Like every joint in the human body, the knee is one of those biomechanical marvels that we never think about — until something goes wrong with it.
And then, whether it’s a full ACL blowout or merely a ding against a piece of furniture gone rogue, the knee becomes the center of your universe: Owww, Mommy, make it stop!
Many of us have been there. And many of us will get there eventually.
“You utilize your knees every single day,” says John Morgan, fitness coordinator and trainer at the Downtown YMCA. “To have them injured can seriously impair your mobility and lifestyle.”
But there are simple exercises that can help strengthen and stabilize the muscles and ligaments surrounding the knee. Here Morgan, who is a competitive bodybuilder, demonstrates a half-dozen routines that anyone, no matter their age or degree of athleticism, can use to build a better knee.
He recommends doing three sets of each exercise for 15 repetitions. That’s the goal, though beginners might want to start out with fewer repetitions, especially during the early going.
The equipment needs are minimal. Two of the exercises involve a “Swiss ball,” a lightweight inflated ball available at most gyms and fitness-supply stores.
William Porter: 303-954-1877 or wporter@denverpost.com
