Excercise with bad knees

[littledetails]

My baby is now 5 weeks old and I an eager to start excerising.

I have lost 1st 3lb in the last 3 weeks and really want to excercise but the trouble is I have really bad knees. I am waiting to see a knee specialist as its now really bad. If I kneel and change my baby on the floor I can only just stand up and cant do the stair for at least 2 hrs. I know the weight I am carrying isnt helping but thats one of the reasons I want to diet and exercise.

So can any one suggest any good excercises that dont impact too much on the knees, as I dont always feel the pain immediately but I really know about it soon after?

hi littledetails! i can totally empathise as i also have bad knees. i'm still yet to find an exercise that i can do a lot of. walking is ok for a bit, but only if on flat ground. i try and walk quickly when out with pushchair but still feel the effects after a long walk especially if it's on concrete. then the other thing is swimming. can only do front crawl or backstroke though a breast stroke kills!

used to do a lot of pilates type exercise which is fab for core strength, not sure how effective for weight loss though.

sorry this isnt very helpful, hope you find something and you get your pain sorted

swimming - front crawl, backstroke - breaststroke can irritate bad knees.

the best exercise you can do for your knees is to build up the muscles that support the joint through strength training, in addition to non-impact aerobics like swimming and water aerobics.

i'd ask for a referral to a physio, or if you've got the means, a personal trainer who can help you focus on the muscles that support the joint - quads, hamstrings and core stability.

Thanks for the suggestions, I would love to try swimming but im too embarrased as Im not a pretty sight. I know I shouldnt let this bother me but i could always see if theres a womens only session at my local baths.

The doctor referred me last week so guess I will have to wait months to bee seen on the NHS.

Anyone know anything about toning tables?

i've not heard of toning tables.

i did use e-stim to help some of the smaller muscles in my lower quad when i was recovering from each of 4 knee surgeries, but this was combined with a lot of hard work on my part to rebuild my quads and hamstrings - in my case, i had muscle atrophy from injury and surgery and patellar tendonitis from lack of muscle tone.

Gosh that sounds painful!

I really recommend bikram yoga if they have it in your area. As it's in a hot room it helps the muscles relax and bend and it's very very low impact.

I do, too, Xenia.

I practiced Bikram from 1995 until I moved here - it's not in Scotland, unfortunately.

And it was a huge help with all my joint problems.

As hard as you make it, too, it caters to all fitness levels.

Tell me more about Bikram Yoga!

Since dislocating my knee I can no longer run (running was my way of keeping fit) & although dh has bought me a cross trainer and an exercise bike they are yawn-makingly dull.

Ive just checked and aparently its coming to my area soon, so will keep looking.

Bikram yoga is a series of 26 Hatha Yoga poses performed in a very heated ashram.

Each pose is performed twice, the first time it is held for an entire minute; the second time for half a minute.

NO music.

Just you focusing on your pose, with emphasis on form and breathing.

There's usually a water break before you go into floor poses, but come prepared to sweat!

I'd recommend a small hand towel AND a large towel to put on your matt.

And you need at least a litre of water.

Each class lasts an hour and a half.

Some instructors who were originally certified by Birkram, who has been residing in California for some time, have branched out and now do the class to music, but they call it 'hotbox' yoga.

Real Birkram yoga has no music.

The first class will leave you feeling like a wilted leaf. You may even hate it, especially the next day.

Give it another try!

You'll be hooked, trust me

Right, off to find out whether Bikram yoga exists in back-of-beyond. Not often I wish I was back in London.

Good luck Heated im in Birmingham and it hasnt reached us here!