Last night I did he 45 minute Mean Machine circuits. This one is basically two circuits done twice each. While not as hard cardiovascularly, it is challenging on the legs and shoulders. Again I made some modifications to a few of the exercises (substituted jump split squats for regular squats and/or stationary lunges). For anyone with knee issues jump split squats may aggravate your knees as I find you have less support when one leg is in front and one stretched out back.
Having said that I guess now is a good time to mention that I suffer from both lower back pain and knee pain, both chronic. My back wasn't too bad unless I shovelled snow for too long, or lifted too many things (I had weak muscles that I now know to keep strong and so my back pain is very manageable now). My knee was first diagnosed as Patella-Femoral Syndrome in 2008 but I didn't have the time or money to do anything so I let it go and continued to run and wear high heels (silly girl!). After having my son 6 years later I got it looked at again and the doctor determined it was bursitis (different doctor each time and I had X-rays done botj times. I had an ultrasound done the second time). The pain wouldn't go away (I had temporary relief) so I went to see a specialist who determined that is was in fact I-T Band Syndrome that I suffered from and that no cortisol injections would be needed and no surgery. Just stretching, ice (or heat if that works better for some people) and trying to find more flat places to run. The trouble with the roads are the grading for water drainage that makes running uneven on each side.
These days I find that strstching and icing my knee tend to dochd trick and this year I'm going to try to see a physiotherapist for more specific exercises and stretches.
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