weak knees

j444
j444 Posts: 20 Member
edited September 24 in Fitness and Exercise
Does anyone have weak knees? I'm not overweight, it's a family trait that I inherited from my mother's side:( They are all tall, like me, and have weak knees. I can't jog because it causes aches so I started doing an incline workout on my treadmill and feel a slight twinge of a knee ache occasionally, but very bearable. Also, I usually get on the treadmill first thing in the morning when I wake up and warm up for 5 minutes, but I don't stretch until after I am done my 50 minute walk. Does this matter? Does anyone have experience with this issue? I love using my treadmill, and I especially love working out and being able to eat more calories!

Replies

  • dengarrett
    dengarrett Posts: 367
    I had the same thing happen on a treadmill. My dr told me to use a recumbant bike instead and it worked great. He said upright bikes and elleptical machines are also hard on the knees. So I do upper body exercises using WII programs (EA Sports Active) and the recumbant bike for legs. If my knee is really bad then I will sit on an exercise ball while doing upper body.
  • anjj49
    anjj49 Posts: 2
    Hi There! I did a Pain Management Course and part of the programme was physio every day. Before we did ANYTHING (and as part of pain management generally) we were taught to do stretches FIRST. Stretching was taught as an integral part of day-to-day life activities too (i.e. ironing, shopping etc). I find this helps no end. Mary PS I have had a hip replacement and one knee is on the way out! I am trying to loose weight to increase my mobility
  • steffie88
    steffie88 Posts: 13
    YES! This happens to me too and I also inherited it from my mothers side. I don't think its to do with stretching either. I always stretch before and after my workouts so it cant possibly be that. It got so bad I had to buy Glucosamine Sulphate which seems to be working so far. Maybe you could try it and see how it works out.
  • Atlantique
    Atlantique Posts: 2,484 Member
    Did you ever get a diagnosis on the cause of your 'weak knees'? Sometimes knee problems and injuries come not from some inherent malformation of the knee joint itself, but rather because there is an imbalance in muscle strength and flexibility between the quads and the hamstrings. When these muscles aren't balanced, there are irregular forces on the knee joint. Sedentary people often find that they have tight hamstrings and loose, underdeveloped quads, for example.

    It might be worth getting your knees evaluated and perhaps getting some physical therapy to see if muscle flexibility and strength imbalances are either causing or contributing to your knee problem.

    It may help if you stretch between the warm-up and the workout. You don't want to stretch 'cold' muscles. You want to have done your warm-up first. And yes, stretching again in your cooldown is great!

    *edited for spelling. MFP could really use a spellcheck!
  • j444
    j444 Posts: 20 Member
    Thanks for the suggestions, very helpful! I'm going to try the supplements first and if that doesn't work I' going to the doctor for an evaluation. The muscle imbalance sounds familiar, I definitely either over stretched or pulled my hamstring earlier this week. it started with stabbing pain later in the day after working out then tightness the last 2 days, now I feel it in my glutes. I've been staying off the treadmill for the last 3 days and miss eating my extra calories:(
  • sbwood888
    sbwood888 Posts: 953 Member
    My husband bought me a recumbent bike and it has been a lifesaver! My right knee is REALLY complaining about my weight! It does not hurt to use my recumbent bike. Try one out at the gym. :smile:
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