Non-impact leg strength training moves?

Burger2066
Burger2066 Posts: 126 Member
edited February 2016 in Fitness and Exercise
I've got a torn meniscus, and the doctor isn't going to fix it. I've been working around it for a year+ now and it really isn't a big deal anymore as long as I keep things to minimal or no impact. I don't run anymore, just ARC, elliptical, or cycle. I do a lot of leg strength training, with extra focus on balance/stability. I'm just looking for some more ideas that I can incorporate into my leg days.
Right now I do a lot on the bosu. Dual and single leg squats (with and without weights). Bounce a tennis ball off a wall to catch it while balancing in a squat. Things like that.
I also use sliders and do a lot of skaters and backwards lunges with them (with and without weights).
We don't have a squat rack at my work gym because some idiot loaded the bar up and hurt himself, so they took away the toys from all of us. But we do have a leg press machine and a barbell, so I make use of those to get heavier squats in than I can on the bosu, but I still don't load it up heavy since there isn't a rack to set the bar on and I workout alone.
Hamstring work with the exercise ball.
Weighted calf raises.
Monster walks with band around knees.
Side shuffle with band around knees.

What other no/minimal impact leg work can I do?

Replies

  • SonyaCele
    SonyaCele Posts: 2,841 Member
    deadlifts. do they have a TRX, there are some leg things you can do on that. Stepups with the barball. if they have plates you can do those Olympic lifts like snatch and clean or whatever they are with a weighted bar.
  • Hornsby
    Hornsby Posts: 10,322 Member
    If you have a real bike, do elevation training intervals on it.
  • Burger2066
    Burger2066 Posts: 126 Member
    @SonyaCele I have a TRX that I bring from time to time. But I should definitely use that more.
    @Hornsby I have a mountain bike and a road bike. But I live near Dallas, TX. My elevation training on them is maybe 100 feet. Haha. I do go ride though.
  • Hornsby
    Hornsby Posts: 10,322 Member
    Headwind and rolling hills ;)
  • Cherimoose
    Cherimoose Posts: 5,208 Member
    Burger2066 wrote: »
    I've got a torn meniscus, and the doctor isn't going to fix it. ?

    Have you gotten a second opinion? Running & jumping are pretty basic human skills.. some would say survival skills.. so i wouldn't forfeit them unless it was absolutely necessary.

    Anyway, can you do walking lunges?
  • Burger2066
    Burger2066 Posts: 126 Member
    Cherimoose wrote: »
    Burger2066 wrote: »
    I've got a torn meniscus, and the doctor isn't going to fix it. ?

    Have you gotten a second opinion? Running & jumping are pretty basic human skills.. some would say survival skills.. so i wouldn't forfeit them unless it was absolutely necessary.

    Anyway, can you do walking lunges?

    I've gone to 3 docs including my one that I've been using since my college hockey days. None of them want to touch it and they said I won't be running long distances again. I can go about a mile and still walk fine the next day. It is feeling good though since I'm not doing prolonged impact moves. Short bouts of plyo or a couple of sprints doesn't bother me too badly. Walking lunges actually put a lot of impact on the knee, so I stay away from those too.

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