[Vickie]

I know the machine you are talking about and there's no telling what they call it. This is an abdominal crunch apparatus. When you are bending forward from the waist make sure you are engaging your abdominal muscles and letting them lead the motion. Don't get into the habit of pulling the handles or you will create some pain at the top of your shoulder blades.

Compound leg exercises are simply movements that use all of the muscles instead of seperating out their functions. Squats (all of the many kinds) leg presses hack squats, hamstring deadlifts, lunges (my personal favorite for my people) are all compound motions.

Leg extensions and curls are critical to the function of the knee joint relative to the hip action. You are right that arthritis requires that you manage a level of resistence that doesn't over tax the cartlidge. So keep the movements slow and the weight light. By moving slowly you stay in the muscle for a longer period of time which increases the overload. Extend your for a cound of four and lower for a cound of six. Reverse the order on the leg curl, lifting for a coundt of four and lower for a cound of six. Make sure your movements are complete, fully extend your knee but no slamming or bouncing into the top and control your stop at the bottom before you resume. Also make sure you are not over flexing your ankle. It should be comfortably flexed only. ( To save time it's ok to do your legs together but expecially on leg extensions I like to do each leg individually atleast every other workout just to make sure they are progressing equally and not being led by a dominant, right, leg)

There are many theories for arthritis and many causes for every individual. Make sure you are supporting your immune system, and get ting plenty of fish oil (omega 3) in your diet. You could consider some supplements for arthritis to reduce your symptom and slow down the progress of the condition. You should talk to a qualified person at a real health food store, avoid chains and department or drug store products.


Let's see where this takes us. Keep asking questions! Vik