I'm looking for an excercise routine for BEGINNERS ????

I seriously recommend Pilates. I too have bad knees and need to be careful. I bought all the Pilates DVD's years ago and it was non-stressful to my knees. It basically targets the areas that you really want to work on. When I used the DVD's (notice the past tense lol) it really did work! Now that I'm talking about it, I'll probably whip them back out! )

I don't know what kind of cable you have for your TV, but I know on mine I have an "On Demand" that has a fitness section that even has free Pilates workouts. I've found myself watching them, now I just need to work out to them. lol

Hope this information helps!

Try the Biggest Loser videos! They have modified versions of every exercise. I love it. It works up a good sweat, but I can still function the next day!

I do have a solution! I'm an aquatics aerobic instructor and water aerobics is the perfect way to slide into fitness without out pain. Try to find classes in your area and begin slowly and take it easy until you know how your body will react. Many people in our programs have gotten fit and lost tons of weight. Water provides and safe environment and at the same time wonderful resistance. I hope you can find a pool near your. Try the YMCAs or just call around to gyms in the area.

I have done water aerobics, its a great workout without the impact

Try the beginner circuit training work-out on nerdfitness.com - You can modify it however you like to make it easiest for you and you don't need any equipment! I make it a bit more challenging, since I've been exercising a while, but you can certainly lay-off a bit and work your way up. I love it

I started out a few weeks ago just walking 30 minutes at a reasonable pace (faster than just walking to the mailbox speed) and did that three times a week. Just this week I have added in two additional walking days, for a total of 5 per week. But, that was after several weeks of walking three times a week. I think starting out pretty slowly and gradually incorporating more is the best thing. Your body can take it a little better. I also have bad knees, so I can't handle running or high impact aerobics. But, just since I have started logging my food and exercise on this site (a week now, wahoo!) I have lost almost 2 lbs. It just goes to show that it pays to just get out there and move it, doesn't have to be fancy, and doesn't have to cost a thing!

That would be my advice, but there are many other great programs that I am sure others will inform you of. Just find what works for you and stick with it. Best of luck!

For weights: Try "Biggest Loser - Power Sculpt"

It was much easier than other weight lifting DVDs - I use more difficult ones, cause I found it too easy. Probably means it's very good for a beginner. Plus it's broken down into I believe 20 minute segments, letting you build up to the whole thing over time.

Record how far you got, and try to go a bit further/harder next time.


For cardio: Keep up the walking!

Try and improve a few different ways. Either -

1) Walk more often (2 days, 3 days, etc.)
2) Walk longer times (10 mins, 20 mins, etc.)
3) Walk longer distances (.25 miles, 1 mile, etc.)

Just record in a notebook what you did. And each week try and improve a bit on one category. And give yourself time

Or look into swimming - as the water relieves a lot of the pressure from your joints. Find some criteria, (1 lap, 5 laps, etc.) and just work on slow steady improvement over time.


You should be doing both weights and cardio to get the most benefit. Like switch every other day (M: Walk, Tu: weights, W:rest, Th:walk, F:weights, Sat:walk/rest, Sun:rest), or do 1 weights session for every 2 cardio sessions. (walk, walk, weights, walk, walk, weights, rest)

i love to put my mp3 on full blast and just dance around the room, when no one is home of course! pretty soon you will be working up a sweat and it is a ton of fun if you love to dance. sometimes i will make up my own moves or use jazzercise moves, i love jazzercise by the way also and it is pretty low impact but the mp3 thing is free and easy

My knees are not questionable, they are downright shot! Reconstructive surgery on both. This is the 2nd time in my life I have really worked to lose weight. I am 56. Walking has been my main exercise both times. The time before this when I lost 65 pounds (I haven't gained it all back but I needed to get busy cuz I was getting there) I also rode my exercise bike. Start slow. I walk on my breaks or I walk in the evening. I have set my profile to try to get in 15 min. of exercise a day. Most of the time I walk 15 min. twice. so it is a boost to me to be "over acheiving." If I only walk once a day, I don't beat myself up. I have had to work slowly at increasing my speed on the treadmill. Otherwise, one of my knees starts screaming at me. 2.8 to 3.0 mph for 15-17 minutes will get you 65 or so calories. At first I could only go 2.5 mph and it took about 20 minutes. I have lost every week plus I have a desk job and work 40 hours from home. Sorry this is lengthy. Just trying to help.

Walking: start with the aim of doing 120bpm. walk 5 mins out and 5 mins back. when you are comfortable add 2.5 mins in stages as you improve. When you can do 30 total mins of walking, work on increasing the bpm. Consider the C25K program when you get to walking at 130bpm.

Step aerobics: There are plenty of videos on youtube. You can do them without a step to start out with.

Pay attention to how your body feels. Adjust any work out accordingly.

Try the beginner circuit training work-out on nerdfitness.com - You can modify it however you like to make it easiest for you and you don't need any equipment! I make it a bit more challenging, since I've been exercising a while, but you can certainly lay-off a bit and work your way up. I love it

i'm going to look that one up...i've used http://www.freetrainers.com/ if the exercizes scare you, google the muscle group that excercise targets and get a different one...that's what i did to modify my program

I did it today, actually! Added in crunches, weighted shoulder press, and some dumbbell snatches to make it a more extensive workout. Three sets and my whole body was feeling it! Definitely broke a sweat. Enjoy :bigsmile:

If you have access to a gym, try a recumbent bicycle. I also have hip and back problems and 20 minutes on the elliptical made me pay in pain later. I've had no problems with pain doing 30 minutes on the bike, and my knees are fine too.

I also recommend Pilates, I do a simple abs routine and it's a help.

If you can find a Tai Chi class in your area, also highly recommended.