How To: Strengthen your knees

Your knees support much of your weight. Exercise can keep your knees healthy by strengthening the muscles surrounding the joints. Strengthen your knees with this helpful tips.

You Will Need:
• Strength exercises
• Joint supplements (optional)

Step 1: Strengthen quadriceps
Do quadriceps exercises. Strong quads make for strong knees. Sit in a chair, back straight, and place a rolled towel under your knees.

Step 2: Lift leg to horizontal position
Slowly lift one leg until it is horizontal to the ground, hold it for three seconds, and then slowly return the leg to the beginning position. Repeat with your opposite leg, working up to three sets of 12 to 15 repetitions.

Step 3: Perform quad leg lifts
Perform quad leg lifts by lying flat on your back on the floor. Bend one knee to a 90-degree angle.

Step 4: Lift straight leg
Lift the straight leg slowly until it is parallel with the bent knee, hold it for three seconds, then slowly return it to the floor. Perform this 10 times, and then repeat with your opposite leg, working up to 10 repetitions.

Step 5: Perform quad squats
Perform 12 to 15 quad squats by slowly squatting, keeping your knees at a wider than 90 degree angle. Hold the position for one second, and then slowly return to a standing position.

Step 6: Strengthen hamstrings
Do hamstring exercises, which will help strengthen your knees. While on your stomach, place your left foot on your right heel.

Step 7: Lift right heel
Slowly lift your right heel up while resisting with your left foot. Hold the position for 10 seconds and return to the beginning position. Complete 10 repetitions; then repeat with your other leg.