HIIT Cardio and bad knees

[edgarr]

So I have been doing HIIT for about two weeks and it is rough on my knees. I do 20 mins on the treadmill alternating 2 min fast pace walk and 2 min sprint. It takes me about 10 mins to just warm up. I do this after my workout but sometimes also just as my cardio session. What are you guys doing besides using the treadmill? Does it get better after a few weeks? Was thinking of trying the bike?

[terraj]

Same here mate, if I sprint or fast jog more then a couple days back to back my knees are done a for a week or more.

Elliptical is what I have used for HIIT, you can really work hard on an elliptical and save the kneeeeees.

I can't stand excerise bikes.

[FireGuy]

I dont like the bike either but I use it often just to save wear and tear on the joints. If your gym has a stairmill (not a stairmaster or stepper) that will totally kick your ass as well without much stress on the knees.

[edgarr]

Don't think there is a stairmill but I'll check. I'll try the elliptical. I was thinking about the bike where the pedals are in front of you vs underneath.

[ranging1]

I dont like the bike either but I use it often just to save wear and tear on the joints. If your gym has a stairmill (not a stairmaster or stepper) that will totally kick your ass as well without much stress on the knees.

agree 100%

Don't think there is a stairmill but I'll check. I'll try the elliptical. I was thinking about the bike where the pedals are in front of you vs underneath.

pedals towards the front will strain your kness more, since itll cause a greater bend in your knees and place more tension on your quads

[edgarr]

Well tried the elliptical today and it's kind of a weird motion, I guess I need to get use to it but I never got my heart rate up past 137. Will try stairmill tomorrow

[Bossman]

Do you have an Schwin Airdyne? Ive had good luck doing HIIT on the Airdyne. I don't like bikes much, but this seems to work.

[oakdad]

Grap a kick board and jump in the pool.
Blast to one end take it easy back to the other.
You don't need to be a good swimmer to use a kick board.

[FireGuy]

Well tried the elliptical today and it's kind of a weird motion, I guess I need to get use to it but I never got my heart rate up past 137. Will try stairmill tomorrow

The stairmill will get you over 137...

[edgarr]

I took 2 ibuprofen 30 mins before treadmill today and that was a lot better, not sure what tomorrow will feel like. Anything wrong with that?

[vanduhl]

Hello,

edgar, there is nothing wrong with taking anywhere from 200-500mg of ibuprofen before a workout, it is an anti-inflammatory and will help with the pain without any adverse effects.

Also, the stairmaster was mentioned below and is far less stressful on your knees, however if you have acces to a swimming pool then try swimming. It is a great cardio-booster and is VERY low impact, which means no joints are in any threatening stress.
As always, remember to loosen up before any physical activity!

Let me know how it goes!

-vanduhl

[edgarr]

Today was great, took 2 advil 30 mins prior and NO pain, even got .2 MPH faster on the treadmill!!

[pakroids]

sorry if this is to late but just make sure the ibu is not masking the pain, and you dont feel pain after it wares off, peace.

[edgarr]

I am sore afterwards but have been my whole life

[theryano]

also u can try to do 10 mins on elliptical...workout for 10 mins....the back to elliptical....back and forth until ur done with entire workout....i read in a magazine that this burns twice as many calories then just a constant run.....due to the fact of the heart rate being up longer.