there was delayed effects for a week. I reduced intensity of my cycling training and it's improving again. So here is hope that my achilles will improve enough for me to return to running again. At leat the bike is keeping me aerobically fit and is strengthening my leg muscles which did get weaker with my running.

[Jaapie]

Good video, I think mine is partially torn. I will buy a spinning bike and pedal flat footed I really am missing my excercise. Do you think that might work?

[jeltesteur]

I have a rowing machine at home and would love to use it to stay fit. How do you feel about rowing during tendonitis recovery?

[dorothygale]

Is just general day to day walking ok? Obvs im not going to go on long hikes or miles and miles...but is just my general walking in the day ok? Thank you.

[gldxp]

Hey there!
I was wondering if walking forward and backwards with weights like a sled or maybe just walking backwards without extra weight could actually help my Achilles to recover.

[ozzyml]

Link to the rehab exercise video seems to be missing from the description?