Firming my butt

[leagunner]

I work out about five times a week doing cardio and pilates and I'm happy with my weight, toning, etc. BUT, the issue is my butt! I'm in my early 20s and maybe I'm being irrational, but it's sagging. I only do power walking for cardio, as I have bad knees and can't do strenuous exercises that put too much impact on them. Are there any easy moves I can incorporate into my workout that will firm my butt?

[Lara]

Leagunner--How long have you been doing Pilates? Pilates should help firm the glutes (butt), but does take time, as does any exercise. Are you having to modify any of the movements in Pilates because of your knees? And lastly, when you say that you have "bad knees", what do you mean, i.e., arthritis, ACL restructure, etc? Please let me know this information so I can help you. :)

Lara

[leagunner]

I've been doing pilates for a few years now and it has definitely worked on my abs, but I don't really see a difference in the bottom half (butt and thighs).

As for my knee problem, I don't know exactly what it is. I've seen a doctor and physiotherapist about it, but they're not sure. They say it's not arthritis, but it started about a year ago. When it started I couldn't extend my leg and was in major pain, but that was only the first time it happened. Since then it's usually just a slight pain after walking too much or my knee is fine. I haven't had to modify any of the pilates moves, but I do find cardio is worse and I sometimes have to cut down my time once in a while if it hurts. Mind you, this doesn't happen often. I usually work through the small amount of pain as my doctor said that exercise will probably help whatever it is.

[debbie]

when i feel good i cycle about ten miles a day. my butt is rock solid. my abs aren't because of this thing i had with it but when i rode my bike for miles it was not in bad shape. it's not hard on the knees either.
good luck
ps i do pilates it all depends on what level your on in order to see a difference. i didn't notice anything on winsor pilaltes because i was already past the level but jennifer kries is a bit harder, she works alot on the butt.
hope this helps :)

[Stacy]

Not sure what sort of knee conditon you have but maybe try putting the treadmill at a high incline, if it doesn't bother them of course.

[summer]

Sounds like the ligaments around your knees might be a little weak, and that sometimes your knees 'lock' or gets 'trapped', hence the pain. You didn't happen to do ballet or gymnastics when you were younger did you?? I have the same problem with my knees and back, and sometimes ankles, becasue of my previous training. I actually love running, but i have to make sure I really warm up first and shoes are very important to me. I can't run on inclines or hard surfaces either, as it aggravates my ankles and knees, so location is very important. Basically, I go to the track..as the running conditions there are perfect for me! Flat, no uneven surface, soft..

I can also recommend swimming and squeeze butt exercises (oops..I think it's called squats, as Lara told me, but squeeze butts are much more fun to say). Ergo machines is also fun to do if you have the right technique. Ellipticals can also benefit. Not too much stress on the knees.

Hope this helps.

[Penny]

do you have access to a step trainer? the kind where you stand on it and climb like your were walking up the stairs? those are excellent for butt firming, as well as the backs of your legs, your quads, thighs, pretty much everything below your waist. i would think that it would be safe for your knees, not sure though. HTH :o Penny

[sxybug]

Sounds like the ligaments around your knees might be a little weak, and that sometimes your knees 'lock' or gets 'trapped', hence the pain.

Hmmm....I have to respectfully disagree with this statement. If a ligment is "weak" then the stability of the joint is greatly decreased. The knee is a very complicated joint.

Leagunner: How did this injury occur?

[summer]

I agree the knee is a complicated joint, and that you lose the stability of the joint when you ligament is weak, hence why it can move out of place and causes pain. I had similar problems as described, which is caused by my earlier training of gymnastics and ballet. My knee feels 'locked' or 'trapped' after long periods of walking or running, and gradually gets better throughout the day if I rest and do some stretches. My orthopods diagnosed the problem and I had continous physio because of it to strengthen my joints. So, yes, I think it may be one of the possibilities.

[leagunner]

I think cycling or the stair walker might help, as my knee can probably handle those. I find that it's hitting the hard surface of pavement, etc, that harm it, so even a treadmill can hurt. The machine I have at home is like an elliptical but it doesn't go around in circles. It's basically walking, but your feet never leave the platform, just kinda of rocks along. Hard to explain, but it really works well.

As for the knee injury, not sure how it happened, as I didn't do anything unnatural, but the doctor says it might have been twisting the wrong way or doing too much at once. The possibility of it being a ligament was one of the
problems, but I was never sent for x-rays, or anything like that. But when it first happened, it was swollen, was on crutches, etc.

[debbie]

have you seen the commercials with the knee thermal care. you can put these on to sooth your knees. i don't think i would suggest using them during exercise since they could numb the nerves but aftwards it might give you some relief.
good luck to you hope you knees get stronger. :)