If you once were very active and now have to deal with constant knee pain, it can be difficult to re-adjust your lifestyle to this new reality. However, having bad knees shouldn’t completely stop you from engaging in physical activity. There are tons of great sports out there that can not only be practiced by people with knee problems but could actually improve their condition. Here are a few of them.
Swimming
If you want to know what helps knee pain when it comes to exercise, then there aren’t many better options than swimming. Swimming is one of the lowest impact exercises out there and will give you a great workout at the same time. You can decide to go for a water aerobics class, play sports like water polo or water volleyball, or simply swim laps if you want to. Not only does swimming help with knee pain, it will help your joints in general, especially your back.
Rowing
Rowing is another great water sport that anybody suffering from knee pain can partake in. Rowing mainly puts pressure on the upper body and allows you to remain seated most of the time. However, this isn’t the best exercise if you’re recovering from a knee injury or suffering from intense knee pain, as you will have to bend and extend your knees as you go. But, it is still a good option for those who are dealing with minimal pain.
Cycling
Cycling is another great exercise for your knees and joints. However, you should stick to stationary cycling if you’re having knee issues. Cycling on the pavement doesn’t allow you to control intensity the way a stationary bike would, and you also have to apply brakes every now and then, which adds even more pressure. But if you have to go cycling outdoors, try to stick to even surfaces and try to avoid going uphill.
Yoga
While yoga is not a sport per se, it is still one of the most beneficial fitness practices you can engage in if you’re experiencing knee pain. Ideally, you should try to do yoga at least three times per week for optimal results. Yoga can be used either to strengthen your knees or to prepare for an intense exercise. However, whatever you do, don’t start yoga by watching some videos or looking at pictures. Make sure that you either enroll in a good class or work with a good yoga instructor.
Conclusion
All these exercises are ideal for people dealing with knee pain. In any case, try to watch your intensity at first to see how comfortable you are. Once you start getting in the groove, you can gradually increase the intensity until you reach maximum effort.
Tags: cycling, exericse, fitness, knee, knee health, knee injury, knee pain, prehab, rehab, rowing, Sports, swimming, Yoga
