My knees are in bad shape and that prohibits me from doing high impact exercises - eg running, most sports etc.
I need to lose 25 pounds or so and was looking for an exercise that has the same sort of impact as running but has no effect on the knees.
I know swimming is great, but I never learnt to swim...I am taking lessons, but until I learn, I'm in need of something else.
Thank you
2006-12-14 16:56:31 · 6 answers · asked by john 1 in Health ➔ Diet & Fitness
Get the elliptical machine. It is low impact but burns twice as much calories as running. I have bad knees and I love mine!!
2006-12-14 16:59:06 · answer #1 · answered by Princess 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My knees are in pretty bad shape too.
I find that there are two exercises that work for me. The elliptical machine and the stationary bicycle. The elliptical (which I enjoy more) has the disadvantage of being weight bearing. Depending on your knees, especially with your extra 25 lbs, weight bearing exercise might not be a good choice for you to start with. The bicycle is almost always helpful to the knees provided you properly adjust the seat (your leg should go to near full extension at the end of the stroke), peddle at a high number of revolutions (80 or more per minute), and don't get out of the saddle on the bike.
You don't describe what is wrong with your knees but if a doctor hasn't said that exercise is okay for them you should consider seeing an orthopedist to get a diagnosis. Also, if you haven't done physical therapy yet, you should do that. A good physical therapist should be able to teach you exercises to strengthen your knees (maybe you can even run again), explain, based on your specific problems, what exercises will work best for you, and work off a few pounds while they are at it.
And to lose weight, you basically just have to eat fewer calories than the calories you burn. So, eating fewer calories, doing cardiovascular exercises such as running or cycling, lifting weights, or just increasing muscle mass (muscles burn calories around the clock) will all help you lose weight without running.
2006-12-15 01:20:30 · answer #2 · answered by Neil S 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you need to lose 25 pounds, try incorporating some resistance training and proper nutrition as well.
If you want to run, try running on grass rather than asphalt.
Eliptical machine and bikes can also lessen the impact as well.
2006-12-15 01:40:20 · answer #3 · answered by EliteFitnessExperts.com 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bicycle.
2006-12-15 01:00:36 · answer #4 · answered by jimbobob 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
read tips on some great at home exercises and more on this site
2006-12-15 00:58:39 · answer #5 · answered by Puddy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do sit up crunches and pushups
2006-12-15 01:00:37 · answer #6 · answered by BlueQuiteOcean 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