Exercises for those with knee problems.

TheOwlhouseDesigns wrote: »

When it is unbearable now you did to much. Just take it easy it is not a race. And when you want to lose weight you dont even have to exercise.

Weight loss starts in the kitchen. I lost my first 32 pounds without exercising the other 60 pound was while i also was walking/jogging. Of course when you want to get fit exercise is great and it helps you to lose weight.

But dont push it with the knee. It will get stronger over time.

Even for me now, there are still days that i walk or jog and after a few minutes i have to stop. But i think the next day another attempt. It doesn't happen much but still it happens.

TrainingWithTonya wrote: »

I, too, have had 3 knee surgeries. The most recent being in October of last year. As a Clinical Exercise Physiologist, I've been doing my own rehab with the approval of my surgeon. I avoid the elliptical as my stride length doesn't match up with the stride length of the machine, so if you pick an elliptical, make sure it is one that matches your stride length or has an adjustment to make it match your stride length. A lot of people with knee issues complain about the exercise bike, but what I've seen in the gym is that they don't set the seat at the proper distance and that is why it bothers the knees. When the leg is fully extended (at the bottom of the circle made by the pedals) you should have a 5 degree bend in the knee and never let it lock out. Too far or too close and you will have too much of a bend or lock out and that can cause pain, especially in an already compromised knee joint. With the 5 degree bend, however, it won't give you those issues. I also love the Arc Trainer by Cybex. It is adjustable so you can make it more like a stepper if you have no knee issues but for those of us with knee problems, we can set it to a 0 incline so it is more like a Gazelle (also good for cardio with knee issues) where the knee stays in a semi-bent position. The number one thing I've done for my knee rehab, however, is weight training. Specifically, the leg press and 30% leg extensions are my favorites. Just make sure your form is perfect on any weight training. Never let your knees go past your toes on leg presses, squats, lunges, etc. And most importantly, talk to your doctor about what your limitations are because those differ based on what kind of injury/surgery you had. My most recent one was a new treatment for athletes to grow new cartilage, which won't be fully matured for 2 years, so I am not allowed to run again until next year. But the strengthening exercises are vital now because they stimulate the blood flow that gets the nutrients into the joint to grow the new cartilage. So, check with your doctor first but I'm betting strengthening will be most important and then find the other form of cardio that you prefer.

Wiseandcurious wrote: »

I think elliptical trainers are commonly used for low-impact cardio, including after injuries? You should talk to your doctor first but it should generally be less stressful on the joints than walking. That's what I used when I had severe plantar fasciitis and I occasionally still use it when my PF flares up enough that I can't jog.