Mystic
We're all born mad
Oy vey. Yah, no doubt.
Weight training.
- Thread starter catman
- Start date
Hope I'm not hijacking. I don't think Catman would mind if he was still around. If it is, I'll move it.
Any advice on weight training exercises (machine or free), for basic core and legs when you have bad knees? I need to maintain strength for hiking.
It's a catch 22 - gain the strength but adds pain when hiking. But the strength helps overcome the pain.
Perspective for what I need - It's not flat trail walking. It's more like scrambling. Coming down is way worse on the knees than going up.
Any advice on weight training exercises (machine or free), for basic core and legs when you have bad knees? I need to maintain strength for hiking.
It's a catch 22 - gain the strength but adds pain when hiking. But the strength helps overcome the pain.
Perspective for what I need - It's not flat trail walking. It's more like scrambling. Coming down is way worse on the knees than going up.
Ross6860
Super Member
Check out the "Knees Over Toes Guy" on YouTube.
He focuses exercise on strengthening the muscles, ligaments, and tendons around the knee.
Bill S
Thread Killer
Get new knees?
Ross6860
Super Member
I know several folks that had knee replacements and the results were less than optimal. Others had better results.
I guess it depends on how much pain you're in, your age, and your expectations.
Suffering with a back flare-up for the last month. I've had a bad back since I was a teenager. Hope this isn't something "new".
Pain is very personal. My wife has 5 fused vertebrae in her neck. I had open-heart surgery 14 months ago, the back spasms are actually worse.
Bill S
Thread Killer
You get out of a knee replacement what you put into it. Unless you're really overweight, you'll be good if you dedicate 6-8 weeks to flexibility and ROM in the new knee and then work on strengthening (weights) after that. Might as well do the whole body while your at it. Results (for me at least) were transformative.
Reyhifi
Well-Known Member
Need the king of exercises, the squat and deadlift. You can start with body weight squats even using some assistance like a chair or a broom stick. Also wall squats are awesome, because the isometric variant. Make sure your core is strong, basic planks will do it, you can do side plank more challenging.
Got one. Got infected and had to be replaced, carried the infection for 9 months. Replaced with one that doesn't fit, so now no bend past 95 or so - flat stop. The other has had meniscus repair but now bone-on-bone. Both will have to be fixed but putting it off.
I just finished my playlist and I'm out the door to do it again (see pics, that's where I go). I just crave that level of exercise, can't help it.
shrinkboy
Addicted Member
done that hike up Camelback at least a dozen times
Bill S
Thread Killer
My friends got infected and had to be replaced. No fun. I feel your pain. Prior to my surgery, walking and biking helped me the most. Recumbent bike at the gym. Mine hurt worse going downhill as well. I was limited to walking 1-2 miles B4 replacement. No limits now except running but I'll do a lap at the gym from time to time just to remember what pain free running feels like. Good luck to you. I'd look for a new ortho.
Ross6860
Super Member
Agreed, as long as the pain level and flexibility allow for them.
Squat
Deadlift
Bent Over Row
Military Press
Bench Press
Then do whatever one likes, but the core 5 should be the start.
Pio1980
AK Member
@ 77, I'm putting off any invasive procedures until they become essentially inevitable.
Re weight training, I'm reminded of Robert Schumann's experience with a procedure that was supposed to strengthen his hands, instead damaged them beyond his abilities as a Virtuoso pianist. Friend of mine blamed weight training as partially responsible for his wrecked knees and replacements.
I'm not subjecting my arthritic knees and feet to any more stress than required for mobility and am at the stage where stairs are inconvenient obstacles. I avoid them where ever possible.
Lastly, get advice from folks you can sue for malpractice and damages if it goes wrong and cripples you. That's the only advice I'd feeely offer on the subject.
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Bill S
Thread Killer
Quality of life comes into play. I had a really bad knee since I blew out my ACL in 1983. 2 arthroscopic procedures to remove all the miniscus. Bone on bone since 1990. Had it replaced in 2019 and said, why did I wait. It was transformative and I can do almost anything. The pain and discomfort from the procedure is gone after 6-8 weeks. Small price to pay for a pain free future.
I see guys my age (65 now) waddling into the gym. Do you realize what that does to your back, hips and feet? Why would you want to go on like that if there is a surgical alternative?