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11 Exercises that Help Decrease Knee Pain

Need Pain-Free Knees? Start Here!

-- By Jen Mueller, Certified Personal Trainer
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If your knees are giving you problems, and you feel like the Tin Man from "The Wizard of Oz" when getting out of bed, you’re not alone. Nearly 50 million Americans feel the same way.

Knees are the most commonly injured joints in the body. Considering that when you simply walk up stairs, the pressure across your knee joints is four times your body weight, it isn't surprising. Simple, everyday wear and tear can end up hurting your mobility.

But it’s not too late. Like a rusty door hinge, with care and maintenance, you knees can be trouble free. Even if you already experience problems, exercising the muscles surrounding the knee joints— Quadriceps (front of thigh), Hamstrings (back of thigh), Abductor (outside thigh), and Adductor (inside thigh)—will help make your knees stronger and less susceptible to injury. Exercise keeps your joints from stiffening and provides needed support, making movement easier and reducing pain.

Here are some exercises you can do to both stretch and strengthen the knee area:

STRETCHES
  1. Chair knee extension: Sitting in a chair, rest your foot on another chair so the knee is slightly raised. Gently push the raised knee toward the floor using only leg muscles. Hold for 5 - 10 seconds and release. Repeat 5 times on each leg.
  2. Heel slide knee extension: Lie on your back, with left knee bent and left foot flat on floor. Slowly slide the left heel away from your body so both legs are parallel. Hold for 5-10 seconds, return to starting position. Repeat 5 times on each leg.
  3. Knee flexion: Sitting in a chair, loop a long towel under your foot (resting on the floor). Gently pull on the towel with both hands to bend the knee, raising your foot 4 - 5 inches off the floor. Hold for 5 - 10 seconds, then release. Repeat 5 times on each leg.
  4. Hamstring stretch: Standing, put one foot in front of you, toes up. With hands on the small of your back (or one hand holding a chair for balance), bend the opposite knee and hip (not your lower back), until you feel the hamstrings stretch. The upper body comes forward at the hip. Hold for 5 -10 seconds, then release. Repeat 5 times on each leg.
STRENGTH TRAINING
  1. Wall slide: Leaning with your back against a wall, bend your knees 30°, sliding down the wall, then straighten up again. Move slowly and smoothly, using your hands on the wall for balance. Keep feet and legs parallel, and do not allow knees to go out over the toes. Repeat 5 -10 times.
  2. Bent-Leg Raises: Sitting in a chair, straighten one leg in the air (without locking the knee). Hold for about one minute. Bend your knee to lower the leg about halfway to the floor. Hold for 30 seconds. Return to starting position. Work up to 4 reps on each leg.
  3. Straight-Leg Raises: Sitting in a chair, rest your foot on another chair. Lift the foot a few inches off the chair while keeping your leg straight. Hold for 5 -10 seconds. Return to resting position. Repeat 5 -10 times. (Also work on increasing the time, up to 2-3 minutes if possible.)
  4. Abductor Raise: Lie on your side, propped on one elbow. The leg on the floor bent, the other straight. Slowly lift the top leg, hold for 5 -10 seconds, then lower. (Ankle weights will increase the intensity). Do 1-3 sets with 12-15 repetitions each. Remember to rest in between sets.
  5. Hamstring Curl: Stand with the front of your thighs against a surface (a table or wall). Flex one knee up as far as is comfortable. Hold for 5 - 10 seconds, then lower slowly. If possible, do not touch the floor between repetitions. (Ankle weights will increase the intensity.) Do 1-3 sets with 12-15 repetitions each. Remember to rest in between sets.
  6. Step-Ups: Stand in front of a step, like a sturdy bench or stairs, about two feet high (or less if necessary). Step up onto the support, straighten your knees fully (without locking them) and step down. Maintain a steady pace. If you are comfortable with your balance, pump your arms while doing this exercise. Start with 1 minute, slowly building your time. Gets your heart pumping too!
  7. Stationary Bike: Biking is a good way to increase strength and range of motion. Make sure you have the right positioning of the legs. At the bottom of the pedal stroke, the bend in the knee should be 15 degrees. Start with 10 minutes and slowly increase your time.
Depending on your current level of activity and mobility, a good start is 3 stretching and 3 strengthening exercises, 3-4 times a week. Stretching can be (and should be) done everyday if possible to prevent stiffness and achy joints. These stretches can be done a few times a day if needed.
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About The Author

Jen Mueller Jen Mueller
Jen received her master's degree in health promotion and education from the University of Cincinnati. A mom and avid marathon runner, she is a certified personal trainer, certified health coach and advanced health & fitness specialist. See all of Jen's articles.

