To wonder if this exists (exercise related)

[Skedaddled]

So since having children with a husband who works long hours I don't really have the opportunity to get out for long walks (due to 4 year old taking forever to get places) or go to the gym, and I'm trying to find some kind of exercise I can do at home regularly. However, all the exercise DVDs and YouTube workouts all seem to involve lunges and squats, and quite frankly my knees are not up to it. AIBU to think a workout that won't hurt knees is like the holy grail? Can anyone suggest anything that works for them? I don't want to end up any more wobbly!

Yoga. It will help repair your knees too.

Have you looked on fitness blender? Lots of low impact work outs on there.

Yoga sounds good too,I've never done it but enjoy pilates.

I think you will struggle to find something without squats and lunges. Could you have something you do during bits you can't do. Even if it is just jogging on the spot to keep your heart racing. Jillian Michaels DVDs (eg 30 day shred) tend to mix the squats and lunges with an arm movement so you could just do the arms (with weights) and maybe march on the spot for the its you can't do.

A lot of problems come with incorrect technique - if you are going to do anything with your knees concentrate on doing the move slowly to get your body in the correct position.

Yoga/ Pilates may be good but if you have injury issues getting to a class with a good instructer, rather than a video would be helpful. Is there any chance of getting out once a week?

I'm the same and find the best thing for me to do at home is to hula hoop. I am trying to strengthen my knees so do small sets of about 10 squats through out the day. I found doing them in front of a mirror to begin with helped me get the correct position.

Hun you will be able to do some kind of lunge or squat and work your way up.

Ooh lots of good ideas already. I should have said I struggle to get to a class due to having kids when I'm not at work. DH only off one day at weekend so would rather spend that together as a family than disappear and do my own thing. Although might look to see if any classes in town where I work- could maybe have a yoga lunch class. Hadn't heard of Fitness Blender but will look later. I have actually been doing usual DVDs like 30 day shred and missing out bits but so much hurts my knees- jumping jacks as well as squats, so jumping and bending.

I'm in exactly the same boat, and have - warily - returned to the 30 Day Shred, only this time round I'm doing very, very gentle lunges and/or swapping them with something else, like downward dog into plank and back. They're usually only one element in one set of the routine, so it's not going to ruin everything if you swap them for something else.

Or you could try something like Davina's 7 Minute Fit, which has lunges but not killer ones - although going back to Jillian after a few months of Davina has been, erm, a wake-up call...

Mcdotti- I managed squats and lunges no bother for years but just find my knees really sore now. I used to run too but really feel it on my joints if I run any distance now. I'm only 35, seems too young to give up proper exercising but don't want to damage my joints.

Have you thought about paying for a private sports physio assessment (apologies if this is not feasible financially). If the problem is wear and tear in the joint then certain exercises may be bad for your knees - they could advise on this. However, knee pain can be due to other factors such as strength of the surrounding muscles, posture etc and there may be specific exercises that could help. As you say 35 is young to be having so much difficulties with your knees.

I second what Moon says - see a sports therapist - often 'knee problems' are nothing to do with the knees

also make sure you are positioning correctly - squat by leading with your bum and pushing out then down - no knees over toes - same with lunges - watch those toes!

yy to getting your knees properly looked at. I've had knee pain for a while and also thought I couldn't do squats etc but it turns out it was down to my bad positioning. Since I've rectified that the pain goes away so long as I'm careful. Definitely worth getting a professional opinion before writing yourself off.

There's an easier 30 day shred video for beginners with modified, lower-impact moves. It might be worth paint for a couple of sessions with a personal trainer I. Your home to teach you how to do the exercises correctly. I'd also look up the Katy Says website - she writes a lot about functional fitness and good position, and building up they'd led you need to not get injured.

Have you looked into tai-chi? I do this every morning and it has not put any strain on my knees. I was even able to do it through most of my pregnancy despite SPD (until the point where I couldn't stand anymore).

Have you though of buying some weights and using those? Lots of guides on You Tube.