Posts: 4,847
4/4/13 7:15 P

I know this is an old thread,but a good one. I have no ACL in 1 knee & I've torn the other in the past.Plus have RA...I really love Zumba,but it IS hard on the knees! I have to modify,but it
bumms me out-really love when instructors limit the jumps! But everyone is cool-you do what
you can-I have a great instructor!

Pounds lost: 30.0

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9/12/10 9:07 P

I wear knee braces on both knees. Let me go see what kind they are... ::trots down the stairs to add steps to her pedometer and to get a bottle of water::

Mueller Self-Adjusting Knee Stabilizer (Maximum Support Level - #6463) I got them at my local Walmart.

I can do everything everybody else is doing while wearing them. I pop them off and put them on the floor in front of me during the cool down/stretching.

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Posts: 5,068
9/8/10 12:13 A

I have a very similar issue... my knees are kinda mad at my Zumba addiction!


I also think that cross training is the best advice, but I know, hard to live by! Zumba is really the BEST!!!

LOVE IT!

current weight: 133.0

138 135.5 133 130.5

128

Posts: 7
8/13/10 3:01 P

I've got a patella that likes to slide in and out of place, which creates an issue for me with some of the steps, like the reggaeton bounce in particular. I have a special brace for my knee, but it limits my movement, so I've been trying out using an ACE bandage to keep my kneecap where it needs to be, and that seems to be working out pretty well.

Posts: 58
7/19/10 8:51 P

Ugh, i know how you feel. My knees have just started giving me trouble.
I have to remember to stretch my quads far more frequently. You should too! Also, keep an eye on how the majority of people or the instructor places their feet for certain movements. It's very helpful.

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7/13/10 7:50 P

Good for you. The main thrust of Zumba is just to move. If you cannot do the movement just move in place. It is all about keeping your motion going. Good for you.

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7/11/10 9:29 A

On of the greatest things I love about Zumba is how you can adapt it for your ability. I have knee problems also, but when they are really bothering me I don't drop as deep into the lunges or squats. I also know when we do any twist to only go so far. I also know that I have to watch how I do my squats or I will aggravate it. Keep icing it, and try modifing the steps that seem to bother it and let us know how it is going.
Carol in KS

Posts: 249
7/7/10 7:47 P

My shins hate Zumba so I can't do the jumps as much

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Posts: 35
3/21/10 3:33 P

I have knee problems too. One thing you can do is to go see your health care provider and tell him/her what's going on. A good provider will help you figure out what the exact problem is, and how to minimize damage/recover function.

I have to wear a brace that limits lateral (side-to-side) movement. I can still twist and jump, but it prevents my knee from going further to the side than I want it to.

Sandy is exactly right, it is really, really easy to damage your knee with squats if you aren't keeping your knee behind your ankle. Good luck, and I hope you can keep going to Zumba!

Posts: 1,339
3/19/10 4:22 P

You may have to just modify the twist part. I have a few students (who have had knee surgeries) who do 2 steps or stand in place and clap rather than twist. They just join back in when the twist part is over.

Try modifications...it beats giving it up altogether!

Good luck & talk soon!

Posts: 5
3/19/10 4:15 P

MOTtOWNMOM, Thank you I will try and do the ice and I have thought of the brace but I didn't think it would allow me to twist.

Posts: 5
3/19/10 4:13 P

WEBSAM, I am probably doing it wrong because I'm afraid of my weight pulling me back and falling..lol..However I do thing it has a lot to do with the twisting and jumping. I don't know I just want it to go away. I refuse to give up Zumba but I don't want a major injury either.

Posts: 1,339
3/19/10 12:16 P

Take care of your knees!

I ice my knees sometimes after Zumba and that helps. I also have friends who wear a knee brace which helps them.

Good advise WebSam!

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3/18/10 5:56 P

When you bend your knees for squatting moves, are you squatting properly? That means that your butt goes back and down, and your knees should not extend over your toes...in fact, they should be immediately over top of your ankles, and your knee and down should be as straight up and down as possible.

Here's a photo of someone doing it right.
busywomensfitnessblog.com/wp-content/uploa
ds/2009/01/body-weight-squats-300x274.
jpg

When I started Zumba, I had knee issues too, and I had NO idea I was doing this wrong.

current weight: 155.0

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Posts: 5
3/18/10 5:31 P

I've been doing Zumba for about a month now. After the first class I was hooked sometimes taking the class twice a day. Just last week my knees started being in pain and I did some research and it seems to be very common in Zumba. I've tried resting my knees and all types of ointments. Bought new sneakers and I went back today to Zumba and had to leave half way through the class. Does anyone have any suggestions.