training with knee injuries

[etown]

Hi there...first time poster. It looks like there's lots of great discussion on here, so I'm hoping you can give me some good tips.

I recently suffered knee injuries and I am supposed to not exert any force on them and stay off my feet as much as possible.

As such, getting exercise -- particularly cardio -- is obviously a challenge.

Any suggestions for things I can do to stay toned and fit. Or anything that can reasonably simulate cardio?

[candyass]

Cardio, such as running or bike riding, is going to be out of the picture for you. Running is very high impact. If I were in your place I would do a lot of swimming.

You should also do some basic weight exercises that dont involve the knees. Im talking about bench press ect.

I assume a recumbant bike workout is out of the question. Check with your physician if it would be OK. I tore my ACL 5 years ago and used one extensively before and after surgery.

If you cannot use a recumbant bicycle, then I have two thoughts:

(1) heavyhands workout - if walking is out of the question, then do heavyhands type of workouts sitting. See www.heavyhandsfitness.com for details about the heavyhands workout.

(2) Also see www.aeroabs.com

Good luck!

[LUVUTALL]

Don't know about your access to equipment but when I hurt my ankle a while back I worked out on an UBE machine. It's like a bike but you use your hands to move the pedals not your feet. No impact at all on the knees/ankles/legs. It does get your heart rate up and gives your shoulders a good workout too.

[.V.]

I know it's November. But check to see if there is an indoor heated pool near you. Cardio exercise in a pool is great for recovery. Candyass already mentioned swimming, but there are also other pool activities which are good. My dad - after his last bout with paralysis then another back surgery did several months of resistance training in a pool before he was allowed to do it in the gym. Now instead of paralyzed from the waist down, he just got back from setting up his south carolina hunting camp for upcoming deer season. Definitely things you can do in a pool. Exactly what things for your body, with your individual case - ask your doc or PT.

[chris.s]

yeh i'd go with swimming like the others said, i recently dislocated my knee cap, huray!, and thats what i'm doing and its great. pity half my left knee/thigh is now gone i was about to start cutting.