HELP! Exercises that are easy on the knees?

[Legend]

I need some help, and advice.

I’ve noticed as I’ve taken up an exercise regimen again that my knees have been quite sore and painful. To exercise my legs, I’ve been reduced to just walking (where I was doing more high-impact routines before). And now I can only do about 30 minutes, and not the 60 minutes I was able to do.

After someone mentioned MSM and a reduction in their joint aches, I started taking MSM (about 5000 mg per day) about a month ago, but my knees are still painful. I may change brands or up the dosage. I’ve also increased my fluid intake. Does any one have any recommendations to combat painful and stiff knees? I have a feeling this is so because I switched to a fairly sedentary job, and sitting for too long has always bothered my knees, neck, and back.

The second part of this is does anyone know of any low-impact exercises that are easy on the knees? I’ve been considering purchasing a rebounder or elliptical machine (I already own a tredmill and cross-country ski machine, but find them too jarring). Does anyone have any reviews/recommendations? I've definitely hit a brick wall and am feeling very discouraged with my progress.

I appreciate any advice/comments! :) :) :)

[belladionne922]

Are you taking your MSM in pill or powder/flake form? Are you also taking Vitamin C along with your MSM? Also, are you getting enough water? And lastly, have you thought about smimming or water aerobics until you get more in shape so that you temporarily takke the pressure off of you knees? I've also heard that Glucosamine is supposed to be good for your joints.

[sky_blu]

Try using the elliptical thats the only one I can think of.

[JaneiR36]

I own a rebounder. From reviews of mini-trampolins in general, it seems that the cheap ones are the ones that have the jarring impact on the knees. The Urban rebounder has been kind to my knees so far, although I never did have knee problems.

It's good that you're listening to your body and finding alternative exercises. I heard a troubling statistic that joint replacement surgeries and the likes are becoming more common among younger and younger people. Exercise is good, but sometimes if we overdo it or we're not careful enough, we suffer serious injuries, and what good is that, especially when it stops you from exercising altogether? Just my opinion.

[Legend]

Are you taking your MSM in pill or powder/flake form? Are you also taking Vitamin C along with your MSM? Also, are you getting enough water? And lastly, have you thought about smimming or water aerobics until you get more in shape so that you temporarily takke the pressure off of you knees? I've also heard that Glucosamine is supposed to be good for your joints.

Thanks for responding!!:)

I take the pill form (a caplet filled with powder) with a glass of orange or grapefruit juice. I also take a multi-vitamin with 600% of the daily RDA of Vit. C. Do you think I should switch to a powder? I did some research and it seems the powder form may be more potent. I haven't experienced any detox side-effects at all, so I wonder if the either amount or brand I'm taking is effective. Would you recommend any brands? I may look into purchasing Glucosamine to see how it goes.

I drink 8 glasses of water in addition to other beverages most days (about 96-128 oz. total). My bladder is not happy about it, but I'm trying to hang in there! :lol:

As for the water aerobics, the only time I can get to a pool are weekends, but I love to swim. Thank you for the suggestion!!! The only problems are the YWCAs in my area are not thar great, and the MDC pools are scary. That's city life for you! If I can't find a private gym with a decent indoor pool (that doesn’t cost a fortune), maybe with the weather warming, I can pay a few extra visits to my aunt & uncle with the pool in the suburbs. ;) Hopefully, by the end of the summer, my knees will be stronger.

Thanks again!

[Legend]

Try using the elliptical thats the only one I can think of.

Thank you! I think I'll take a trip to Sears to try a few models. I tried one out a while back, and it was hard for me to get into. But, with my knees feeling the way they are, I think I should try again!

[Legend]

I own a rebounder. From reviews of mini-trampolins in general, it seems that the cheap ones are the ones that have the jarring impact on the knees. The Urban rebounder has been kind to my knees so far, although I never did have knee problems.

It's good that you're listening to your body and finding alternative exercises. I heard a troubling statistic that joint replacement surgeries and the likes are becoming more common among younger and younger people. Exercise is good, but sometimes if we overdo it or we're not careful enough, we suffer serious injuries, and what good is that, especially when it stops you from exercising altogether? Just my opinion.

Thanks for the recommendation and in info.! It's pretty scary thinking that I may need surgery if I don’t do something quick to get my body stronger!!!

I've heard some good things about the Urban rebounder. When I go to Sears, maybe I'll see if they have some models to test. Or, I will go to a sporting goods/fitness store to check them out. I never understood how bouncing on a trampoline is easy on the knees, but I'm willing to try anything now, especially in the face of those statistics!!! :eek:

[Joyful1]

Have you considered pilates or working out with one of those exercise balls?

