Online/DVD exercise program for someone with knackered knees?

[DianaPrinceRocks]

Hi,

I've had knee problems for years (I actually blame it on doing JM's 30-day shred the year I got married) and I had a relapse 2 years ago when I tried to take up C25K . I've had over a year of physio etc and been told that this is a good as they're going to get - so I don't want to risk injuring them even more.

I've read through a lot of threads here and a lot of the programs look great, especially the beachbody ones, but from what I can tell they have lots of high-impact/jumping exercises that will cause me more problems.

I've taken a look at the low impact fitnessblender videos which seem good, but I'm clueless about how to combine them and ideally I want someone to tell me exactly which exercises to do every day to become a bikini wearing goddess in about 6 months .

I guess my title might cover it but can anyone please recommend a DVD or Online exercise program for someone with wrecked knees?

I have osteoarthritis in my knees so I feel your pain. Decent running shoes, running on grass where possible, figuring out what I can do, rather than thinking about what I can't.

An example is that I can do a squat if I take my time, but not a lunge, so I swap exercises or do something different with my legs. Jillian has a horrible exercise called "prisoners" which I can't do, so I do the arm movements but lift my knee up to my chest instead, IFYKWIM?

Get advice on shoes from a running shop. Inserts might help too. I have a colleague who swears by them but I have not tried them myself.

I'm placemarking. My knees get sore too.

Jillian has a Beginner's Shred which is low impact. No jumping around at all. But I think there are still squats.

I have arthritic knees, and about 6 months ago they were very painful after I had walked a couple of miles. I spoke to my doctor and she said the best thing was to build up the muscle.

I decided to use a personal trainer at the local gym.. I explained my problem (painful knees) but I also wanted to improve other parts of my body.

We tried lunges, which I had difficulty doing, and I could hear my knees crunching. Squats were a little better, but still difficult. So, in the end we settled on step up. Starting slowly on a 12 inch box, and adding weights (kettle bells) as I got stronger, so that after a while I increased the box height, and did the same routine. In addition, he also developed a plan for me with free weights, using a bench, so they were low impact on my knees.

Result was that my knees are no longer painful. We have a session about every 6-8 weeks, and change some of the exercises, so it doesn't get boring.

I don't usually use personal trainers, but I thought it was money well spent.

Thanks everyone - you have given me lots to think about.

I've been dithering about going the personal trainer route, only because I'm not sure I can commit to fixed times every week, but I might look into it again. PC it's brilliant that your knees aren't giving you pain any more.

I'll also do more digging into at home stuff a view to just modifying anything that gives my knees more trouble.

Thanks everyone - if I get any breakthrough I'll post an update in case it helps anyone else

Argh - that was supposed to be with a view