Exercises for Bad Knees
Weak and painful knees can be the result of injury, over-stress or simply genetics, but the aching truth is that bad knees can seriously limit your workouts. Knee replacement surgery is not recommended except in absolutely vital situations and the cost is prohibitive to the average exerciser, and many people eventually give up on ever being able to carry on a normal fitness program. There is good news, though: think outside the box of normal exercise and there are still plenty of options that don’t place as much stress on the knee joint. You may not be able to run a marathon but you can still build a healthy body without totally ruining your knees.
Yoga is an excellent option for achy knees. The activity has gained in popularity since the 1990’s, not simply because it can be very relaxing but because it builds strength without putting the body under duress. Even professional sports players now incorporate yoga practice into everyday fitness because of the benefits for both mind and body. Most yoga studios will offer classes that are as low-stress as possible, so call around and talk to some of the staff to find out. Explain that you are looking specifically to avoid strain on the knees – qualified yoga practitioners will be able to tell you if their studio will meet your needs. You can almost always observe a class for free and typically you will be allowed to take one free session, so make the most of this consumer advantage to identify if this is an exercise and class that you enjoy.
You may not have a local yoga studio or simply have no interest in taking outside classes – no problem! The teacher will simply come to you. There are literally hundreds of yoga videos on the market today, many of them specifically designed with bad knees in mind, so all you have to do is find the video that suits you best. Do an internet search for specific videos and read reviews from other users. If you order through a catalog, you frequently are allowed a grace period in which to try the video out and return it if it is unsuitable. Once you have found a video that fits your lifestyle and appeals to you, watch the video several times to learn the rhythm of the instructor and become comfortable with the pace of the movements. Learning the poses ahead of time makes your practice with the video much easier. Once you’ve got the hang of your yoga video, practice with it three times during the week to begin with and then as your strength increases, practice more until you have a daily routine built up. Yoga is a very gentle exercise but you will be amazed at the changes you see in your body within the first two or three weeks.
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