Bad knees are a problem most exercise enthusiasts encounter along their fitness journey, often exacerbated by aging. Fortunately, addressing this issue involves proper stretching and targeted workouts to strengthen knee joints and ankles, thereby reducing strain. If you’re pressed for time and seek exercises tailored to this concern, discovering the optimal exercise machine for bad knees and weak joints could be beneficial. We’ve curated a list to assist you in this endeavor, ensuring your fitness routine prioritizes joint health. For additional support in enhancing your YouTube channel’s performance, consider exploring options to enhance your subscriber count, such as accessing platforms like YouTube Storm.
AGM Under Desk Bike
Mini bikes, foot pedals and under desk bikes are an excellent choice when it comes to strengthening your hamstrings, ankles, the muscles around your knee area and your calves. Regular bike would be a great option too. That is, if you know how to ride it, and if you have enough time to go outside. There are exercise bikes as well, and a special equipment that allows you to mount your regular bike on it and turn it into an exercise machine. However, all of these options require much more space, finances and time. Even on an exercise bike, you need to stay focused. You can’t just do other things (like work or study) while riding those.
Mini bikes and under desks bikes are compact, affordable, effective and can be used anytime, anywhere. This model in particular is almost 9 pounds (which is one medium dumbbell weight) and 12.6 inches in height. So, you can comfortably travel with it if you wish. It has adjustability options to make your workouts more or less intense. Non-slip design guarantees safety. And what’s more, you can you it for your upper body as well (particularly for wrist mobility and delts).
RAHYMA Inversion Table
Inversion therapy is a form of physical therapy that uses gravity to treat back and joint pain. It involves inverting the body, which can be done on a special table or by hanging from a bar. They’re great for relieving lower back pain and improving posture, helping you stretch your legs and spine. People with chronic pains use the machine as a part of their daily workout routine. You just have to make sure to do the kind of exercises that fit your intensity level, age, and the problem area.
RAHYMA table can be used for higher or lower intensity workouts as well as yoga and Pilates. It’s foldable, built with durable materials, firm and cushiony in all the right places, and the design looks sleek, expensive and elegant too. It can load up to 440 LBS. The machine comes with a precise acupressure targeting trigger points and provides full support for your waist and lower back. Non-skid flooring and non-slip leathery cushions will make all your workouts safe.
Sunny Health & Fitness Under Desk Elliptical Peddler
Just like exercise bikes, elliptical peddlers are great for strengthening small muscle group surrounding knee joints, calves and ankles. Peddles are usually light, small in size and can be transported or carried with you anywhere you go. The main benefit of peddlers is the fact that they can used while you’re sitting at your desk working on your computer or reading something. They are safe for any age group and work wonders for bad knees.
Sunny Health peddler is made of alloy steel. It comes with a digital screen where you can track your progress, time and intensity of a workout. 8 different levels of belt-insured intensity will enable you to do a range of exercises (from a beginner to more advanced). Because the belt is magnetic, the machine basically operates without any noise, the motion is smooth and uninterrupted. All of these with less than $150 (and less than that on discounts).
Marcy Elliptical Trainer
The elliptical trainer is a low-impact exercise machine great for rehabbing your legs and knees. It can also help improve cardiovascular fitness, burn calories and tone you body. Usually one of the first exercise machines you can take up after injuries or the recovery process from a surgery. It’s intense enough to get your heart rate up, but not safe enough not to overwork your body, and it’s hard to slip or have a bad posture when doing a workout on it.
Marcy trainer is made of high quality BPA-free, heavy duty plastic and fully magnetic peddlers for the ease of motion and low noise. The digital screen display (placed quite low so that anyone can look at it without straining their neck) displays the time, calories and intensity of your workout. Eight different resistance levels provide you with enough variety of exercises. It comes with a 2 year’s manufacturer guarantee (although it’s super durable so we doubt you will need to use that).
Marcy Recumbent Exercise Bike
Recumbent bikes are arguably the best and most effective exercise machine for bad knees and legs in general. They can be mounted in a corner, higher quality ones don’t make much noise so can be used any part of the day. They are durable (will literally last you forever) and offer enough intensity to do anything from an HIIT to strength workouts of all levels.
Marcy recumbent bike with resistance offers extra intensity with magnetic resistance mechanism of eight different levels. It’s build entirely from heavy duty steel, has comfortable step through design and adjustable chair. Cushiony seat for a fully supported back when sitting, and durable pedals for ankle support and safety when standing. Eye-level computer screen makes it easy to see and monitor your progress. A premium quality bike that could be standing at your local gym for under $200. Truly a steal.
Bosu NextGen Ball
Bosu, or a balance ball is another great tool to help strengthen your knees, legs, core and improve your balance. It can be used for a variety of exercises, including squats, lunges and balancing exercises that target the lower body. Despite looking hard to handle, bosu ball can be easy to use, depending on its surface and size. Larger balls with grippy surface and good support on the floor are easier to use and extremely effective. As you advance, you can switch it up with the one with smoother slippery surface.
BOSU NextGen ball is 16.2 pound in weight and can support up to 350 pounds. It has sticky rubber bottom to grip on your floor and non-skid surface that will prevent you from falling off. The best thing about this model is that it comes with a free downloadable guide with 12 different exercises specifically designed for balance balls. When inflated to the maximum, it can stand up to 10 inches. Higher means more intensity, so we advice to start on a lower level.
Things to Look Out for When Buying Exercise Equipment for Bad Knees
Stability
You want to make sure the machine you choose is stable in the way it’s mounted and the way it supports your body. Stability is a must-have feature of any exercise equipment, as it helps keep your workout safe and injury-free. It also enhances your performance by giving you room for handling higher resistance. Another important consideration is how close the center of gravity of your machine is to the floor. This will determine its overall weight distribution, which affects how well you perform harder exercises. If your machine has a narrow base or low center of gravity, it may not be sturdy enough for higher intensity workouts.
Fit
When it comes to fitness equipment, it’s important to make sure the machine you choose will be a good fit for your body, fitness goals and exercising space. You want it to feel comfortable and safe without sacrificing effectiveness. Look for adjustable machines that can help accommodate different heights and weights. If there is no such option available, look for something else no matter how much you like the particular model. Don’t spend you money on a machine that will limit the range of your workouts.
Quality
The exercise equipment you pay for should be built to last. It should be made from high-quality materials and constructed well, preferably come with a warranty for defects or wear-and-tear too. Consider how often you plan on using a certain machine. In case of knee problems, chances are you will have to use whatever you purchase on a daily basis. Buy the best quality option within your budget. It’s better to do your research a bit longer but buy something good, instead of making a haste purchase you will have to fix or throw away after a while.
Conclusion
There are many different types of exercise machines that helps with bad knees, but the ones listed above target precisely the problem area. They are versatile enough to provide both cardio-training and strengthening exercises too. Do keep in mind a few things before making your purchase. Look for something made of quality materials, that will last you for a long time. And don’t forget to consult with a physiotherapist about the kind of exercises you will do on your machines.