Strength Training With Knee Pain: What Can You Adjust?

The first question isn't which exercise to choose—it is what may be causing the knee pain. Amy Hudson and Dr. James Fisher distinguish discomfort associated with different activities and injuries, and emphasize medical guidance when pain persists or interferes with daily life. Their discussion separates taking a break from aggravating activities from assuming that every form of strength training is off the table.

Fisher outlines options that may help tailor training: working the opposite leg, narrowing the movement range, slowing repetitions, or producing force without moving the joint. Hudson explains how exercise settings can accommodate a person's needs. They also compare isolated leg exercises with multi-joint movements and discuss why injury history matters when considering exercise selection.

Key Topics

• Why the location and cause of knee pain matter
• When knee pain warrants medical guidance
• Training the opposite leg and cross-education
• Adjusting range of motion, speed, and intensity
• Isometric exercise and muscular support for the knee
• Leg extensions, leg presses, and injury-specific considerations

Chapters

• 00:00 — Strength Training and Knee Pain: Introduction
• 00:52 — Listener Question: Can I Train With Knee Pain?
• 01:38 — Understanding the Knee Joint
• 02:43 — Types of Knee Pain and When to Seek Guidance
• 05:15 — The Muscles Around the Knee and the Goal of Training
• 06:23 — Training the Other Leg and Adjusting Movement Range
• 07:36 — Slower Movement, Isometrics, and Joint Support
• 09:42 — Tailoring Speed, Range, and Intensity
• 10:51 — Leg Extensions, Squats, and Joint Forces
• 12:40 — Injury Considerations and Muscles Working Together
• 14:02 — Adjusting the Lowering and Lifting Phases
• 14:53 — Closing Thoughts and Listener Questions

Next Steps

• Learn more about The Exercise Coach and find a studio near you: https://exercisecoach.com
• Submit a strength, health, or well-being question for a future episode: https://strengthchangeseverything.com
• Follow Strength Changes Everything on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/strength-changes-everything/id1536169608
• Watch Strength Changes Everything on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJn2uiUCAumWilp3k_eTk2Q

Important information

This podcast and blog are provided to you for entertainment and informational purposes only. By accessing either, you agree that neither constitute medical advice nor should they be substituted for professional medical advice or care. Use of this podcast or blog to treat any medical condition is strictly prohibited. Consult your physician for any medical condition you may be having. In no event will any podcast or blog hosts, guests, or contributors, Exercise Coach USA, LLC, Gymbot LLC, any subsidiaries or affiliates of same, or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, or agents, be responsible for any injury, loss, or damage to you or others due to any podcast or blog content.