Cardio workout with injured knee

[wladdy]

Hi,

I gained 80lbs over five years and, as a result of the excess weight, my right knee hurts. In fact, I must have been compensating by shifting my entire weight on the left side, because my right quad appears to much weaker than the left one. I am valid, mobile and I don't feel pain when I walk, but I know that I must be careful with my knees, especially the right one.

I am now ready to get back into shape, but I am not how to handle the cardio part. Running is obviously out of the question and cycling would be too hard to start with as I live in a very hilly area. I've tried steppers and elliptical machines but I usually experience a few hours afterwards acute pain in my right knee. I suppose that the best solution would be swimming, only I won't have access to a pool for the next few weeks.

Does anyone know a good cardio workout with no impact (ie: easy on the knees)? I know that more options will probably become available for me as I lose weight, I find it harder to diet if I don't do some cardio exercise.

Also I would appreciate any tips to stregthen my right quad without any equipment. I am planning to do static leg extensions when I return to a area with gyms, but for the moment I have nothing.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance,

W.

 

[matt182]

I would get a proper conditioning programme first otherwise youll just be aggravating your current problem. Those bands you can buy would be handy for your leg muscles..

 

[zib]

Knee Injury

I'm no stranger to Knee Surgery. I've had 5 knee scopes on my left knee. The next step for me would be total knee replacement, but I'm not going without a fight. I'm an avid bodybuilder. 44 yrs old. I'm about 190lbs, 5'7" maybe 7% bodyfat.

You really should try to get your diet in check first. 5 or 6 small meals, high protein, mod carbs, low fat. You know the deal. Weight will come off, lessing the load on your knee.

If you can bend your knee, try standing on it alone, holding the other leg up. Keeping all your weight on the leg you want to work, and doing deep knee bends. You can isolate just your one leg and work your quads. You can add weight by holding something heavy. Building up your quads on the injured leg will help greatly. As far as low impact cardio, Yes, swimming would be a good choice, next would be your elips, bikes, and stair climbers.

Walking is good too if you can. I find as long as my diet is in check and I lift 3 to 4 days a week, I don't need to do any cardio as far as fat is concerned.
The muscle burns fat like crazy. If I mess around and eat a lot of junk, I need cardio. Good Luck to you. Don't give up and try to stay motivated.