Print this page
View the original article at: http://www.origin.shape.com/weight_loss/weight_loss_diary/my_achy_breaky_knees
My achy, breaky knees
January 27, 2009
I’ve had a problem sticking with exercise in the past because my knees hurt when I work out. After checking with my doctor, who determined I have nothing actually wrong with them, I talked to my trainer, Lauren Kern from Equinox. She explained that losing weight and strengthening my legs would ease my pain. She also offered these suggestions:
1. Do strength-training exercises like squats that target the muscles around my knees to help reduce the pressure on them.
2. Modify moves. For example, do lunges up onto a step instead of on a flat surface to get the same benefits as a regular lunge without straining my knees.
3. Do low-impact cardio that still gets my heart-rate up, like walking on a treadmill at an incline.
4. Ice my knees for 10 minutes immediately after working out to minimize inflammation and pain.
I’ve had a problem sticking with exercise in the past because my knees hurt when I work out. After checking with my doctor, who determined I have nothing actually wrong with them, I talked to my trainer, Lauren Kern from Equinox. She explained that losing weight and strengthening my legs would ease my pain. She also offered these suggestions:
1. Do strength-training exercises like squats that target the muscles around my knees to help reduce the pressure on them.
2. Modify moves. For example, do lunges up onto a step instead of on a flat surface to get the same benefits as a regular lunge without straining my knees.
3. Do low-impact cardio that still gets my heart-rate up, like walking on a treadmill at an incline.
4. Ice my knees for 10 minutes immediately after working out to minimize inflammation and pain.