Workouts that are easy on the knees?

classycouture
classycouture Posts: 888 Member
edited December 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
I just finished the first month of Insanity, and my knees are shot (I've had bad knees for about 8 years now). I know I won't be able to do the second month because of them, so I want to move on the something else.

I'm looking for a workout DVD that would still be very intense, but maybe a little easier on the knees. Would Jillian Michaels 30DS be a good workout? I have Yoga Meltdown as well..

I really need to go back to the doctor (and I eventually will), but in the meantime, any suggestions?

Replies

  • ladykaisa
    ladykaisa Posts: 236 Member
    30DS is just as bad. My knees have been bad for 12 years, and the pain after doing the 30DS was enough for me to take my heavy duty pain killers daily.
  • roachhaley
    roachhaley Posts: 978 Member
    Go swimming. Full body workout!
  • TiffanyW1014
    TiffanyW1014 Posts: 595 Member
    I use the elliptical and I love it. After many years of volleyba;;, basketball and softball my knees are shot. Not to mention the extra weight they had to carry around. I find the bikes and ellipticals to be great!
  • LordBezoar
    LordBezoar Posts: 623 Member
    I have bad knees and have been doing Power 90 (NOT P90X). It seems to be about right for me.

    Apart from that, I have been walking. Lots and lots of walking. I started small and have been progressively adding distance and speed. Ellipticals have always killed my knees and I have found that the walking has helped a ton.
  • debloves2ride
    debloves2ride Posts: 386 Member
    I used to do that to my knees, and now I have two titanium replacements. JUST STOP - if your knees are trashed now you are doing yourself more harm than good. The best exercise would be swimming. also, yoga for stretching. But even some of the yoga can be really hard on the knees. Using the Elliptical bike is real good or any machine where there is no pounding. Do not do any running and even the treadmill is a killer. good luck - take care of those knees. The replacement surgery is worth it in the long run, but is the most painful surgery/experience I have ever had.
  • MrsLVF
    MrsLVF Posts: 787 Member
    Elliptical is easy on the knees.
    The worst thing for my knees was JM 30 day shred.
  • creature275
    creature275 Posts: 348 Member
    Go swimming. Full body workout!

    second
  • myfitnessnmhoy
    myfitnessnmhoy Posts: 2,105 Member
    There are plenty of workouts that are more gentle on the knees, but it depends on how your knees are "bad" (intolerant to impact like running, or intolerant to heavy workouts)?

    If your knees can tolerate workouts, then things like cycling (machine or actual bicycle), elliptical training, strength training, and similar workouts will build them up and probably help with the impact intolerance issues by building good supportive muscles. Walking is also pretty low-impact, as long as you have good supportive footwear, try to walk on dirt/grass/gravel instead of pavement or concrete, and stay within your capabilities.

    If you're suffering from joint issues or unable to build muscle, then I'd start working the core and upper body more intensely to build what calorie-burning muscle you can. That could be things like planks, sit-ups, weight training, and for outdoor activities things like rowboat, kayak, canoe, etc.

    Of course, if you have access to a pool, swimming is low-impact, spreads the impact across the whole body for a great all-body workout, and burns tons of calories.
  • Maude_Lewbowski
    Maude_Lewbowski Posts: 395 Member
    If you access to a high end eliptical try that out. We have some at my gym and it's great for a hard core 30 minutes of cardio with very little impact on your knees. I've figure skated, play ice hockey, ran track and played volleyball. I'm just hoping one of them doesn't blow out b/c I have no "off button".
  • mrseelmerfudd
    mrseelmerfudd Posts: 506 Member
    swimming!
  • ronadams52
    ronadams52 Posts: 176 Member
    I am sending you a message which might be a little lengthy for here.
  • classycouture
    classycouture Posts: 888 Member
    Thank you all so much for the responses!! Sadly, I do not have a gym membership or access to a pool, so a few of the suggestions aren't options for me.

    Looks like 30 DS is out of the question. I'll just take it easy for a while. Deb you are right, I definitely don't want to make things worse. I'm glad to hear your surgery went well! I've heard knee surgery is extremely painful, and if I can avoid it, I will!

    The doctor first thought I had patella femoral syndrome, and then realized after x-rays that my femurs were rotated differently in my hip sockets, thus my knee caps pointing inwards. (I was supposed to "grow" out of this...) The fallen arches don't help either.

    Nevermind this crappy weather (in New England)! I can definitely feel it in my knees when low pressure comes through, so it's a double whammy today :ohwell:

    Again, thank you all for taking the time to answer my question!
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