gym junkies- bung knees

[Debra Lavia]

Hi peoples!
My knees are not good and have became worse as I have gained weight, (think grating, creaking and cracking, tho no swelling) and walking tends to make them ache. A friend suggested trying a rowing machine. What do you think? Are rowing machines better for your knees than treadmills and/or cross trainers? Which are good ones? Do they cost much? I'm 107kg and need to lose weight for health reasons (as well as wanting to!)
Thanks, Debsky....

[kate_turner2000]

i think rowing machines would add impact to the knees deb. my experience with them is that they slide back as you row and your knees bend then straighten?

[shelbel]

Do you have a pool close to your house? Swimming or water aerobics be better for the knees, although its an ongoing cost.

[zeedeveelgirl]

The bike is definitely the way to go, it is no impact at all! And then the cross trainer. Rower isn't too bad, just make sure you're not pushing back too far and locking your knees out, but see how you go with it!

[Butterfly_Dawn]

Bikes are great. when i injured my knee the exercise bike got it back on track (it builds the muscles around the knee which support the joint and is low impact)

i generally have heaps of trouble with my leg joints - ankles, knees and hips - and I find lots of walking does the same thing - achey. Riding is excellent

[Ally147]

Hi there...

I think the others in this group are right, a rowing machine can actually cause aching as well (well it tends to with my sore knee)... i find that an exercise bike and cross trainer are great as the impact is taken away. If u like walking, try maybe walking on a softer surface like grass rather than tarmac as the softness of the grass will take some of the impact off your knees and minimise your pain afterwards.
If you would like to give a rowing machine a try, i would suggest a resistance level that is about 1-3 and a session lasting about 5 minutes, any more than that and you'll end up pretty sore.

Let me know how its all going

[Gordz]

my at home gym has a system between your feet with an attachment that is supposed to work the biceps, but if you turn around and sit on the floor, it's actually a rowing motion, but without knee bending obviously. I think it's a fantastic excercise and worth every effort.

[Gordz]

http://www.dailydeals.com.au/action-exe ... 15011.html


that might be of interest?

[Mogget]

Hey Deb,

with my particular knees (can't handle any kind of squat or lunge, stairs are painful) I find bike/elliptical and rowing machine all quite good