Knee-friendly exercises

Hi everyone,

My mother has asked me to help her out with exercising and weight loss, but she has a knee injury and is limited in the types of exercises she can do.  Things like running and walking are out of the question for now.

Does anyone have suggestions as to what types of exercises we can do together that are easy on the knee?  The only thing I've been able to think of so far is pilates.

Thanks!

Is there a pool she can use?  Walking in the pool is very low impact and shouldn't bother her knees.  Have her ask her doctor about it.  My doctor said walking in the water was the best exercise for me.

As she loses weight, it should get easier.  The doctor told me that for every 5 lbs you lose, you take 20 lbs of pressure off your knees.

Hi Sasha,

I would highly recommend an ' air-stepper '.

it is a structure frame with 2 hanging platforms that you stand on and arms levers to hold, then u swing ur legs in a walking motion and the levers for the arms swing backwards and forwards, but the genius being that the knees dont bend AT ALL, meaning no impact to knees.

I have terrible knee problems myself and it is the only gym equipment i can use without crippling myself for the rest of the week.

Good luck and hope this helps.

Swimming is first choice, cycling is next as it is not weight bearing.  Other options are Elliptical cross trainers and actually most orthopaedic drs recommend walking (even for knee replacement patients).

Thanks for the ideas! 

I have knee problems too and I do yoga which is really low impact. I think swimming and cycling are really good too.

Morninggirl5-wow  i didnt know for a fact that weight causes so much problems -i felt it but thought it was only me! Thanks for the info!

Some elliptical machines work for me. The ones with a longer stride are easier on my knee. I had arthroscopic surgery for cartilage and synovium issues. Wish her luck for me.