Five easy exercises to avoid knee pain and strengthen ageing joints – a video guide
It’s never too early to look after your knees, so we’ve found a fitness trainer to guide you through some quick and simple motions to make sure you keep that spring in your step
Knee pain afflicts many of us for many reasons: poor posture, lack of movement resulting in weak surrounding muscles, or more serious complaints such as osteoarthritis.
Even if you just suffer from general knee stiffness, take it seriously. Because we live so much longer now, many endure limited movement due to weak musculature and, later in life, require knee replacement surgery.
There are, however, preventive measures to strengthen the knee area, ensuring it stays stay strong and healthy for as long as possible. Although genetics play a role in how we age, there is no question that we can help preserve our physical capacity with regular movement to lubricate joints; resistance training to increase muscle tone; and working with proper alignment to reduce joint strain and torque. It’s never too early to look after your knees, even in the smallest way.
Here are five easy daily exercises to help put a spring in your step. The key is to ensure a neutral spine throughout (no arching of the back; core is engaged) and to focus on the muscles around the knees as you move. Apart from knee rolls, repeat each one 10 times on each side.
1. Squats (in parallel, medial and lateral position)