Which dvd would work for me?

[valereee]

Hi, Cathe! I have knees so bad that I can't do anything that puts pressure on them while they're in motion -- no lunges, steps, plies, squats. I'm always on the lookout for workout videos that will work for me. I don't mind skipping a few such moves, but if a video relies heavily on them, it probably isn't right for me. Can you suggest some of your videos/dvds for me? Thanks!

Val

 

[clareMc]

Val:

I am afraid I think all of Cathe's weight training tapes and DVD's use squats, lunges, step ups to a large degree. I am not sure you can avoid them. Perhaps the new "Legs and GLutes" is less dependent than any others on those types of moves, but there are still some in there, both lunges, and step ups, side ones.

If your knees are that dodgy, you may need a reality check. Cathe's DVD's may not be for you. All her cardio, more or less, is high impact.

The best exercise that will whip your whole body into shape without placing pressure on your knees is swimming. I think it's the only one. If you swam regularly it will tone your shoulders, back, arms and core, the power to propel the body forwards comes from the legs and glutes, that's ideal, and your heart and lungs will be in terriffic shape. Then if you wanted to, for extra toning, you could do the floor work section from either PS legs and/or the floorwork with stability ball from Pyramid Lower Body, where the leg lifts will trim those inner and outer thighs, hamstrings and glutes. This would be a nice compliment to a swimming or Aquaerobics program.

Other than that, I think you need to book some sessions with a sports specialist/trainer to let him or her guide you in making exercise choices that will be safe and effective for you.

I am sorry if this was not what you wanted to hear, but knees are just not to be messed with.

There are other types of workouts too that can strengthen legs without pressure, like ashtanga yoga, dance, ballet? Ballet practice exercises are done from static position, using only body weight. Have you seen a dancer's legs?!!! Chiiiiiiiiiizelled!!!

Hope some of this helps,

Clare

 

[wendyloo]

Hi! (Sorry--I'm not Cathe and I shouldn't be responding on her Ask Cathe forum!)

I have issues with my knees as well, although probably not as severe as yours. I have all of Cathe's weight training tapes, and modify them to suit my needs. However, I am able to throw in squats and lunges about once a week or so without trouble (as long as I have kept my cardio sessions mostly low or moderate impact). So, my suggestions might not work for you...

In place of squats, I do wall sits. Put your back up against a wall, or against a stability ball which is against the wall at back height, and squat down into position. As Cathe and crew do squats, hold your squat position, or as an alternative, simply bend forward at the waist as you remain in squat position: bend forward from the waist with a straight back as they squat down, and bend back up to neutral as they stand. If you do these correctly (excuse my poor description) they can really be killer on you quads, since you are holding the squat the whole time...

For lunges and step ups, I substitute a move I first saw on a Kathy Smith tape. They are similar to one legged deadlifts, but I think they target the glutes extremely well. Stand on your right leg with the toes of your left foot resting lightly on the floor slightly behind you. Lower down, without bending your knee (just have it slightly bent, not locked out, from the beginning) as if you are going to pick up something from the floor. You are bending from the waist here. Straighten back up. Keep doing these as the girls do lunges, then switch legs when they do. Although these don't target the quads, you are getting good all over leg work and balance work, (as you get better with balance, lift that rear leg up behind you as you bend down, and only lightly touch behind you if you begin to lose balance), and you will hit your hamstrings and glutes quite well.

Cathe's PSLegs, her Pyramid Lower Body, and her new Legs and glutes all have excellent floor work routines. String them all together for a great workout, and use the above substitution moves for the squats, lunges and step ups if you feel they will work for you and not compromise your tender knees!

Good luck
Wendy

 

[valereee]

Wendy, yeah, when I find a dvd I really like that has some lunges, squats, etc., I usually just sub the wall sit you described, though I've never tried the leaning forward idea -- sounds good. I'll try the other move you mentioned -- I really do (as you can imagine) need glutes work. In another ten years I can get my knees replaced, but until then I'd prefer not to have droopy @ss!

Thanks!

Val

 

[valereee]

ClareMc, yeah, I know it's possible none of Cathe's videos will work for me, and that's fine. I have to look a long time to find ones that work. I've found the Winsor Pilates Bun & Thigh is one that is all matwork, and only two of the moves involve movement of the knee. A friend had mentioned Cathe's "newer videos" as ones that rely less on step and lunge work and that I might want to check out, so I thought I'd come see whether there was something Cathe would recommend as a good one to try first.

I've never tried ballet work, because I figure a plie is as good as a squat. I have tried various yoga classes, but most do seem to involve pressure and motion on the knees at some point. I do swim, but it's not my favorite thing (nothing to distract you from the tedium of the workout <g>), so I'm always looking for alternatives.

Val