Weak Knees?

bluex232

I have been working on abs/butt/thigh exercises and have been getting frustrated because I keep having to stop in the middle of some of the exercises. Not because of the muscles I am trying to work, but because of my knees. I am wondering if this is normal. For example, trying to do the bicycle and In and Outs on this page (http://2012lastfatyear.blogspot.ca/2012/01/300-challenge-ab-core-workout.html) or doing wall squats or walking the stairs. I don't have to stop because I am tired, or because my abs/butt can't take it, but because my knees are killing me. I try and do 25 reps of each (and with the stairs I usually do 10 minutes on my break at work). I am just wondering if this is normal or if there is something I can do to strengthen them. I am 30yo, 5'3 and 125lbs. Side note, I don't go out much anymore, but when I to a wedding or something were there is dancing I have a hard time dancing through a whole song because of my knees...I have not had any previous injuries or anything like that before with my knees. I played softball growing up, ran track (for 1 year) and was a cheerleader in High School (I know that was a while ago), never had any issues. Any thoughts??

kathym59

Sounds a bit like osteo arthritis. I have problems with my knees occasionally. Check it out with your doctor.

Illona88

Go to your doctor.

I used to have this with one of my knees. Turns out the muscles around my knee cap were to weak, causing too much strain on the cartillage.
I now go to physical therapy and it doesn't bother me nearly as much anymore.

ctooch99

I have "crunchy" knees from years of hockey. I found that taking Glucosimine and Chondroitin along with increasing Omega-3 supplements has helped it a lot.

I my case I avoid doing exercises that involve a lot of twisting or hyper-extension (ie leg curls). The workout you are describing sounds very much like the P90X Ab-Ripper X workout (I do this 3 x per week). When I first started my knees ached a bit too - I basically did 5 reps then a rest until I got used to it - now I can do 30-40 reps without pain (I think the supplements, weight loos and diet changes I made helped the pain a lot).

Also what may help is taking a mild anti-inflamatory (like off the shelf Ibuprofen) about an hour or 2 before your workouts. I do this before league hockey games and it helps me a lot. You should also visit the Doc and see if you have any level of arthritis or degeneration in your knees - if you do, you will probably always have some level of discomfort but the supplements, anti inflamatories and healthy lifestyle can make it manageable.

bluex232

Thanks for the responses everyone! I think I will have them checked just to make sure everything is normal with them and maybe look into some supplements. Anyone know what a Dr might do to check them?

Sounds a bit like osteo arthritis.

P.S. I don't like those words, they make me feel too OLD!! Lol jk 8-)

KarenJanine

When I started running a couple of months ago after a few years of no high impact exercise my right knee was giving me pain for a few days after each run.

I lowered the intensity/distance of my runs and made sure I waited until the pain subsided before running again to help build up my strength. Between runs I did lots of stretching and knee strengthening exercises (I Googled for these). The 'wall sit' exercise seemed most beneficial and my knees are much stronger now and are only occasionally twinging after running now..

LorinaLynn

I used to have problem knees - every joint, really, but exercise and especially strength training helped loads. My knees feel better now at 40 than they did in my 20s!

Get checked by a doctor first, of course, but if there's no medical problems, build up slow and steady, and make sure your form is right. Doing squats wrong can make your knees hurt big-time.

Swissmiss

Talk to your doctor. I have tenonitis in my left knee. I got this because of all my pregnancies and carried around kids. My doctor gave me exercises. So, maybe your doctor can find the cause and give you advice on what to do.


By the way...a lot of people have knee problems due to being very overweight. This is NOT you, which makes it even more important to have your knees checked out.

keithgi

I found these exercises to be particularly helpful. I found the Single Leg Dips really help strengthen my knees and keep me running.


http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00564

poedunk65

i hae terrible knees, had one replaced recently. I do leg presses on the machine that the seat moves up and down. Also wall squats and lunges, but do not bend more than 45' at the knee. It does sound like you may have some arthritis or meniscus isues. I would see a doctor first.

ctooch99

Thanks for the responses everyone! I think I will have them checked just to make sure everything is normal with them and maybe look into some supplements. Anyone know what a Dr might do to check them?

I think arthritis/joint degeneration can be diagnosed with plain old x-ray - I am not a doctor (nor do I play one on TV).

wellbert

Those hurt my knees a bit too. Especially the bicycle. Just one more reason I gravitated to barbell squats. Works your legs and core better than anything else. Obviates the need for tons of silly ab exercises.

speediejane

I HAVE BAD KNEES HAVE BEEN ADVISED TO BIKE 30MINS A DAY TO STRENGHEN AND WALKING -)

DoOrDoNotThereIsNoTry1

Not sure where exactly your pain is. For me, I generally get pain just below my Patella. One knee is due to ACL replacement and the other is due to wear and tear. During my rehap years back, one of the most important pieces of advice I got was anytime you are doing any squats or lunges, you need to make sure your knees do not go past your toes. When this happens, you start putting strain on your knees and the patella tendon. So definitely look at that and see if this may be causing some discomfort.
Also, before you do the exercises, make sure you stretch your calves and your feet. Pull your toes back to stretch the bottom of your foot. On days I jog and forget to do this, I notice I feel some pain in my knee because of the tightness in my arch. Lastly, rest generally does help. If the problem persists, consider taking a couple days off and maybe ride a bike or just go for a walk, low impact exercises to give your knees a break and then go back at it slowly...
Hope this helps.

cherrybomb_77

I have very little cartilage in my left knee, so I definitely know what you mean. It's frustrating to have my knee holding me back.

kathym59

Thanks for the responses everyone! I think I will have them checked just to make sure everything is normal with them and maybe look into some supplements. Anyone know what a Dr might do to check them?

Sounds a bit like osteo arthritis.

P.S. I don't like those words, they make me feel too OLD!! Lol jk 8-)

My brother is a physiotherapist, he says that 90% of people over the age of 25 have osteo arthritis of one form or another!!!

bluex232

Thanks for all the replies everyone!