bad knees?

[Alli in StL 23]

I'm at the start of my journey. I want to start exercising, but what's the best cardio for bad knees? I know swimming is good, but it's not an option for me at this time.

Thanks!

[lovepups 0]

Hey Alli, I, too, have terrible knees (arthritis), and for aerobic exercise, I try the recumbent bike. I like pilates, but it doesn't get you hot and

sweaty. Good luck.

[justmermp 6]

I'm at the start of my journey. I want to start exercising, but what's the best cardio for bad knees? I know swimming is good, but it's not an option for me at this time.

Thanks!

I have a really bad knee and my doctor suggested it so I got one and it's been great.

[Rachel412 116]

I agree that the bike is the kindest exercise for my knees. I also like the elliptical since it's not high impact, but...

[vickyd 24]

I agree with the bike suggestion. I had surgery on one of my knees about 6 months before being banded and the only exercise I was able to do was the bike. I just kept increasing my time/level on the bike as I got stronger. About 6 months after surgery I had lost enough weight that my knees were no longer killing me and at that point I started doing Zumba (I kept it low impact - no jumping at all) and the elliptical.

[honk 780]

I used to really enjoy the reclining bike but it is now a bad angle for my knee. Personally I really like the elliptical; though I know some people have trouble with the motion. My gym also has a couple other machines that are eliptical like; but I get really nauseous when I use them.

[amercer 0]

Does anybody hate the bike for their knees? It gives me hell and I am looking into getting banded and I could also use suggestions on what works forthose with horrible knees

[JJLESLIE 0]

Does anybody hate the bike for their knees? It gives me hell and I am looking into getting banded and I could also use suggestions on what works forthose with horrible knees

I am not a fan of the general exercise bikes for everyday cardio because it does create havoc on my knees, and for certain people. Bike setup is really important, and most exercise bikes don't allow the type of adjustments (ie pushing the seat BACK as well as up).

I find the Elliptical better for knee problems, but, actually, it bores the heck of of me.

I am a fan of spinning classes PROVIDED that the instructor is well versed in getting the bike set up correctly. Those bikes can be adjusted in many more ways (at least, if they are relatively up-to-date). Also, it's a much more fun cardio experience.

Side note:

This is going to sound crazy, but I am actually in the middle of a study on getting people with bad knees to use, of all exercises, THE SQUAT with a barbell. Coached for correct technique, and given a lot of patience with the exercise, it actually does NOT tax the knees as much as you think, and the increase in muscle tone, strength, flexibility, and durability from the exercise in the legs and core are amazing. I did not expect that, and everyone involved is people with bad knees. Most injuries from the Squat are from bad technique, and too much weight too fast.

When I started the study back in January 2011 (10 months ago), and my exercise program revolves around that exercise. When I started I could barely even squat to parallel with my own body weight, but with coaching, good technique, and consistent work it's improved my entire ability to move (and weight loss, and conditioning)... I can now balance on a surfboard in a moving wave. I have full feeling in my feet, and my once sore knees are mobile and much less painful. The cartilage and bone structure is still a bit of a mess but it's no longer getting worse. I do repeated reps, with actual weight, now. How much is not important.

[Lisa75 3]

I have had surgery on one knee (major) and have arthritis in both with dislocating knees. I have a excercise bike and also a bike i go out and ride that i got this summer, it helps. i also do walk away the pounds and do what i can do.

[SageTracey 608]

I have arthritic knees and found cycling was the best exercise for me.

On an encouraging note, can I just say that as the weight comes off, my knees have improved out of sight! This weekend I went dancing on both Friday and Saturday nights (rock and roll), dug the vegie garden, went bike riding, took a long walk, and wandered through a hilly garden at an open day. And this morning (Monday), I went for a 30 minute swim before work. Previously one night of dancing would have left me hobbling in extreme pain for the rest of the weekend - not anymore!

There is light at the end of the tunnel for bad knees.

[Kaye21 46]

Another great option is Chair Aerobics. I have bad knees and that's what I've been using and I think it's really fun. I know they have Sit and be Fit series but I really like the Chair Dancing series. You can check it out http://www.collagevideo.com/searchresults.aspx?type=all&search=chair+dancing

[xavier 153]

I think walking at an easy pace is good. I had pretty bad knee and low back pain due to arthritis and now I have no knee pain at all (yay!) but my back is still the same...weird, huh? Anyway I walk my dog whether my back hurts or not and it doesnt seem to make any difference.

[Sandra Davis 0]

Actually swimming and aerobic Water exercise are the best for hurt knees.

Other cardio exercises like walking, running, jogging all exert great impact on your knees, which is going to cause more injuries to you.Since you say can't access to a pool, the nearest alternative is for you to do gentle pedaling on an exercise bike or slow biking in the open air.

This exercise cushions a great deal of the impact on your butts, hence less on your knees.

Hope this will help you!!

[S Russell 0]

It was told by my orthopedist that stationary bike will assist you to build muscle for the knees. I am a candidate for replacement surgery if the weight doesn't come off. I have trouble walking every day, and I feel better when I do my cardio on the stationary bike. After a while working out on that you can start with 5 mins on the elliptical until you can build yourself up to whatever time you choose. The elliptical works all and is great for cardio.

[calichick 0]

hey i would say the bike. I know how bad knees go...Good luck

I'm at the start of my journey. I want to start exercising, but what's the best cardio for bad knees? I know swimming is good, but it's not an option for me at this time.

Thanks!