Need some cardio advice

[SmokinwithWilly]

I'm looking to begin a good cardio program to help burn off some excess weight and I need a little help. Typical cardio will not work for me. I have a severe problem with my knee, I've had several MRIs, seen several specialists, and currently am seeing a pain specialist for a problem that according to every doctor I've seen, doesn't exist. So long story short, I'm trying to find some good lower body exercises that give a good cardio workout that doesn't require constant flexing of my knee. Flutter kicks are good, and I'm looking for something else that will get the heart rate pumping without leaving me unable to walk for a few days. Thanks in advance.

[CatofWar]

Swimming?

[hepcat]

Swimming is great for what you're looking for.  The elliptical is a low impact workout but might be a little stressful on your knees.  

[cardiackat88.]

Conditioning ropes

[the butch]

Knowing the types of movements that trigger the pain would be helpful. Does the elliptical help at all? And depending on how you swim, swimming could potentially strain your knee more.

[SmokinwithWilly]

At this point , repetitive flexing causes severe pain that leaves me barely able to walk for days. I have about 15% use compared to my other knee. I know flutter kicks keep my leg straight and at the moment that's about as far as I can take it. Full bending of my knee with all my weight on it,like a squat, is excruciatingly painful. Im trying to develop strength and stamina. Swimming would be good, but my pool access is very limited. The most challenging thing I have done is using 2 exercise balls, one between the shoulder blades and one at my ankles and holding myself up. It's a lot of reflex and strength training. I've lost a lot of my endurance because I haven't been able to do lower body conditioning regularly for 18 months. I'm trying to find something to break up the monotony. Right now, the straighter I keep my leg,the better.

[the butch]

Sitting leg presses should help strengthen the muscles around your knee.

The elliptical should be fine unless your knees don't track well.

Constant stretching your hamstrings, quads, groin, and knee cap should alleviate tension, giving you a greater range of motion.

I would start with that. And when I saw stretching. I mean like an hour a day; break it into 20 min sections, or 10 minutes per leg.

If you can't swim in a pool, run in it (like the 3-4 ft end). Really, I think you should start with strength training. Seated (or laying if your gym has the machine) single-leg leg presses should be where you start. Low weight. Like 20-40 pounds depending if you're sitting or laying, respectively. Or less weight if needed. And do that constantly for about 12 minutes each leg. No breaks. I'm not a physical therapist, but odds are one would tell you something similar.

Knees are the worst.

[Zod]

Cross country ski machine maybe? Very little knee flexing.

[Dpantherman]

I know plenty of people that take Water aerobics. Heard it helps with those issues 

[OneBadCat]

Perhaps there are some high rep weight lifting routines that could help you. Dumbell rows, low weight dead lifts? How does jumping rope feel on your knee? Too much stress? 

 

One thing that always makes me sweat are super sets. You can do these with light weight and get a good work out. Start with the military press do 10. Then give yourself a short break. Don't take too long, the point is to get your heart going. Then 10 upright rows. You can do those in a pyramid type routine if you want but I suppose that depends on how much weight you're comfortable with.

 

I would agree with what Dick the Butcher has said. Stretching and leg presses should help your knee. But obviously you need to be using low weight.

[Doc Holiday]

as said before swimming

[PandaPancake]

Recumbent bike? It's what I had to use to rehab my knee.

[88 Bronco]

Try an elliptical. There is a supplement that I use that the board won't let me post the name. Have you considered a sports medicine doctor and what is the history of the knee?

[SmokinwithWilly]

I've been to an orthopedic specialist, an orthopedic surgeon, a sports medicine doctor, a sports rehab specialist, 2 physical therapists, had 2 MRI's and all came to the same conclusion, there is nothing there that would explain the pain and lack of movement I am experiencing. Thanks for the ideas. I think I'm going to find a gym that has pool access and start there.