What is up with your knees?
I've had issues starting with my quadricep tendons since last year, likely because my arms were injured so I shifted more towards leg work, and that overdid them. The orthopedic doctor I saw diagnosed it loosely as patellofemoral pain (runner's knee), which is a really nebulous term for general knee pain that can be attributed to all kinds of specific things like how your patella/kneecap is tracking, muscle imbalances, injury/inflammation compensations, tightness, overuse, you name it.
I also switched to a sports chiropractor recently because my last chiro was slacking like hell, so a part of it can also be my body readjusting and having any aforementioned imbalances or tightness coming home to roost because my posture, hips, and leg are reoriented.
A few days ago, I bought some Nordic Lifting soft leg sleeves which seem to be helping over all of the other types, so it at least looks like there could indeed be some tracking problems since this brand actually keeps things secure.
In the mean time, I'm scaling back on legs (again), although I never got very far increasing load tolerance in the first place, but I might continue with the Max Trainer in little spurts after lifting since it seems to be agreeing with my overall leg musculature to keep things in balance.
I have a an arc trainer. It's in the same family ax the Max. I agree that they a great machines. I love them for cross-training.
Nice! I love the movement pattern on these kinds of machines over a traditional elliptical, so now I'm on the lookout for more unique equipment like them.
Having more natural movement arcs and range of motion feels so much better, and the Arc Trainer at least allows that for a similar size to a regular elliptical that still forces you into those more awkward, shorter steps. The Max Trainer is similar, but more of an up and down pattern that you can adjust based on how far you lean forward or backwards, and it's surprisingly easy on the knees.
the Cybex arc trainer? those are fucking awesome. I have the devil's tricyle (Rogue Echo bike - $700 delivered off FB with the windblocker) and a Stairmaster 4400 CL ($200 off FB) - wish I could get a stepmill down into my basement but it is too much disassembly to make it worth it. My best score was two York GHDs for $50 each
if you want a dirt cheap cardio option that will really get you - get a strongman sandbag (sacks without handles) at half your bodyweight or so and do over the shoulder cleans - one every 30s for 10m....whenever I need something quick that's it
I've been trying to find an air bike but
without the moving handles because they always pull on my arms, which then yanks my tendons.
I know some at least have shorter handle travel and I don't think I have nearly the same issues when I tried an air bike like that in one of the few local-ish places, but it was overpriced for not being that great of quality.
Otherwise, I just really like the feel of the air bike over a magnetic one, but especially those stupid wannabe peleton "spinning" bikes that are all over the place. Motherfuckers want to act like they're preparing for the Tour de France with a skinny seat rammed up their ass while bent over like air drag is a thing on a stationary bike, and that's at least 95% of the options out there.
Plus, the air from the wheel blowing back at you feels good, I would just need to find the right one.
