Leg Workouts: Toning Thighs and Strengthening Knees

Toning legs and strengthening the knees requires targeted movements like vastus medialis exercises and lying straight leg raises. Discover safe leg workouts for bad knees and learn which cardio machines are best for joint health.

Low section of a man wearing a knee support and holding his injured knee

Exercises After Knee Injury

Published Jul,08 2011 | By Ken Kashubara

Individuals who have suffered knee injuries need to maintain or obtain leg strength in the quadriceps, hamstrings and calf muscles. Simple bodyweight exercises will do the job. In the days following a knee injury, there should be no sprinting or jumping.

Ken Kashubara, author of "Brave New Workouts," owns Kash Fitness in Bloomfield Hills, Mich. As a health and fitness writer, Kashubara has published numerous articles for various magazines, websites, companies and newsletters. After earning his degree from the University of Pittsburgh, where he was a 4-year letter winner in football, Kashubara received personal training certifications from ACE and NASM, as well as a metabolic specialist certification.