Hi all,

I'm a new runner and I think I must have increased my time/distance too quickly because now my knees are bothering me. I've significantly cut down on my distance and only run a couple days a week and do the elliptical on the other days. But the knee pain persists. Mostly I just notice it at the gym but it's becoming more of a problem the rest of the day too.

I realize I need to address the root of the problem by strengthening my leg muscles and I've started doing lunges, squats and wall sits every other day.

In the meantime I think I might need/like to use a knee brace if I'm going to continue working out (which I'd like to). Any recommendations?

It seems like they fall into 3 categories: the stretchy ones, the bionic/exo-skeletal looking ones and the straps that go just below your knee.

Thanks for any thoughts.

I just started C25k training and now my knee is really bothering me too. I don't have an answer for you but I would like some information too.

I am looking for suggestions also, since I am starting 5k training. Thanks for asking.

Well, it depends on the sort of problem you're having.

If you are having kneecap instability/tracking problems, you'll want something with a hole over the kneecap. This'll help hold the kneecap in place better than a "sleeve" with no cutout. I've found the most stable of these are the neoprene braces with adjustable straps below and above the knee to tighten.

The strap under the knee type of brace can also treat this kind of problem, but I haven't had good experiences with them.

The bionic ones aren't so good unless they are professionally fitted. Metal can dig into your skin, causing issues.

But the type of brace you'll need will really depend on where it hurts, and your doctor will be better able to tell you what you need. You might want to get this checked out.

My doctor sent me for one of the $800 bionic ones (insurance covered it, thankfully!) and it's worthless, so I'm back to the stretchy velcro ones.