If you have an knee injury, it’s imperative that you carefully choose your exercises. In fact, a failure to do so can cause you to exacerbate the problem. This can result in a lot more pain and it can also delay healing. For instance, if you engage in vigorous cardio like running, a flair up is inevitable. That’s because running is hard on your knees. Even people that don’t have any knee issues can experience knee joint pain from running too frequently, especially if they don’t wear the proper shoes.
Since you must be extra careful with a new or old knee injury, what types of cardio exercises should you do? Generally, your goal should be activities that are low-impact. There are many options, it’s simply a matter of finding a program that works best for you. A key benefit of low-impact cardio exercise is that anyone without a lot of fitness experience can get started without feeling overwhelmed.
One of the challenges of keeping up with an exercise routine is consistency. With a low-impact program, you’re less likely to feel overly fatigued. Subsequently, you’re more likely to keep up with your exercise schedule. If you have a knee injury and your primary focus is rehabilitation, the right exercise will get the job done without causing additional damage.
Low-Impact Cardio Exercises
Swimming: Swimming is another exercise that can be a lot of fun because it doesn’t feel like exercise. More importantly, it can help to strengthen your knees, while burning calories at the same time. Swimming is great because it works all of the major muscles in your body. If you don’t like to spend time in a gym, swimming can be a good option when you need to burn calories. Swimming can actually burn more calories than jogging, and it’s safer.
Pilates: Pilates is a low-impact exercise that improves your posture and strengthens your muscles. It’s also a great way to increase your flexibility. Many people choose pilates because it’s an effective core exercise. It can benefit your entire body without negatively impacting your knees. This is an exercise that has grown in popularity over the past decade because of its many health benefits. Here are some of the benefits of pilates:
- Reduce stress
- Improve your balance
- Tone your muscles
Elliptical: An elliptical machine is beneficial when you have a knee injury because it does not cause a lot of stress on your body. It’s better than other gym machines because there is less pressure on your knees. Although it decreases the risk of injury, an elliptical machine does a great job of burning calories, which is good if you need to lose weight. If you want to invest in exercise equipment, an elliptical machine is a great choice because it serves many purposes and it can be highly effective. Elliptical machines can be challenging at first, but you’ll get the hang of it after a while.
Rowing: Rowing is an exercise that can be done in a gym or in water. It’s a fun exercise, especially if you choose to spend time outdoors on a boat. Rowing burns a significant amount of calories. The best part is that it doesn’t put a lot of stress on your knees. It’s an exceptional full-body workout that can help you feel a lot stronger. If you learn how to use a rowing machine or how to row a boat, you’ll eventually increase your stamina. You can also optimize your core strength, which is one of the best ways to improve your overall health and wellness. Rowing is a great cardio exercise that you can enjoy with others, which makes it all the more fun.
Cycling: If you want to spend time outdoors exercising, riding a bicycle is a great option when you have a knee injury. Similarly, using a stationary bike at a gym or at home is also beneficial. You can even join a cycling club so that you’re motivated to keep up with a routine. Regardless of which one you choose, there’s a chance to burn a lot of fat without destroying your knees. You can actually improve the flexibility of your joints with cycling.
Before you engage in any exercise routine, be sure to check with your doctor or chiropractor first. Call us today at 205-637-1363 if you need help from an experienced and knowledgeable chiropractor. We have effective treatment options and we’re here to provide trusted guidance.
