Jillian Michaels hates my knees!!!!

Denziee

I've got 30 day shred and I do enjoy it and it has worked some wonders for me. But level 2 kills my knees. Its the squats and lunges (excessive amount of!!) And then I can't get onto level 3 because I'm having to rest up whilst my knees recover.

Can anyone suggest any alternative DVD workouts that I can do in the meantime? I'd like to try some other stuff rather than another JM dvd.

And I know you'll tell me to go to the gym instead or run but I can't afford a gym membership and I do run already and will coninue to.

So really any other dvds people like? I enjoy the circuit training aspect of 30Day Shred.

Help! Save my knees!

cardbucfan

First and foremost, check your form. Find a youtube video that shows the correct way to do lunges and squats. If you can run and it doesn't bother your knees, you should have no issues with the other stuff. My knees kill me after I run but except for the screaming quad issue, I could do squats and lunges all day with no problem.

edorice

30 Day Shred is a good workout, however I have suggested to my coworker and other's that they shouldn't do it every day. I think that on your 4th workout day you should do a good stretch DVD. Jillian has Yoga Meltdown.

tjsusong

I have one of the Biggest Loser videos and I love it. It also goes in stages. It doesnt seem to be too hard on your knees, but I havent gotten past the first week yet! HAHA.... You can find them at Walmart for $10 each!!

123nikki123

I really like circuit training with Jackie Warner, actually all of her videos are great too:) Make sure though that when you are doing your squats and lunges that your knees aren't going past your toes...big no no and it will cause injury.

edryer123

I have terrible knees and I usually don't have a problem with them when i do her dvds so i would check your form. Also it would be a good idea to rotate with other dvd's I like doing cardio ballroom and latin dance. doesn't feel so much like a workout but it still burns the calories.

Setof2Keys

Im still a big Tae-Bo fan. For 55 min you can burn over 1,000 cal. I usually do the cardio max or fat blasting workout...Gotta love Billy Blanks!

Losing2Live69

I'm not sure if it is available where you live, but I use the exercise videos on "On Demand". They have a bunch to choose from. They are from yoga to ballroom dancing and everything in between. They are free. It is better than having to buy them or rent them.

pkd1

Turbo Jam

edryer123

Im still a big Tae-Bo fan. For 55 min you can burn over 1,000 cal. I usually do the cardio max or fat blasting workout...Gotta love Billy Blanks!

His were my first dvds and I still LOVE them! I do at least 3 workouts a week with him.

avninjalette123

I have been doing her BANISH FAT BOOST METABOLISM dvd. I do the full 40 minute work out. That's all the circuits. She has it boken down so you may do one circiut or more, it's up to you. I have bad knees, shin splints as well as tendinitis and plantar fascists and a bad back. This has helped me to be almost pain free. She gives you alternatives for easier and harder on just about all the moves. I lost a pound and an inch off my waist, neck and hips, just doing this dvd for three days! I hope this helps!

KeepOnMoving

I hear you loud and clear!!! I did the 30 day shred, January of 2008 or was it 2009? Anyway I did the whole 30 days straight! Hated the feeling it gave my knees. I also did it early in the morning and I am not a morning person. It did feel stronger so it gave me a jump start for the rest of the year. But then I got out of shape again....

Spring of 2010 I started a Couch to 5K after all, I thought running is easier than Jullian. But I guess I pushed myself too much and one weekend when I ran 9 miles or more non-stop in very hilly neighborhoods, I permanency damaged my knees. I had a MRI and they found very little cartilage (osteoarthritis at age 41.) So now I have have to quit running, squats, split lunges, jumping jacks with power...... But because I lost weight since since starting MFP, by george I am not gaining it back.!!! I love my DVD of Billy Blank's This is Tae Bo. It is quite the workout to get my heart rate up without all that knee pressure. I do wear knee braces to keep my knee caps in proper alignment.

Did you said "Save my Knees?" I also do a DVD exercise called "Strong Knees" created from a lady who is a licenced physical therapist, massage therapist and certified Pilate instructor. You do this daily. But if you don't have time, they have a 7 minute "Save My Knees" workout that you can do. I wish I knew what I know now which is strengthen all your muscles: gluettes, hamstrings, hip flexors, calves, etc. All these muscles whether they are week or too tight will cause your knee cap to be out of line and cause your bones to rub together. That will eventually cause bone spurs, cartilage degeneration, a.k.a arthritis. The web site for "Strong Knees" is bodyinsight.com

barefootbeautiful

Yep, check your form. I have arthritic knees, and I can still do weighted squats and lunges, so you should be just fine if you can do them right. You'll need to do this in front of a mirror: turn sideways and squat. Are your knees past your ankles? If so, you need to work on "sitting" not "squatting. Most beginners will also place their weight on the ball of the foot, and this will cause more pressure on your knee, causing a lot of pain. When you do a squat, put as much of the weight as possible on the heel of your foot. Lift your toes off the ground if you have to, but you've got to get your weight/balance on the heel. Finally, squatting isn't all about the bending of the knees, it's also about bending at the hips. Bending from your hips as you lower your body will allow you to transfer that weight onto your heel, rather than bendning at the waist and leaning back on your butt causing compensation with your knees.

Lunges can be corrected much the same way. Make sure your knee does not come more forward than your ankle. Again, it's best to check this sideways in the mirror. And again, put the weight on your heel.

If you think you're doing this, and it still hurts, I'd consult a trainer first. Any good trainer can quickly help you correct your form, hopefully easing the tension on your knees. Like I said, I deal with this problem daily, so I know it can be painful, but if you can do these exercises right, they'll actually strengthen that knee fairly painlessly.

shreddingit

I hear this so much!!!...its not the shred its actally your body, your not getting enough calcium in your diet, you might think you are but we women need a lot especially us active ones...since sept ive been running hardcore did 2 rounds of shred and never felt any pain...take care of your bones there the ones doing the moving :bigsmile:

ShannonWinger

I had the same problem last year when I started the Shred and I was already fit at the time. I could not do it every day and had to slow down and mix it in with other workouts. I mixed it with Tamilee Webb workouts. Lots of lunges and squats. Do make sure you have good form and don't let your knees pass your toes and keep your weight in your heels when you sink down. Also, make sure you aren't dehydrated and have good shoes. I bought new shoes and that also helped a lot. Good luck! It's a great workout once you can get past the knee part and you can.

Denziee

Massive thank you to all you lovely people with the lovely advice.

barefootbeautiful - especially you!! I will check this out, I have been checking my form and making sure I do it right but I didn’t know about the weight on your heel thing and concentrate on sitting not squatting. I’m sure this will help me a lot!
In all truthfulness I think I am just bored of Jillian and her 30 Day Boredom Shred. I will try Billy Blanks and also Jackie Warner. I’m from the UK so it depends whether I can get these DVDs off Amazon to play on my DVD player. Thanks Again!!

And also to “strong knees” … I’ll be taking a look at this!!

laur62

I love Bob Harper's Inside Out Method Series. Pure Burn Super Strength and Cardio Conditioning are awesome and fine on my weak knees!