[Legend]

Have you considered pilates or working out with one of those exercise balls?

Well, I already do pilates, but only twice a week because I find I lose weight more quickly with aerobic exercise. Pilates is excellent for toning!! :up: Maybe I should do it more often until I get my kness in shape. Food for thought. Thanks!

I can honestly say I'm a bit leary about exercise balls. Please don't laugh (but it's okay if you do:D ) but I have this "Thing" about things that may possibly roll from beneath me. I don't rollerskate, roller blade, or ski because of this not-quite-phobia. :perplexed I still hold on for dear-life at times on the tredmill :eek: :lol: I really need to get over it!

[sunnyjohn]

Make sure you have a decent pair of workout shoes. If you have flat feet you may overpronate and cause pain in you knees, feet and shins. If you may underpronate and have the same problem.

Tennis shoes may look new, but after a few months the structure breaks down and they provied little support.

Check out these links

http://www.tutorials.com/05/0519/05192.asp

http://sportsmedicine.about.com/cs/beforeyoubuy/a/aabyb_shoes.htm

[belladionne922]

Thanks for responding!!:)

I take the pill form (a caplet filled with powder) with a glass of orange or grapefruit juice. I also take a multi-vitamin with 600% of the daily RDA of Vit. C. Do you think I should switch to a powder? I did some research and it seems the powder form may be more potent. I haven't experienced any detox side-effects at all, so I wonder if either the amount or brand I'm taking is effective. Would you recommend any brands? I may look into purchasing Glucosamine to see how it goes.

I drink 8 glasses of water in addition to other beverages most days (about 96-128 oz. total). My bladder is not happy about it, but I'm trying to hang in there! :lol:

As for the water aerobics, the only time I can get to a pool are weekends, but I love to swim. Thank you for the suggestion!!! The only problems are the YWCAs in my area are not that great, and the MDC pools are scary. That's city life for you! If I can't find a private gym with a decent indoor pool (that doesn’t cost a fortune), maybe with the weather warming, I can pay a few extra visits to my aunt & uncle with the pool in the suburbs. ;) Hopefully, by the end of the summer, my knees will be stronger.

Thanks again!
You might want to do a search for the MSM threads on the board and see what you can find. I'm not an expert by any means, and I would hate to give you bad info. I am using the MSM in powder form that I purchased from msm-msm.com; you might want to check them out and see what you think...

Have you tried looking into the YMCA in your area? Maybe they have better facilities than your local YWCA?

My niece had knee surgery a little over a year ago after tearing her ACL in a basketball game, and the doctors and trainers advised her to do what she could to get the surrounding muscles stronger...mainly the thigh muscles and calves. That seems to be helping her take the pressure off of her knees. I think she's also been doing a lot of resistance training.

Don't be afraid of the exercise balls! They're great! And they help you with so much!

I've also PM'd you with some links about knee pain and some exercises you can do. Feel free to post what helps you so others can benefit.

[Legend]

Make sure you have a decent pair of workout shoes. If you have flat feet you may overpronate and cause pain in you knees, feet and shins. If you may underpronate and have the same problem.

Tennis shoes may look new, but after a few months the structure breaks down and they provied little support.

Check out these links

http://www.tutorials.com/05/0519/05192.asp

http://sportsmedicine.about.com/cs/beforeyoubuy/a/aabyb_shoes.htm

Thank you! I'm definately going look into getting some new sneakers. I guess my New Balances are a bit worn out!


You might want to do a search for the MSM threads on the board and see what you can find. I'm not an expert by any means, and I would hate to give you bad info. I am using the MSM in powder form that I purchased from msm-msm.com; you might want to check them out and see what you think...

Have you tried looking into the YMCA in your area? Maybe they have better facilities than your local YWCA?

My niece had knee surgery a little over a year ago after tearing her ACL in a basketball game, and the doctors and trainers advised her to do what she could to get the surrounding muscles stronger...mainly the thigh muscles and calves. That seems to be helping her take the pressure off of her knees. I think she's also been doing a lot of resistance training.

Don't be afraid of the exercise balls! They're great! And they help you with so much!

I've also PM'd you with some links about knee pain and some exercises you can do. Feel free to post what helps you so others can benefit.

Thanks! I'll look into the MSM.

As for the YMCA, all the local ones are over-run with kids and teens!!!! :eek: They are really big in children's programming because I live in an urban area. The YWCA's have a more mature crowd, but worse facilities. What I will do is check out if they give adult-only water exercise programs on weekends.

