Sore Knees and Flat Feet
by Kelly Rowland
I have seen a Pilates machine for sale and would like to give it a go but am not sure if I will be able to use it. Jennifer's Response: I have many clients who use Pilates Equipment that have had knee replacements and also have arthritis joint pain in the knees and have much success with reformer exercises footwork exercises. The good thing about using the Pilates reformer or the Wunda Chair is that it is low impact and low stress on the joints, which makes it about as safe as doing water workouts on the joints. Most of the leg strengthening exercises can be done lying with the use of spring tension, doing this stretches and strengthens the muscles that support the knee joint at the same time without putting undo pressure right in the joint. I too have flat feet and the footwork positions on the reformer and wunda chair help to strengthen and correct my feet while correcting the posture of the legs all the way up into the pelvis. Sometimes the footbar can be a little hard. You can wrap it or cushion it as much as you need to make it comfortable for you to do the footwork. I recently wrote a Foot Ebook that has some wonderful exercises to stretch and strengthen your feet including those that can help with flat feet or fallen arches. Check out the new Foot Ebook: Treat Your Feet, by going here. The great thing about the reformer is...you are working on your feet, knee, and leg strengthening all at the same time! I think you will be very pleasantly surprise at how much better your knees will feel as you can safely strengthen the muscles that support the joint. It's a great machine and if you can find one at a good price go for it! Check out my Reformer upper and lower body workouts by clicking here. Avoid doing the feet in straps exercises until your knees are feeling better. Check out the Pilates Chair Workout here. Click here to read or post comments. |
