Can I build stronger knees and, if so, how?
I would love to jog, but my knees swell. Can I build stronger knees and, if so, how? Should I just hike and use a treadmill to get the se exercise effects and just forget about running? Kathryn Moundsville, Virginia
There are also plenty of strengthening exercises you could do to start to strengthen your knees. Mini-squats (just dropping about ¼ of the way to the ground rather than the big squats the body builders do) can be very effective, although if you have any questions about how to perform them you should seek help from a trainer. Another great exercise is wall squats: stand against a wall, then slide your back down the wall so that your knees are bent at a 90 degree angle, like you are sitting on a chair. Start out by doing 3 sets of these for 10 seconds, and as your body gets stronger you can add more sets or more time.
Another great exercise to consider if your knees dont allow you to run is cycling; a good bike ride is a great way to burn calories, build leg strength, and improve cardiovascular fitness, and you dont have the impact to your joints that some people find troubling with running.
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