Cardio for crappy knees (I dream of jogging)

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  • knightreader
    knightreader Posts: 813 Member
    Spinning, cycling and swimming are all good alternatives

    this...and a cryocuff IC! itsAWESOME

    cryocuff is AWESOME!!! can't say enough about it. best thing i ever got for a surgically repaired 13 times set of knees.

    surprised spin is easy on the knees... completely intrigued by spin and want to try it. can someone elaborate on that?
  • ThatDamnRobyn
    ThatDamnRobyn Posts: 47 Member
    Investigating the swimming option, but I am a TERRIBLE swimmer. I may burn more calories from my hapless strokes, though.

    Me, too. I can stay afloat and not drown, but I don't remember how to do any real swimming strokes. But my back is hurting a lot and someone suggested just walking laps in a pool, so maybe that's an option. That would be pretty good cardio.
  • theecatt
    theecatt Posts: 31 Member
    I've had knee problems for about 15 years now. Years ago, it was pain/swelling when jogging. 1.5 years ago it got to the point of hurt too much after walking around Walmart, and I'd have to spend the rest of the day on the couch.

    I have to suggest swimming and biking.

    You say you're a crappy swimmer, but hey, it's that much more effort you're putting into it :) The nice thing is that it keeps you off the knees (push of the walls gently on turns). When I swam 10 years ago, I went from 100 yards to 3 miles in about 6 months, and got in great shape.

    1.5 years ago, I went to orthopedist as well, and was diagnosed with synovitis (inflamed synovium). They thought it might be Rheumatoid Arthritis, but doesn't appear to be. Celebrex has kept the swelling in check, but I still can't really jog.

    I can, however, bike. I went from biking 4-6 miles January 2012 to a 50 mile charity ride in September 2012. I still can't quite jog or play basketball without getting knee pain for a few days, but I can walk, hike, etc.

    Are you taking any medications for the pain/swelling? Celebrex has been a miracle worker for me.

    Good luck!
  • whitebalance
    whitebalance Posts: 1,654 Member
    I had knee pain for a while, and then I discovered Merrell Barefoot (read, minimalist) shoes. Big, big difference for me. I seldom wear any other kind now. I even wear them to fancy events with the Governor and what-not. :)

    If the problem is impact rather than motion of the joints, see if your gym has an adaptive motion trainer. It's like running, only bouncy and fun and not impactful at all. I can go for an hour on that sucker at a pace I couldn't match with running.

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