Stay fit with the Best Low-Impact Cardio for Bad Knees
Chronic knee pain, or pain after surgery, can prevent you from performing actions we all take for granted, like walking. Once the pain begins, it can also prevent you from completing the things that you need to do to improve your condition, including low impact cardio for bad knees.
The Best Cardio for Bad Knees
Common Questions About Exercises for Bad Knees
How Can I Exercise with Bad Knees?
You might be thinking to yourself, "I'm afraid of the pain or possibility of further injury if I exercise." I can empathize. Doctors, therapists, and trainers would encourage both of us to go for it anyway.
We need to keep cardio exercises simple. They also need to be low-impact. Finally, our routines should avoid sudden changes of angles or range of motion that exasperates what is causing the pain to begin with.
What's the Best Cardio for Someone with Bad Knees?
Health professionals consider cardio workouts a key to maintaining flexibility and strength in your knee and surrounding muscles. It is important, however, that your routine stays low-impact and doesn't you to move past your comfortable range of motion. The goal is to raise your heart rate without inducing further injury.
What's the Best Exercise Machine for Someone with Bad Knees?
There are a few low-impact exercise machines that you can use at home or in the gym:
Treadmills - Can take the place of walking and should absorb some of the impacts from your steps.
Elliptical machines - Are low-impact and will help work the upper body as well.
Stationary bicycles - are discussed further under the next question. They belong on this list, however.
Is Cycling Low-Impact on Knees?
Not only is cycling low-impact, but it can also help you emulate running without placing your body's weight on your knee joints. You can adjust the gears (or resistance knobs on stationary bikes) to provide a cardio exercises without straining your knee or surrounding muscles.
Cycling also offers you this range of movement and resistance without creating sudden changes in directions, something that can twist your joints and cause increased pain or further injuries.
How do I Strengthen my Legs with Bad Knees?
Trust me, taking the time for a few sessions with your physical therapist will do more than an apple a day in keeping you out of your doctor's office. If you don't have one, speak with your primary care physician, and they can help.
This will help you to discover cardio exercises that provide stretching and strengthening without agitating your existing condition and raising your heart rate. Stick with low-impact routines that focus on contracting your muscles. Avoid heavier weights and uncomfortable movements that cause your knees to hurt due to the direction they're moving.
What Exercises should I avoid with Bad Knees?
Chronic sufferers who begin to feel relief may be tempted to take on more complex cardio exercises Don't! Find a different one that produces similar results that can be done correctly. Some to avoid include:
- Deep squats
- Full-arc knee extensions
- Hurdler's stretches
- Lunges
Younger adults (I'm only 28) or those recovering from surgery can push too hard while exercising. Sudden pains or pains that are sharp or shooting are telling you to stop.
How Can I Exercise with a Sprained Ankle?
You'll want to focus on cardio exercises that you can do while sitting or lying down. Bicep curls, chest presses, dumbbell rows, and seated trunk rotations are all appropriate until your doctor approves you to make use of your ankle again.
Exercise Types
Yoga and Pilates
Pilates is low-impact in nature and can be a good selection if you suffer from knee pain. Building your core can help with keeping pressure off of joints along with keeping things in alignment.
Yoga is a great way for improving your range of motion. That includes in the ankle and hip joints that are above or below your knee.
These can offer you an excellent aerobic workout without adding too much stress to your knee joints. Upright bikes are great for providing more range during the exercise, as well as helping to work a bit of your core. Recumbent exercise bikes might be a suggestion for older users looking for low-impact cardio.
This type of machine does a good job of simulating jogging or running. It is low-impact, and won't stress your knee pain while maintaining a solid aerobic routine. They also let you work your upper body as well.
This device will assist you in maintaining bone density as well as flexibility. The nice thing is, many manufacturers include special features that will reduce stress of your knee pain while working out.
They are associated with cardio workouts and exercise both the upper and lower body to burn calories. However, they can be problematic for users with bad knees caused by non-muscular issues such as arthritis.
Home Cardio Workouts for Knee Pain
Warm Up
To prevent further pain or injury, it is important that you warm up before you start your workout. This should include:
Low-Impact Jumping Jacks
Traditional jumping jacks can cause pain for those suffering from joint problems. Some alternatives are less stressful on your knees, including the low-impact version that follows.
Half-jack
This uses half of the motion of standard jumping jack while it helps to eliminate the joint stress generated during the active phase.
March with an Exercise Ball
Overhead Backsteps with Exercise Ball
Med-ball Knee Lifts
Use a med ball that weighs four to eight pounds for variance in your routine.
Med-ball Straight Kicks
Band Side Knee and Kick
Conclusion
Using proper exercises when doing low impact cardio for bad knees can improve your mobility and might reduce your pain levels. If you are looking for some equipment to assist in your goals, don't forget to review my list of the best exercise machines for bad knees and the best low-impact exercise equipment for home.
All content and media on HomeFitnesslife.com is created and published online for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice.
