Does anyone ever get knee problems from doing step??

A

alison13

Cathlete
Hi,

I have been using an elliptical cylce for 5 weeks, and then I went running outside for only 1 mile, and my knees were killing me! Does anyone get knee problems from doing step?

If so, what can you do about it? Can you strengthen the muscles around the joint to keep it better supported or something??


Alison
 
My knees are fine with step if I keep the height at 6". My knees talk to me if I go to 8".

Cheryl
 
I've noticed too that when I do a step workout at 8" my right knee starts to ache. I try to stick to 6" and usually I do fine. It'd be interesting to see if a lot of people have knee problems from doing step. I use to do only kickboxing and never noticed pains.
 
I have noticed that my knees hurt if I do step every day, which I did for a good while but I took a break and did my elliptical for two weeks and it helped my knees recover. I have thick long legs so the higher step gives them a better work out a lower step hieght does not challenge them. To me for me.
 
My knees tend to hurt a bit regardless. I've taken to icing them after workouts and they feel so much better the next day.
 
My knees bother me and I started wearing knee braces when I work out . It gives me that extra support I am very careful. When I do step I never go over 6inches.

susan G.
 
Hi Alison,

I agree with other on lowering the step height. Yes, you can strengthen the muscles around the joint that support it (keep the knee cap tracking properly, etc). A good sports physical therapist could assess what if any weaknesses or imbalances you have and recommend areas to work on, but if an assessment like that isn't possible, I'd say make sure you're not overworking one muscle and under working others.

For instance (this was a problem I had), it's not uncommon for folks overwork the quads, and under work the hamstrings. This kind of imbalance can lead to knee issues. So work everything well - hamstrings, quads, inner thigh, outer thigh, calf, etc.

HTH
 
Knee problems not from step, but running - for sure! Your sneakers can make a difference with that. I've had knee/leg pain that was cured just by getting new sneakers.
 
I have the same problem... I can't use the step higher than 6"... I also wear knee braces everytime I workout... It's so frustating... I also ice my knees often... running definitely kills my knees... I can't pass 3 miles before my knees are killing me....

I noticed that kickboxing is the worse for my knees... I discovered that I was twisting my knees because I workout in carpet... what has helped is to put tape on the sole of my shoes.... but with all this, I still have problems....

I'm going to make an appointment with an sport medicine doctor.
 
Hi, Alison!
I didn't realize you'd posted here as well (I should look here first!) so I left you a message on the "Ask Cathe" forum.
 
If I consistently use an 8" step, I start to feel it after a while. I use 6" a lot more now because I'm afraid of injuring my knee.
 
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