Aerobic Exercises That Won't Hurt The Knee

Bad knees can make working out tough but not impossible. Low-impact exercises offer many of the same benefits as other exercises but put less stress on the knee. This means less pain and a decreased risk of injury for you. The American College of Sports Medicine defines aerobic exercise as any exercise that involves large muscle groups, is performed for an extended period and is rhythmic in nature. Aerobic exercises don't have to hurt the knee, though.

Swimming

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that people who exercise in water can exercise longer than on land without pain in the joints and muscles. For this reason, swimming can be a great way to get a total body, aerobic workout without putting too much stress on your knees. The CDC suggests at least an hour and a half of swimming per week to decrease the risk of chronic illness and promote physical fitness.

Cycling

The Department of Kinesiology and Health at Georgia State University recommends bicycling as a good aerobic activity that is easy on the knees. Whether on a stationary bike or a real bicycle, cycling provides a good cardiovascular workout while strengthening the muscles and ligaments around the knee, which can make the knees stronger and decrease pain over time.

Walking

The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases recommends walking as a low-impact aerobic activity for people with knee problems. A brisk walk gets the heart rate up, burns calories and strengthens the legs, but puts very little impact on the joints. Like cycling, walking can strengthen the muscles that support the knees and minimize knee-related pain over time.

Elliptical Trainers

Using an elliptical trainer is another way to incorporate low-impact aerobic exercise into your workout routine and minimize the impact on your knee, reports the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. While elliptical trainers are weight-bearing workouts, they put very little impact on the joints, making them an ideal choice for people with knee pain.