Member Comments

  • GLORIAMAJDI
    I do wish there were pictures, I am not sure how some of these should be done. - 6/11/2013 9:42:29 AM
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  • KEPARKER13
    Would love to see demonstrations of these exercises. I have trouble picturing many of them in my head:-) Thanks! - 6/11/2013 9:03:22 AM
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  • LEANMEAN2
    Thanks for sharing. - 6/7/2013 6:35:20 AM
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  • PCW452002
    I would also suggest that people with knee pain get a regular massage, at least once a month, more if you are very active (a runner, cyclist etc). Keeping the surrounding muscles of the legs loose and flexible goes a long way to helping knee pain. Also use a form roller on your IT bands on the sides of your thighs, this also helps to keep knee pain away. Very painful but quite effective. - 6/6/2013 1:06:08 PM
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  • CARDSFANTOO
    question: the left side of my right knee is bone to bone. will these exercises help me with the constant pain in my right knee? thank you - 6/6/2013 9:16:41 AM
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  • CELTICMAID
    mmmmm. thAnks to all for advice, it is true that regular is best, slow is essential and not pushing too hard or being competitive either....I just have to go as far as my knees say........
    thanks for info. on sites - I will peruse at my leisure, and with pleasure and i am a poet and I did not know it! - 6/6/2013 8:03:10 AM
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  • CELTICMAID
    sometimes in bed - heart rest....post asthma attacks etc. so knees do get more stiff at those times, just coming out of scare and up gingerly - knees are very stiff and painful so I have joined in some of the wonderful chair exercises today, not too much - these are the sort of thing to build on slowly i think?
    All tips gratefully read and tried out carefully. Over-exercising causes mayhem too - the trick is to find my happy medium - weather etc. changes things - bit of a juggle but still walk with stick now though (falls) and just keep on going eh! - 6/6/2013 7:50:16 AM
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  • DELLMEL
    Great article. I need this now for my knee. - 6/5/2013 7:36:59 AM
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  • SH9719
    My minor issues went away when I strengthened my quads lifting and swinging kettlebells. - 5/27/2013 8:52:28 PM
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  • PHATNOMO11
    Very informative article. - 5/27/2013 8:09:25 PM
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  • RUTHXG
    If I neglect lunges & squats for a week or more, my left knee especially starts hurting as I go down stairs. It's amazing how the pain goes away shortly after I return to regular lunges & squats! I'm nearly 59 & SO thankful to be able to address the problem through exercise. - 5/27/2013 10:29:06 AM
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  • BETHARTEMIS
    These stretches and exercises look great and I'm excited to try some of them. I suffer from knee paina and have had surgery on my knee twice. I cannot use the stationary bike (or elliptical) without experiencing severe knee pain. A trainer recommended using an arc trainer at the gym because it does not force the knee to rotate. If your gym has one, it's an excellent way to get in some low impact, pain-free cardio. - 5/27/2013 9:36:53 AM
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  • BAILEYBRIGADE
    These are a lot of great exercises. Thanks. I think it also helps to be able to see the exercise instead of just reading about it. Here's a great video that also demonstrates a few of these exercises: http://youtu.be/Q
    v9XGskry4M - 3/21/2013 9:13:36 PM
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  • BLUZCHICK
    Many of these were part of my physical therapy after my knee surgery - 1/18/2013 1:04:58 PM
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  • FISHER011
    Simple , easy exercises that work-Thank you! - 1/13/2013 5:27:16 PM
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