Alternative To The Treadmill

[Urban Sports]

Evening

I'm currently suffering my 3rd knee injury in 2 years after hitting the treadmill pretty hard!!

I really enjoy the treadmill as I've had really good results. I've lost over 3 stone in those 2 years.

The problem is I know I have a weakness in my left knee, I really don't want to give up the treadmill, although I'm getting to the point where I think I'll have to

My question is, which other exercise will look after my knee but still give the same calorie burning benefits? I've tried the bike but it just doesn't seem to do it!!

[ewenm]

Have you tried outside on grass? I find that much easier on the legs than a treadmill. I'd pick running round playing fields in driving snow over a treadmill every time.

[ShadownINja]

What's wrong with an exercise bicycle? Just do it for longer or do it faster. And as for pedalling...

[Ordinary_Chap]

Weight lifting.

[Beardy10]

Rowing. Low/zero impact and great all over work out. Personally I think it's much harder than running and I am better built for rowing than running.....there's a reason you don't see people on a rowing machine for an hour at a time. Best cardio you can do.

[Stu R]

Rowing machine. If you're after treadmill type standing up stuff maybe a cross trainer would be easier, certainly is on my knees and they're fecked. Well, one of them is, the other is brand new

Edited by Stu R on Saturday 2nd October 22:28

[fadeaway]

Stu R said:

Rowing machine. If you're after treadmill type standing up stuff maybe a cross trainer would be easier, certainly is on my knees and they're fecked. Well, one of them is, the other is brand new

Edited by Stu R on Saturday 2nd October 22:28

+1

Cross-trainer would I think be perfect for you. Similar motion to the treadmill but much easier on the joints as there's not impact and you never full extend the joint.

[grumbledoak]

Treadmills are surprisingly nasty! I saw a physio for quite a while after injuring myself on one.

If you really want to run, get outside on grass. Otherwise, I'd suggest swimming.


ETA- those cross-trainers don't work for everyone. Far worse than treadmills, for me.

Edited by grumbledoak on Saturday 2nd October 23:19

[missdiane]

I have suffered with a bad knee ever since I started running on the treadmill, I was fine when I was walking on it with high incline.
The bikes were even worse on my knees.

[RRS_Staffs]

Since an injury as a teenager my right knee feels as though its made of cheese

If I run for 10 mins, even on grass or a treadmill, it swells and aches for days

However I can exercise without limits on a real bike, rowing machine or exercise bike

And I mean without limits

[Torquey]

Try a spinning class.

[filski666]

to all the people talking about problems with knees after running - have you had your feet checked for pronation?

I had knee problems for many years, culminating in a pretty serious one that ended my time in the TA. Everytime I ran on grass, tarmac or treadmill I would get pain in my knees / hips that had me hobbling for days.

I have found out recently that if you have pronation of the foot, it causes your foot to rotate and puts stress on your knees (sometimes hips). This can be solved by corrective insoles to support your foot arches properly.

I went to the shop at my gym and they made me stand on a pressure pad, then they could recommend the correct version of trainer they stocked.

To do it properly though, a couple of trips to a podiatrist, who will video you running, then create some custom insoles to support your insteps the correct amount so you walk properly. Which is were I am going next!

One way to see if you suffer badly from this is to look at the bottom of your shoes - do they wear unevenly? If so it is likely you suffer from pronation of the foot, and this can be resolved cheaply and easily and you will enjoy running again!!
(although it may not be bad enough to wear your shoes noticeably)

Hope it helps

Phil

[BigAlinEmbra]

Tried one of the moonwalker things?

[Zip106]

I knackered both my knees on a treadmill.

Not from the actual running, but from the burns I received when I fell over and off at full speed.....

[Cotty]

Stu R said:

Rowing machine. If you're after treadmill type standing up stuff maybe a cross trainer would be easier, certainly is on my knees and they're fecked. Well, one of them is, the other is brand new

Yep cross trainer is great.

[Beardy10]

I'd say too much of any one exercise isn't great....far better to rotate exercises/machines from an overall fitness and also injury prevention perspective. I'd personally always rather use a proper cycle on or off road than an exercise bike in a gym.

[balders118]

filski666 said:

to all the people talking about problems with knees after running - have you had your feet checked for pronation?

I had knee problems for many years, culminating in a pretty serious one that ended my time in the TA. Everytime I ran on grass, tarmac or treadmill I would get pain in my knees / hips that had me hobbling for days.

I have found out recently that if you have pronation of the foot, it causes your foot to rotate and puts stress on your knees (sometimes hips). This can be solved by corrective insoles to support your foot arches properly.

I went to the shop at my gym and they made me stand on a pressure pad, then they could recommend the correct version of trainer they stocked.

To do it properly though, a couple of trips to a podiatrist, who will video you running, then create some custom insoles to support your insteps the correct amount so you walk properly. Which is were I am going next!

One way to see if you suffer badly from this is to look at the bottom of your shoes - do they wear unevenly? If so it is likely you suffer from pronation of the foot, and this can be resolved cheaply and easily and you will enjoy running again!!
(although it may not be bad enough to wear your shoes noticeably)

Hope it helps

Phil

Nearly right but.... Everyone pronates. Its those that pronate too much (greater angle of pronation), too fast or for too long that will cause issues. This is know as hyperpronation Uneven shoe wear is normal, the outside of the heal will usually wear first as that is the initial point of contact with the ground. The foot then pronates as you go through mid-stance and flattens out. hypopronation is also a lesser known issue which is the oppsite of hyper.

You're right though, it does cause a lot of injuries in a lot of people!

So I'd agreed with filski here and get your gait assesed. A correct fitting pair of running shoes may well do wonders.

If not, like other have suggested the rower is great cardio. Its the only cardio machine I use.

If you train somewhere with precor or technogym equipment they may have an Adaoptive Motion Trainer or Vario machine respectivly. These are like a cross trainer, but mimic actual running technique a lot better as the stride length is adapated to your natual stride.

Edited by balders118 on Sunday 3rd October 18:57

[NoelWatson]

Beardy10 said:

there's a reason you don't see people on a rowing machine for an hour at a time.

Because it rips your backside to shreds as I found out last week!

[Stu R]

NoelWatson said:

Beardy10 said:

there's a reason you don't see people on a rowing machine for an hour at a time.

Because it rips your backside to shreds as I found out last week!

You sure you're sitting at the right end?

[anonymous-user]

NoelWatson said:

Beardy10 said:

there's a reason you don't see people on a rowing machine for an hour at a time.

Because it rips your backside to shreds as I found out last week!

He said ROWING machine, not MOWING!!!

I have a slight knee weakness so cross trainer, rower and bike on a rotational basis works great for me and stops the boredom.