Those exercise balls...I just don't know. There was one sitting right next to me in my office at work. I was just looking at it today after the post from Joyful1. I locked the door and almost tried it. Almost. I totally chickened out! :lachen: Maybe I'll give it another shot tomorrow.:covereyes

I will definately post what was helpful. Your PM was on point!

[JaneiR36]

Thanks for the recommendation and in info.! It's pretty scary thinking that I may need surgery if I don’t do something quick to get my body stronger!!!

I've heard some good things about the Urban rebounder. When I go to Sears, maybe I'll see if they have some models to test. Or, I will go to a sporting goods/fitness store to check them out. I never understood how bouncing on a trampoline is easy on the knees, but I'm willing to try anything now, especially in the face of those statistics!!! :eek:

This is a good point, especially when you're already having problems with your knees. Maybe you can preview one of the classes in a fitness center featuring the urban rebounder before you decide what to do. I'm not sure they'd have it in stores, but they just might.

[DDTexlaxed]

I had a problem w knee pain. I started to take MSM w glucosamine and chrondrotin. (sp?) Anyhow I started w a light eexercise to strenthen my knee. Body flex, callanetics, and Life Lift helped me. It was mostly breathing exercises and small muscle isolation moves. HTH Sorry if this wasn't more helpful.

[Deluxe]

The absolute best sports/or excercise for people with knee injuries or problems are swimming and cycling. I am a cyclists, and I love it. I ride 1-2 hours four times a week since its the season. You can do it indoors on a stationary bike or outdoors like myself on the street like myself. Good luck finding a workout routine.

[Opal1821]

Thank you! I'm definately going look into getting some new sneakers. I guess my New Balances are a bit worn out!




Thanks! I'll look into the MSM.

As for the YMCA, all the local ones are over-run with kids and teens!!!! :eek: They are really big in children's programming because I live in an urban area. The YWCA's have a more mature crowd, but worse facilities. What I will do is check out if they give adult-only water exercise programs on weekends.

Those exercise balls...I just don't know. There was one sitting right next to me in my office at work. I was just looking at it today after the post from Joyful1. I locked the door and almost tried it. Almost. I totally chickened out! :lachen: Maybe I'll give it another shot tomorrow.:covereyes

I will definately post what was helpful. Your PM was on point!
Do you know the cause of your knee pain?

[Legend]

Okay, Ladies!

After extensive trials and research, I decided on a couple of things:

1.) I purchased a Gazelle that will hopefully arrive next week. In the meantime, I've taken up the old belly dancing with Veena & Neena! Excellent for toning and very fun, BTW. :grin: After reading about 1,000 reviews and trying the Gazelle out, I was still a bit hesitant, but ultimately decided to invest in the Power Plus model, which seems a bit studier than the less expensive ones. I just hope I don’t have the problems with assembly and customer service many of the reviewers had; however, most did agree it was a good piece of equipment.

The rebounder? I could not order one. Maybe when I lose some weight. But, man!, I tried that thing and was terrified I was going to fall off or through the thing! :trampolin :eek: :covereyes :nono:

2.) I decided to switch to powdered MSM. I just don't thing the capsules were doing me any good. I'm still debating on a formula specifically for joints because I think most of my knee pain is caused by weigh gain, rather than joint aliment. But. I'll stick with the MSM anyway. If the powdered form is not improvement, I think I'll ditch it.

I will post updates once I get into my new Gazelle routine. Meanwhile, my back decided to start acting up.:mad: *sigh* If it’s not one thing….

I think I will go up for the alter-call this Sunday for a healing prayer.:yep:

[Country gal]

Water aerobics would be good.

[nurseN98]

There is an Glucosamine/MSM complex I use because I have weak knees too. It is made by Nutrition Warehouse brand. They sell this brand in Vitamin World stores. I've tried other brands but nothing compares to this. Even if I don't take it for a few days I feel the difference. I work out 4-5 times a week and these are a Godsend. The ingredients are:

Vitamin C=60mg
Manganese=5mg
Glucosamine sulfate=1500mg
MSM=1000mg
Ginger extract=100mg
White Willow=10mg

[melodee]

The water aerobics idea is a good one. My mom, who has problems with her joints, finds it's perfect. The resistance is very good, but without the impact.

She goes to the Y. There are classes for adults, that teens dare not do. Although alot of the adults are more mature. I've taken a class with my mom, and I was the youngest by a longshot.

Do you have any health clubs with a pool? Most of these offer water aerobics classes.