Perhaps it’s a recent injury, or the after-effects of an old one. Perhaps it’s a chronic condition like arthritis, or just old age. Whatever the reason, you’re the not-so-proud owner of one or more bad knees.
When you’re faced with chronic knee pain or a loss of functionality, exercise can seem like more trouble than it’s worth. But when you choose the right fitness equipment, you may find exercise to be surprisingly comfortable, and you may ultimately reduce the pain and restore the function in your knees.
Why exercise is critical for people with bad knees
Bad knees are right up there with back and nerve issues in terms of how debilitating they can be. You rely on your legs to get around, and when using them becomes difficult or painful, it’s natural to avoid doing so.
But no matter whether we’re talking injury rehabilitation or arthritis, the only way to improve bad knees is to use them.
More broadly, exercise is critical for anyone hoping to lead a long and happy life. It helps us feel our best, both physically and mentally, and ensures our bodies function as they were intended.
What types of cardio exercise are best for bad knees?
With all those benefits in mind, what is the best cardio workout option for people with bad knees?
There are two answers: upper-body cardio and low impact cardio.
- Upper body cardio is cardiovascular exercise (i.e. exercise that gets you puffing) that focuses effort above the hips, such as rowing and swimming.
- Low impact cardio is cardiovascular exercise that minimises the impacts felt by your body, while still letting you enjoy an intense workout, such as cycling and using an elliptical.
The benefits of these types of exercise are many and varied. They are more accessible to people with knee issues, they reduce the risk of injuring or aggravating those knees, and they offer greater levels of comfort and enjoyment. And for all those reasons they can drive better fitness outcomes.
5 low impact cardio machines for bad knees
1. Rowing Machine
You don’t need to hit the water to enjoy the challenging upper-body workout that is rowing – a well-built rowing machine will simulate the feeling of gliding through water surprisingly well. While these machines are capable of a full-body workout, how much you use your legs – or whether you use them at all – is completely up to you.
The rolling seat offers little to no resistance, so you can take things gentle on the knees should you choose to. In terms of air rowers vs water rowers, both types of machine offer much the same experience, they just generate resistance in different ways.
2. Exercise bike
Exercise bikes are the perfect solution for anyone looking to engage their knees in a less impactful way. Unlike a jarring activity like running, or even riding a bike on the road or a bike path, cycling indoors removes all impacts and moves your knee joint in a smooth, circular way.
Upright and recumbent exercise bikes enhance the comfort further, by exchanging the hunched posture of spin bikes and road bikes for a more relaxed and comfortable position. And when you choose a machine like the Matrix U30 Upright Bike, you can even bring the outdoors indoors – Matrix models can simulate a scenic ride via a large augmented reality screen.
3. Elliptical/cross-trainer
For the most part the best cardio equipment for bad knees will either limit the movement of your legs or place you in a seated posture to take weight off your knees. Elliptical or cross-training machines are an exception – they simulate running or jogging, but swap harsh impacts for smooth and fluid motion. They also get your arms involved, making for more of a full-body workout.
Perhaps the best elliptical for bad knees is the Matrix E30 Suspension Elliptical. The wheel-and-track-free design totally eliminates impacts to offer the most comfortable upright exercise that someone with bad knees could ask for.
4. Ski machine
sees you use your whole body to pull handles from above your head down to the ground. You then repeat this motion over and over.
A ski machine is a little like an upright rowing machine – it is capable of engaging your whole body, but like a rowing machine, how much you engage each muscle group is sort of up to you (as long as you retain good technique). This means you can make your SkiErg experience more of an upper body workout, and take it easy on those tender knees.
5. Cable machine
A cable machine takes the idea of a ski machine and expands it. It features cables and pulleys that offer a customisable amount of resistance when you pull on them, and allow you to work any part of your body that you choose.
Cable machines are one of the best cardio machines for knee pain because you don’t have to use your knees at all if you don’t want to. You can totally isolate your upper body, while working out from a seated position that takes all the weight off your knees. It’s an ideal solution for those who suffer from serious knee issues.
GymQuip: low impact cardio specialists
Home to Australia’s largest fitness showroom, at GymQuip we have spent over three decades helping people find the best cardio machine for bad knees, backs, or whatever physical limitations they may face.
Amongst our impressive range you’ll find every piece of equipment you’ll need to reach your goals, from basic accessories like resistance bands and weighted vests, to the world’s most innovative machinery like the Matrix Fitness range.
We are also your home and commercial gym fit-out specialists. We can help you design, fit out and maintain your gym with the perfect equipment for your situation, then we’ll provide all the support you could ever need (additional charges may apply).
Think our Canberra showroom is big? Our online store is even bigger. We can deliver to any address in Australia with a generous shipping and returns policy, and our entire range is covered by our famous price beat guarantee: if you find one of our products cheaper elsewhere, we’ll beat that price.