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Exercising with a bad knee

TEEKO1982
TEEKO1982 Posts: 2 Member
edited November 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
Anyone recommend an exercise that not so hard on the knees.

Replies

  • KathyApplebaum
    KathyApplebaum Posts: 188 Member
    Biking, rowing, strength training, elliptical, yoga -- there's a ton of stuff. Pick a couple and try them! :)
  • Bob314159
    Bob314159 Posts: 1,178 Member
    You need a good trainer that can evaluate what "bad" means for you. I damaged my knee 15 years ago and made it worse a year ago so I could only walk downstairs one step at a time for a month. My trainer works with great caution to avoid making it worse. He will even have me change my leg position by a few inches doing leg presses to have the best effect.

    I can now do semi-squats again.
  • rosiorama
    rosiorama Posts: 300 Member
    There are a whole array of things that "bad knees" could mean. Weight training my lower body supports my knee and helps prevent another injury, but I'd get advice for your specific bad knee from someone in soorts medicine or physio. Good luck!
  • Rocknut53
    Rocknut53 Posts: 1,794 Member
    rosiorama wrote: »
    There are a whole array of things that "bad knees" could mean. Weight training my lower body supports my knee and helps prevent another injury, but I'd get advice for your specific bad knee from someone in soorts medicine or physio. Good luck!

    ^^This^^ A friend has had a couple surgeries for her "bad" knees, just recently one knee became swollen and inflamed, now she has a knee replacement scheduled in April. She was hoping it was just a tear in a ligament...her "trainer" at her athletic club was working with her to prepare for the surgery and only managed to increase the symptoms that sent her to the orthopedic doctor in the first place. Whoever you talk to, make sure their credentials are in order!
  • megemrj
    megemrj Posts: 547 Member
    I have a "bad knee" too. Had surgery 23 years ago after an auto accident to remove the crushed beyond repair ligament/tendon (can never remember which) and part of my chipped knee cap.

    After so many years, I know how to listen to my body, recognize my limitations, and am extremely reserved in changing up my weights, movements, and routines. Even with my carefulness, I still have flare-up days, thankfully not very often, where my knee swells like a grapefruit. It doesn't stop me because it doesn't hurt. It sometimes does it with no exercise. If yours hurts, you don't know why, or you feel something is not right, see a doctor for a definitive diagnosis or just a peace of mind. Don't gamble on hurting yourself even more.

    But...If your situation is similar to mine. You've "been there and done that", been diagnosed and are knoweledgeable about it, listen to your body. Find out what triggers a flare-up and modify it. I used to jog but had to change to walking at an incline on the treadmill. I still get to sweat and can adjust the incline and speed to my knee's comfort level. I have begun rowing so I don't get bored. I don't feel steady enough to do free weights when lifting, so I use the sled for squats and stick to machines for additional leg workouts.

    I find low impact is a lot friendlier on my knee. I also stretch like crazy after every workout. I am not a doctor, this is my experience, but may not be suitable for you.
  • nutmegoreo
    nutmegoreo Posts: 15,532 Member
    Swimming is probably my favorite easy-on-the-joints cardio exercise. I would also highly recommend working with a physiotherapist for your specific limitations. Once that's been determined, then a trainer. Physiotherapists are specifically trained in pathologies, personal trainers are not.
  • CrystalRenee2013
    CrystalRenee2013 Posts: 25 Member
    TEEKO1982 wrote: »
    Anyone recommend an exercise that not so hard on the knees.

    I do Leslie Sansone DVD's..She is not hardcore & I can move at my own pace plus stop when I need to..I have a bad hip,knees & ankles
  • lithezebra
    lithezebra Posts: 3,670 Member
    I used a recumbent bike while recovering from a knee injury. I was hypothetically able to swim, but in practice my knee hurt when I did anything but a flutter kick.
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