Cardio alternatives while knee recovers?

dharmachic

Hi everyone, last week during cardio, I landed on my left leg a little weird and felt it in my knee. The next day, it was a little stiff and when I straightened it, I could hear slight crunching/popping sounds, but no real pain, just discomfort, but enough to make me less willing to continue my usual Insanity workouts until it completely recovers at least.

I don't want to stop my cardio though, but am having trouble finding alternatives that will accomplish the calorie burn (my calorie burn target is 500 calories daily) without taxing my knee. Anyone have suggestions for at home workouts that fit the bill? I have a trail near my house that I can run on, but no access to a gym or pool.

Also, any ideas I can do to make my knee heal faster would be great! I'm in my 30's with no other health issues.

Thanks!
Helen

NWCountryGal

I can relate. I don't know if this would work for you but I think swimming is easy on the bod, especially a bad knee. You could use your arms more and try not to use the knee. What about rowing? I am not sure of anything, just throwing out some ideas I had when I hurt my knee. Denise:)

Hi everyone, last week during cardio, I landed on my left leg a little weird and felt it in my knee. The next day, it was a little stiff and when I straightened it, I could hear slight crunching/popping sounds, but no real pain, just discomfort, but enough to make me less willing to continue my usual Insanity workouts until it completely recovers at least.

I don't want to stop my cardio though, but am having trouble finding alternatives that will accomplish the calorie burn (my calorie burn target is 500 calories daily) without taxing my knee. Anyone have suggestions for at home workouts that fit the bill? I have a trail near my house that I can run on, but no access to a gym or pool.

Also, any ideas I can do to make my knee heal faster would be great! I'm in my 30's with no other health issues.

Thanks!
Helen

dawn_eichert

Hi Helen-

I too have horrible knees that don't allow me to do anything that requires jumping and stuff due to an injury years ago that has actually left me handicapped in the knees. I have been doing Turbo Jam videos and Chalene has at least one person always who does it low impact. I follow her for the areas of the video that require jumping as she is doing similar moves that don't require jumping and then for anything related to upper, I follow everyone else. I also do alot of walking and I manage to do about a 3 miles per hour and to get 500 calories, you have to go almost two hours but if you can step it up to a faster pace, you will burn more quickly and not have to go as long. I also carry hand weights and do curls and lifts when I walk but I don't know how that affects calorie burn so I don't bother to try and just log the walking and figure the weights are just bonus.

I have heard glucosomene (sp???) helps alot but I have not personnally tried it. I also use icy hot if they are stiff and sore to relax the muscles after a workout.

Good luck and make sure you allow your knee to heal as you don't want further complications.
Dawn

XFitMojoMom

I read shadow-boxing is excellent cardio for lower body injuries...