IME with osteoarthritis of the knees, any exercise at all is a good thing, but esp. any kind that does not put stress (impact or weight) on the joint. Bicycling is perfect. I would love to bicycle here, but all our hills make it less than ideal for me so I walk 2x a day instead (fast walking but *not* jogging or running.) Oh, and swimming is good, too if you have access. Just get moving and push yourself regularly to go a bit longer or a bit further. It will really help come gardening time!

I bought a bike 2 years ago. It does help - if you can find time to ride. It is also a great way to see the details around town, especially the gardens. You really have to spend around $300 to get a decent ride. Its amazing how much the bike technology has advanced. My new bicycle is just so easy to ride.

I have the same problem Phyl....every February I start out at the gym riding the stationary bike. I did good in Feb but started to slack off in March so I am glad for this reminder! It really does help! Riding outside is much more enjoyable but it's been so cold! I also have been using light weights to strengthen arms and shoulders. I have lots of holes to dig too! That really helps as well as I noticed taking out the garbage this week was mush more effortless than usual!

Phyl - I'm almost 40 and have begun having problems with my knees too. No injury, but a lot of pain when I bend. I saw an orthopedist a few weeks ago who confirmed there is no arthritis, but I'm now seeing a physical therapist. They say my problem is that I need to strengthen my quad muscles so they've given me lots of exercises. Here a few that they've given me. You should ask your doctor if these might work for you.
1. Sit with your back against a wall or flat surface. Legs extended out in front of you. Contract your quad muscles, pressing the backs of your knees down into the floor. Hold each contraction for 5 seconds. Do 2 sets of 15.
2. In the same sitting position, bend your knees so that your feet are flat on the floor. Place a rolled up towel or pillow between your knees. Squeeze the towel and hold for 5 seconds. Again, do 2 sets of 15.
3. Lie flat on your back and do 30 leg lifts with your toes flexed (not pointed). Do each leg separately Don't hold the lift. Just make sure it's a slow, controlled lift that engages your quads.

There are some others that they've given me, but they are more difficult to explain, but you can find many on-line. Look for ones that focus on building your quad muscles since those are the muscles that hold your kneecap in place as you bend, and will take pressure off of your knees and reduce your pain.
Hope it helps - for your sake and mine.
Hope

Hey Phyl:

Sounds like you have lots of good advice already but this has been my experience. My knees bother me I believe due to many, many years working in catering and many, many years of standing on hard floors as a result. I know when I ride my bike my knees still ache but they are stronger. So even though they trouble me some they are more useful as a result of riding the bike more.

Hope this helps.

Kate

Oh I have the same weak knees....sitting and standing from the rose planting position is not a pretty thing anymore. Being an ex-runner, I started some mild cardio on the treadmill. It has helped my knees but instead of jogging to the Stones or Van Halen, I now find myself humming John Philip Sousa...pathetic.

Wow, you all have great insights and I so much appreciate each individual post. I came home from work feeling kinda yucky, so I'm going to bed early. I have to be up at 4 am. Otherwise, I would have addressed each of your responses individually.

Gary is going to try to get one or two of our bikes fixed, if it's worth putting the money into fixing them, instead of buying.

Our youngest daughter (19) works at BJs Wholesale Club part time. We found a really wonderful eliptical exercise machine there one day (but it was VERY expensive). We had so much fun trying it out, I didn't want to get off it! We told her that if she suddenly saw us frequenting the store several times a week, she'd know what we'd been up to! :0) Phyl

I think I'm probably older than most of you, I just turned 65 and my knees have gotten worse as time marches on. Also, had gained weight. I joined Jenny Craig and also joined a woman's gym about 7 weeks ago. The pounds are coming off very slowly. But, I'm loving the gym and the exercise and the way I feel.. My knees ached some when I started doing some of the exercises. I think I just hadn't used some of the surrounding muscles for so long because it went away and now feels much better. I work out 1-1/2 hour, four times a week. I warm up for 10 minutes on the bike, then do 40 minutes of weights/exercise and then 40 minutes of treadmill.

Working in my roses had gotten so hard. I fertilized all of them today and feel more like I used to.. Told my friend it is like a revelation,,,, diet and exercise DO work!