Do I have to run?

[MrsChicken67]

Don't want to sound dim, but do you have to run? Can I fast walk? I have a dodgy knee and prefer to avoid high impact exercise.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Well,, this is a running programme... and running is high impact

But, all is not lost......

Why not head to the linked Walking for Health forum! For folk who love to walk or who cannot run

It is as brilliant as this one and there is a programme to follow, out together by our wonderful administrator Realfoodieclub !

Many if us have used it, especially if through injury we could not run.. or just because we love walking... give it a look see?

healthunlocked.com/walkingf...

[Rignold]

In what way is your knee dodgy? If you have been advised by a medical professional to avoid impact activities such as running, then the cardio benefits you will gain will be outweighed by the damage you will cause. And ignoring the advice of one's health professional is a real **** move (unless I am doing it).

You can get the same cardio vascular health benefits and calorie burn etc from doing other forms of exercise that do not imvolve any impact though: swimming being probably the best, but also spin bike classes and even my nemesis the ellipitical machine, which I find a pointless invention for those of us with sturdy joints, but is a brilliant brilliant piece of kit for those hwo have to avoid impact. My GF is disabled and cannot walk unaided but can power away on the elliptical without any problems.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Rignold]

I found my elliptical totally t oamazing, when I was recovering from the broken ribs in October...!

Gout there again and my legs were really strong..core strength had improved also...

[MrsChicken67 in reply to Rignold]

Thanks for this. Had left menisectomy 7 years ago and whilst the knee is stable, I'm 66 and don't want to tempt fate, as I was told at the time that my cartilage volume was low. I actually do have an elliptical machine; I guess my question really should have been: can I do the programme through fast walking or the elliptical machine and it seems the answer is yes.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Rignold has given some great advice there... certainly a lot to think about

[Realfoodieclub Graduate]

As Oldfloss has said we have a great Walking for health forum. The NHS have brought out a new app called active 10 and it is great for using it to get you into a heart healthy walking pace building up to 30mins a day. It is a great place to start to see how your knee holds up. If you get on with that it is also worth having a little word with a sports physio as I find they give a more balanced view to knee problems and running rather than Gp's. They work more with the muscles surrounding the joints and build them up to protect the joints.

nhs.uk/oneyou/apps#SsqQvJR6...

[Gillma Graduate in reply to Realfoodieclub]

I have loved Active10 - because it's gentle and yet strict (i.e. It tells you when you've done brisk walking - or not - on an hourly basis. You can walk but you can't hide!) I still have it on and look at it occasionally .

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

I used the excuse of dodgy knees for not running for years, after my GP gave me very little sympathy about my pain. I started taking glucosamine and felt so much better that I gave running a go. Starting only on grass, to reduce the impact, now, four years later, my knees are stronger than ever and rarely give me any trouble at all.

[runswithdogs Graduate]

You can certainly use the program for fast walking. One fellow a couple of years back used it for a stationary bike. The principles are the same, build up your tolerance slowly.