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Anonymous
Hey /fit/, maybe you can help my dad out. Apparently, he's joined a gym this year and goes on a regular basis. He's had bad knees for years and is worried about hurting himself doing cardio (which is what he mainly wants to do). What are some good low-impact exercises he can do?
>> Anonymous
Someone said last night that pointing your toes outward can put undue strain on your knees. I do this, and I have bad knees, so I'm going to make a conscious effort to overcompensate for it and see how it goes.
>> Anonymous
Rowing, cycling, steps.
>> Anonymous
>>10970
The reason is technically not because of the foot angle, but the direction the knee bends over the foot. The knee should not bend over the inside of the foot, this is what causes ligament damage (eg. when doing Squats, the knees should always go to the outside). The reason walking/running with toes out causes such a problem is because your knees will typically still move directly foreward, thereby bending to the inside of your feet. The ideal movement is to keep your knees moving directly in line with your feet, or slightly out is ok. In walking/running this means toes forward. In squats this means a broad stance with toes slightly outward, so that when you squat down your knees move out over the feet directly - but not past the toes.
>> Anonymous
Tell him to take up yoga, it'll show half way decent weight loss results but whats more importantly, it'll teach you everything you need to know about posture and stretching.

THEN go do cardio.
>> Anonymous
Tell your dad to try crunches. They strengthen the core and will help him lose weight faster.
>> Anonymous
elliptical machine
>> Anonymous
is right