6 Cardio Exercise Equipment for Bad Knees

Suffering from knee pains or bad knees is up to no good; it only holds you back from doing the things you love the most. Even if you are bending down, climbing stairs, or just walking around, you probably have uttered “ouch” in your life.

The best thing here is that several exercise equipment for bad knees exist. But with tons of machines you can find online, another problem exists: what are the best machines you can use to reduce the pain?

According to a journal article, therapeutic exercises are effective pain-relieving intervention methods, especially for those who suffer from knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Further, doing the right types of exercises benefit not only your knees but also your whole body. In fact, exercising strengthens your bones, joints, and muscles, which speeds up the healing processes.

Fortunately, you can choose from various exercise machines that help to strengthen your knees. Below you will find some of the orthopedic experts-recommended machines that can help you recover from bad knees.

Note: Always consult your doctor before starting to use any machine or exercise program.

1. Stationary Recumbent Exercise Bikes

A stationary recumbent exercise bike is a popular choice for people suffering from bad knees, especially those who experience severe conditions after walking for extended periods.

Meanwhile, newbies or those who are recovering from an injury, lower back, or joint pain should give the stationary recumbent bikes a try as well.

What makes the stationary different from an upright bike is its padded and ergonomic seat, creating more comfortable and safer knee workouts.

It is also a convenient machine for rehabilitation purposes, wherein you can find optimal positions and resistance levels that fit your fitness needs.

Seniors and overweight individuals who have knee injuries can greatly benefit from stationary recumbent bikes. These exercise machines give them a smooth, low-impact cardio workout for their knees.

Related: Best Recumbent Exercise Bike Reviews and Comparison

2. Upright Stationary Bikes

Unlike the recumbent, upright stationary bikes work similarly to a standard road bike. You can lean over the handlebars while pedaling.

This machine is typically useful when you want a whole-body workout, as it engages your core muscles. Since it mimics the bicycle experience, your body burns more calories and sees improvements in the biceps, shoulder, and triceps muscles.

Yet, sitting and getting off is a bit more complicated with upright bikes.

Nevertheless, the upright bike is useful because you can choose various levels, which provides a safe cardio workout for bad knees at your home’s convenience.

Related:Recumbent Bike vs. Upright Bike: What are the Differences?

3. Treadmills

Treadmill machines are called running machines, which are advantageous home machines you can have to recover from bad knees with their low-impact workouts.

You can work with treadmill machines even if you have bad knees, with little to no impact on your knee pains.

Modern treadmill machines often come with a safe shock absorption belt (running area) that protects your knee joints while working out. Additionally, most of these machines come with padded belts and angles that decrease a workout’s impact on your body.

Plus, you can choose from a wide range of walking programs, and the handlebars give you a safer support system without aggravating your knee pains.

Related:5 Best Treadmills Under $1000

4. Elliptical Machines

The elliptical trainer is another useful knee exercise machine to strengthen your knee joints.

With the elliptical machine’s help, you can get low-impact and knee-friendly cardio workouts. It puts a little more stress on your knees, so it is better to use this machine in the healing process.

Additionally, your upper and lower bodies tend to workout simultaneously. You can see the results in your lower body, especially glutes, quadriceps, and hip flexors.

5. Rowing Machines

Rowing machines provide the most compound exercises for your fitness needs. In fact, it works for almost every muscle group.

It also has cardio and strength-training benefits. But, rowing seems to be a movement that engages your knee joints too much.

Since it engages your knees that much, you should be careful working with it. Common rowing injuries involve improper workouts or positions while rowing, leading to lumbar back pains, shoulder impingement, and so on.

Start with the lowest level and gradually increase the speed, resistance level, and time.

Related:Different Types of Rowing Machines

6. Other Alternatives

If you do not want to use the above-mentioned exercise equipment to support your bad knees, you can try other alternatives, such as water exercises and swimming.

The water decreases the pressure on every joint of your body. It is a good start for rehabilitation.

Related: What is the Best Exercise Equipment for Seniors?

Leg Strengthening Exercises for Bad Knees (Without Equipment)

Of course, you can moderately strengthen your legs without the need for any exercise machines. Here are a few exercises for bad knees:

Note: Always start with a few minutes of warm-up exercises.

• Straight leg raises. Lie on the floor. Lift one of your legs by keeping it straight. Do 10-20 reps, then switch to the other leg. This exercise works your quadriceps, thighs’ front muscles, and cores without putting pressure on your knee joints.
• Standing hamstring curl. Stand behind a chair and grab its back. Lift your heels closer to your buttocks as you can and stop for few seconds. Do 10-20 reps. You would feel your knees get better after some time. For additional resistance, you can use ankle weights or resistance bands. This exercise works your hamstring muscles, which are found at the back of your thighs.
• Standing calf raise. Stand straight and lift your body weight with your calves. Do 15-20 reps.
• Step-ups. For this exercise, you need a slightly elevated surface. Do not use too inclined-angles as it puts stress on your knee joints. Step on the elevated surface with your leg, then step back. Perform this activity for 10-15 reps.
• Side-leg raises. Lie on your side and bend your leg (close to the floor) for better support. Straighten your other leg and lift it to 45 degrees (or more if you can). Do 15-20 reps for each side.

Here a few more leg exercises that don’t hurt knees:

Note: If you feel any knee, pain stop immediately to avoid future problems.

Treatments Aside from Exercise Equipment for Bad Knees

The first step is to change your diet plan to reach a daily calorie deficit if you are overweight. In this way, your body would start burning fat.

Along with a healthy diet, exercises are necessary for developing your muscle mass, cardiovascular system, and endurance.

Little did people know that the more muscle mass you have, the faster your metabolism will be, which leads to constant calorie burning.

Besides the mentioned machines for knee pains, walking is among the best cardio exercises for bad knees. You will need a good pair of shoes in this case.

If you still find walking difficult, you can try Nordic walking machines, in which you will use two special poles.

Conclusion

I hope you like this guide to the best exercise equipment for bad knees and workout advice. Most of these exercises are easy ones so you can start safely. With time as you improve, you can switch to harder moves.

But be careful! Switching to advanced workouts too fast will do more harm than good. So, be patient.