Try these 4 cardio workouts that are easy on your knees and melt that fat away

If you are someone who struggles with knee pain, don’t lose your sleep over your inability to do vigorous workouts. We’ve got you 4 low-impact cardio exercises that will work like magic!
A woman cycling to work
These cardio exercises are easy on the knees. Image courtesy: Shutterstock
Geetika Sachdev Published: 13 Nov 2020, 12:00 pm IST
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If you’re someone who wants to lose weight, but is terrified of vigorous cardio activities because of your knees, we hear you. There are many people, who are unable to perform all kinds of exercises, because their knees do not support them. It could either be due to an old or new injury, or some other reason—but whatever be the case, cardio can flare up symptoms, and that’s not too encouraging.
For one, we know running is a complete no-no, because it’s pretty tough on the knees. That’s why we’ve got you a list of low-impact exercises that help you stay active, and take care of your knee too!

So, here we go:

1. Swimming

If you’re someone who loves water and doesn’t want to miss out on cardio, then there’s nothing that can beat a good swim. It’s low-impact, versatile and burns calories fast. And the best part, it’s a full-body workout. So whether you prefer the butterfly stroke or backstroke, make sure to include swimming as part of your fitness regimen.

Let us share a little secret: freestyle, which is supposed to be the fastest stroke, can burn 100 calories every 10 minutes, much more than jogging.

low-impact cardio exercises
Spare your knees with these low-impact cardio exercises. Image courtesy: Shutterstock
2. Elliptical trainer

You might prefer a treadmill, but if your knees are not as strong, we suggest you go for the elliptical trainer. That’s because your feet never leave the pedals, and that reduces the risk of injury to your knees, back, neck or hips. It’s also a great form of cardio, which means you can burn a whole lot of calories!

You can push yourself a little more to test your endurance.

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3. Cycling

You might enjoy cycling outdoors or have a stationary bike at home, whatever may be your preference, this low-impact exercise not just helps to burn calories but will also improve your knee strength and flexibility.

You can try and avoid the hilly terrain, if your knees are in bad shape. But always make sure you use resistance when you cycle. So what is the right resistance, you may ask? Well, there really is no right answer. Low resistance is good for those who are just venturing into fitness, as it allows you to start building your stamina without any sort of over-exertion. Medium and high resistance is better for those who have higher fitness levels.

low-impact cardio exercises
Cycling is a great way to lose weight and have fun. Image courtesy: Vidhi
4. Step-ups

You can try this fun workout and lose calories along the way! It’s a low-impact cardio workout, and see a difference in no time. Step up onto a bench, and step with your right foot. Tap your left foot on the top of the step, and then lower. As you step up, your knee should be directly over your ankle, so that you can protect your knees.

So ladies, are you all set to try these cardio exercises? We hear a resounding YES!

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About the Author

An independent writer and journalist, Geetika loves sharp and fresh humour, just like her coffee! If not writing, you'll find her cafe-hopping and raiding the best book stores in town. ...Read More

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