Knee stiffness - could it be my shoes or am I doing something wrong?

[andtckrtoo]

I'm suffering from knee stiffness - they don't really hurt (unless I push WAY too much) but even after Low Max, I can feel it. I did Circuit Max this morning with the high impact and I am REALLY aware of my knees when I stand up. I don't typically have knee problems - I trail run and I can even run down very steep hills without any issues.

I've been using my running shoes for my Cathe workouts. I have Low Max, Circuit Max and Cardio Kicks (and will have IMAX2 and C&W's soon, thanks to the advice on this board). I also have MIS and ME. Could they possibly be causing my knee issues, or am I doing something wrong? I have been making sure that I am using proper form, especially on the squats. I also do Tae Bo in these shoes, and have never had a problem. Could I possibly be using too heavy of a weight for the squats in ME and MIS even though I really don't feel as if the weights are too heavy. Any ideas or suggestions are welcome.

 

[Maximus]

I think you might want to check w/a dr. There are a variety of different knee problems that come from a variety of different causes. Could be shoes, could be age, could be impact level, could be bone or genetic related--a diagnosis from this forum would be just about impossible.

 

[andtckrtoo]

You're right. I was just wondering if anyone had a similar experience. I know it's not age or impact - as running down hill is about the hardest thing on your knees and I don't have any issues with that. I have well developed quad muscles and hams as well so it's not a muscle inbalance either. Guess I'll try a new pair of shoes to see if that resolves the problem (I was thinking maybe runners angle my body wrong for the work outs). If not, I'll go to the doctors.

 

[Kit_]

I get stiff knees when ever I need a new pair of shoes and kind of forget to go buy a pair and there is not spring to the padding left inside. After a day of that, I'm usually at the mall and getting a new pair. For me it takes about a day to really get rid of it, using the new workout shoes.

One think you can do is check your shoes, and see if they still got any sponge/spring left in them. Just stick you hand in them and press as hard as you can. If they still got a little spring then it's time to go see the doctor, if even the pressure you put on them with your hand shows some spring, then it's time to toss them. If the pressure you exert with your arm doesn't show anything spring/spongy, with the weight of your whole body, your legs won't be getting any shock absorbing either.

It could also be the fact that your using running shoes for your Cathe aerobic workouts, most running shoes only have support front and back, as that's how you run, you go forward, and sometime backward depending if you do drills. But their side support is really low. And you may need a pair that has a bit more side support, as that can cause a ton of knee issues. I've seen people dislocate their knee and everything else by trying to use running shoes in an aerobics class. Side-support is usually found in cross-trainers(which usually have all around support), and sometimes tennis shoes(which are usually have the most side support but not front or back support).

Kit

 

[andtckrtoo]

Thanks Kit! I was too stubborn to get proper shoes, but that's just stupid - I KNOW proper shoes and proper equipment is key - I guess I just needed a little convincing. I'm picking up a new pair today.

If that doesn't help, Maximus, I'm off to the doctor. I do like to think I'm invincible - it really ticks me off when I find out I am human... *rolls eyes at herself*

 

[fitxme]

Definitely the shoes...running shoes are made for forward motion and not for the lateral movements contained in Cathe's workouts. You will most likely have a separate pair of shoes for running than you will for other workouts.

Please go to a shoe store that specializes in workout footwear and let them assist you with finding the proper workout shoe for your foot-type and workout needs.

~Marietta

 

[Kit_]

Christine,

Good luck, I hope you find a really good pair, for a good price. But most, don't want to accept how important shoes really are. I think it has to do with price as well as for me they always seem to be super hard to find, I wear a 5 or 5 and 1/2. And I live in the city with the most over weight people in the US. The smallest size that shoe stores carry in stock is a size 8 for women. Unless I drive for about two hours, and go to one of the big malls up north, then I can find a pair of 5 1/2. When I'm up there, I just pick up a few pairs of shoes, basically ever pair the store has, I'm lucky if they have 3 pairs in my size, so I usually take them all.

But after seeing what could happen if you use the wrong shoes and ignore the warnings your body gives you. I test my shoes about every two weeks, as I've found out, not all shoes are made perfectly, some deteroate faster then others, even if they are the same brand, make and model. And the best way to know this is to test offen so you can remember how they felt to your hand and fingers. For me, I don't have a good memory for that sort of thing. And if I wait, then it's a question of, was this spot more spongy or not? Where if I do it every couple of weeks then I can remember where the shoe was really spongy and where it wasn't and have an idea if one part has lost the spring or not, and not have to guess about it.

Good luck with shoe shoping,

Kit

 

[andtckrtoo]

You know - I am kicking myself on this one. I have hiking boots, bike shoes, karate shoes and running shoes. Not to mention water shoes and boat shoes. It's not like I don't realize the importance of proper footwear. I don't know why I didn't think of that when my knees started aching. *slaps forehead*

Just tried on the Ryka Affirm XT. I liked them a lot. They're a bit pricey, but I guess I'll have to bite the bullet - my knees are worth it.