painful knees

Go get your knees checked! Stop doing exercises that hurt...if you have a problem you may be exacerbating it.

Just speaking from personal experience. Better safe than sorry.

Don't mess with your knees. I'm working with a physiotherapist to save mine. It turns out I have a weak core and stiff hips; both which have to be corrected to protect the knees. I have some custom stretches to do every morning. And I must have a full rest day between runs.

http://tonygentilcore.com/2011/05/training-the-obese-or-overweight-client/

fitness blender have a good range of low impact work outs that might help you. http://www.fitnessblender.com/videos/low-impact-cardio-workout-for-beginners

and this

jgnatca wrote: »

Don't mess with your knees. I'm working with a physiotherapist to save mine. It turns out I have a weak core and stiff hips; both which have to be corrected to protect the knees. I have some custom stretches to do every morning. And I must have a full rest day between runs.

http://tonygentilcore.com/2011/05/training-the-obese-or-overweight-client/

and this

nossmf wrote: »

Properly warming up your knees is sometimes all it takes. If I dive right into heavy squats on my leg days, I feel it. But if I do multiple sets with VERY light weight, combined with isolation exercises like leg extensions, my knees work themselves out and I am fine.

Knee sleeves plus proper warming up helps me a lot!

LadyGrey75 wrote: »

Thanks all but looking at the links my problem is not that because the pain is at the top front muscle of the knee and the pains stops when I stop and I don't run...never have....doing exercise for the first time in my life. I have felt the infamous "burn" in other parts of my body doing other exercise types but it is not feeling the same...it hurts....

Do you mean like right above your kneecap? At the very very bottom of your quad? That is *exactly* where I experience IT band pain from the elliptical. And yes, I wound up my IT bands so tight from just the elliptical that I spent about three months in physical therapy.

If it's on the knee itself, maybe runner's knee/patellofemoral syndrome? That's usually more *under* the kneecap, though.

ETA: One way or the other, you can get your answer from a doctor or PT. Might help you get back to the exercise you enjoy faster.

See this is the problem with trying to go on the cheap and get a diagnosis and treatment from untrained (mostly) folks who can't actually examine you. Knee pain can be related to a number of things including (but not limited to) over-pronation and improper footwear. Spend some money and get evaluated properly.

jgnatca wrote: »

Don't mess with your knees. I'm working with a physiotherapist to save mine. It turns out I have a weak core and stiff hips; both which have to be corrected to protect the knees. I have some custom stretches to do every morning. And I must have a full rest day between runs.

http://tonygentilcore.com/2011/05/training-the-obese-or-overweight-client/

This is a common issue for those with knee pain and is one cause for non-contact ACL injuries and ankle sprains. Make sure you do some work to strengthen your core muscles; it doesn't have to be a ton but a little. Make sure you do things to improve your hip, hamstring, and ankle mobility. ALSO, make sure you do exercises that work your lower back, glutes, and hamstrings; it's not uncommon for most people (especially women) to have underdeveloped hammies. Remember that the quads only manage knee extension and it's the hamstrings that mange knee flexion, so both need to be trained.

LadyGrey75 wrote: »

maxit wrote: »

See this is the problem with trying to go on the cheap and get a diagnosis and treatment from untrained (mostly) folks who can't actually examine you. Knee pain can be related to a number of things including (but not limited to) over-pronation and improper footwear. Spend some money and get evaluated properly.

I wasn't necessarily looking for a "diagnosis" so much as some insight on things I could do to strengthen the area without hurting myself. I thought that was part of the point for this site was to get feedback from other people that may be or have been in a similiar situations. I know diddly about exercise and I am trying to learn but it really makes me not want to ask anything on here because someone always wants to come at me with negativity. I am cheap when it comes to spending money because I do not have it to spend.

Very common issues are the over-foot pronation and internal hip rotation which can cause the knee to move improperly. Things to consider...

1. Flexibility work. hips, hamstrings, lower back, calves
2. Under-developed hamstrings, glutes, calves, Core muscles (Google: Lumbo-Pelvic Hip Complex)

Since you're tight on funds, see if you can YouTube the NASM Overhead Squat and Single Leg Squat assessments. Those are two commonly used methods to assess one's development needs.

Shoes could be an issue but it's more likely something to do with your movement.

I have arthritis in my knees so its tough for me not to push too hard. I think it is just finding your limits. I wear a brace to the gym too and when doing cardio I stick to the elliptical which is better for joint pains.
Definitely see a doctor to find out what it is ...

I have weak knees but I found that mine are much better since I've built up the rest of my leg muscles, which took the pressure off them. Even riding a bike originally hurt them. I started doing leg exercises with very light weights and slowly built them up, trying to use every muscle group in them. I had a personal trainer show me what to do as correct form is vitally important when there's a weakness there. If you can find one with experience in this area it would really benefit you even if it's only for a short while.

I found that glucosamine supplements helped me a lot and long leggings or joggers to make sure the knees are always warm, as then they can move better.

My knees are bad. I just had surgery number 4 in December. Yoga has helped. I was really surprised when my PT suggested it but it has helped strengthen the surrounding muscles which makes my knee more stable. I've only been doing it for 36 days but I already see a HUGE difference. I do have to skip some of the poses though.