1. Water Aerobics is Easier on All Your Joints, Knees Included

Water aerobics is a great choice for cardio when you’re guarding your knees. You can still get your heart pumping without putting pressure and strain on your knees. The pool is a wonderful place for a workout. It makes your body feel lightweight which is great when you’re trying to stop the jarring sensations many cardio options cause. Additionally, you’ll love the relaxing feeling working out in the pool gives you.

2. Use the Pool for It’s Original Purpose of Swimming

What other exercises can be done in the pool? Swimming, of course! Many times, this slips our mind but it’s a great exercise. It’s good cardio and will also strengthen your body. Additionally, it can help make you a stronger swimmer. If you can’t swim, consider taking a class to learn.

3. Replace Jogging with Speed Walking

Speed walking is a great alternative to jogging when you’re trying to protect your knees. It’s true that running burns more calories than walking but when you compare speed walking to jogging, there’s not much difference in calories burned. The difference is in the amount of impact your knees must endure. This article by livestrong.com explains this in more detail. Speed walking offers you the benefits of jogging without the risk to your knees.

4. Become Best Friends with Your Elliptical

You may own a piece of exercise equipment that’s a good choice for your knees that you aren’t even using. Ellipticals are a great choice for saving your knees. If you’re wondering why, it’s because your feet never leave the pedals. This saves them from suffering the jarring many exercises produce. If you own an elliptical then you aren’t out any expense for your workout.

5. Take up Biking to save Your Knees

Biking can be a good choice for your knees. It’s possible that the circular rotation your knees take when biking can cause some strain. It depends on what type of sensitivity your knees have to exercise. But if it’s the high impact exercises you’re trying to avoid then this’s a perfect choice. You’re feet don’t leave the petals so they’re saved from that problem.

6. Look for Knee-Saving Workouts Online

This’s something I wasn’t aware of until I did some research for this article. There’re specific workouts that’ve been designed for the sole purpose of keeping your knees safe and protected. Some of them are available for you to use for free. I think it’s wonderful that there’re resources like this for people to use. Here’s a link to one from the sparkpeople.com website.

7. Rent or Buy “Strong Knees” to Repair Your Knee Damage to do Any Sort of Cardio You Wish

This’s something else I found in my research. There’s a workout DVD ‘s designed to repair knee damage. It’s structured to help you regain strength in your knees. The goal is to give you more cardio workout options in the future. As with any exercise, it’s always best to check with your physician first to make sure they approve.

These’re 7 options for cardio that won’t shred your knees. Do you have issues with your knees? What exercise options do you use?