Knee-friendly work-outs for firming up hamstrings

[KnottedYet]

Knott, would these be good for someone with chrondomalacia (sp?). I may as well start working on my knees/legs/lower body since the other half is so muffed up right now.

Durn tootin'! The hammies and calves (specifically the gastrocs) interlace behind the knee and are major supporters of the knee joint. Strengthening the hammies and the gastrocs (get the gastrocs by rising up and down on your toes or riding a bike) will help support the knee and help keep the groove of the leg bones lined up with the keel of the patella.

Another biggie to help with chondromalacia is kicking up the muscles around the hip (buttocks) so they stabilize the femur better. That goes along with the "hip extension while walking" sneaky hamstring trick. Three for the price of one!

Be sure to hold your lower belly flat and firm to stabilize your pelvis and low back while you do the walking trick, so you don't accidentally extend your lumbar spine instead of your hips.

[OakLeaf]

Wow... welcome back Knott. It's really good to see you. And not just for the free PT advice.

[Trek420]

I'm 53, my job puts the "sed" in sedentary On my cube wall are pages of exercises I can do at my desk (some prescribed by Knott).

If it's slow or I'm working on a simple order or frankly if my caller is boring me to tears I'm staying calm working down that list. My podmates think it's odd that I'll do push ups off the ergonomic desk but I don't care. The effects they have of a long term sedentary lifestyle vs the benefits and gains I've seen towards my own joint issues make it worth it.

I'll add the hamstring super slows, those are tough.