Knee Ability Zero

Where to start? Just turned 70, and have been dealing with bad knees for many, many years, courtesy of 41 years in law enforcement with numerous injuries throughout the years. I dodged surgery early in my career, mainly by declining and working through the pain, doing rehab, and stuffing supplements down my throat. I was not going out on injury retirement, I wanted to retire on my terms. Since retirement, my doctor has put me on notice that, mainly due to my mobility issues, arthritis, and pain (mainly in left knee) that I am a candidate for knee replacement.That's my background. Oh, and I was 80 pounds overweight to boot. After losing close to 60 pounds recently, and still going, I am pleased with a definite mitigation in my knee pain, but not so for my flexibility, strength, etc. In fact, I developed a "mystery pain" in my left leg, radiating from the knee to the ankle. Doctor ruled out DVT and finally said the pain is basically a mystery, possibly nerve related. I heard about the KOT guy at the gym, and researched the concept. I bought this book, frankly expecting it to end up in the attic with all the other broken toys (gizmos "guaranteed" to "cure" the knee pain, strengthen the legs, etc). The book consists of 8 exercises, the first 4 especially being simple, and the last 4 a bit more challenging. In fact, the last 2 exercises I am staying away from for the time being. Anyway, I started slowly, like Patrick advised, and did not overdo any of the exercises. I quickly found Youtube videos (a lot of them) which detail each of these movements (I recommend using them). Within less than a week, my pain and discomfort improved by about 20%, a BIG deal for me. That was about a month ago. Presently I am seeing about an 80% lessening of pain! And my flexibility has improved. I attribute much of this improvement to the strengthening of the muscles around the knees, and hamstring stretching, which was always a problem for me. I also swear by his opening pre-exercise, a simple walking in reverse for about 20 minutes on flat ground. What a difference it made for my balance. Also, I splurged and purchased a pulling harness and a pulling sled for weights (both for well under $100). I waited a couple weeks before trying the sled pull, and believe me, even starting slowly with small weights, it really, really helped.I truly wished these exercises where incorporated in my numerous rehabs my work sent me too, I could have avoided a lot of future injuries, and lived pain-free these past few years. The best advise I can give is that sometimes you have to take matters into your own hands, like I did when I bought this book and seriously started using it. Second piece of advise is that you WILL feel better, and that may cause you to jump the gun and start overdoing the exercises, or thinking you'll be clever and "modify" the exercises (like with more weights, or increasing the angle for more resistance). Don't! Keep it simple, and follow his plan. I look forward to the day I can do the more advanced stretching exercises in the last two exercises.

Had right knee pain for months. Bought this book in December & did the exercises once every other day or so. 1-2 months later, going down stairs didn’t hurt anymore. 2-3 months later, I’m learning to do the Olympic lifts which require full depth squats and the knee is completely fine, not a limiting factor at all. Can’t overstate how much I appreciate this book and exercises!

This is a great idea! I think it actually works. I love fresh thinking and solutions.

Life changing.

I really like what Ben is doing to help people regain, or even create joint mobility without pain. The program has been working for me so far. I don’t get debilitating knee pain, but I’m always being told that I’m going to be needing a knee replacement by the time I’m 35. Being 21, I’m trying to stay away from this while still being able to do activities like snowboarding.I believe in the program but I really can’t see why this book is $22. It’s around 95 pages long and filled with pictures (which is probably where most of the cost goes to), which comes out to about 20-30 pages of reading content. I read through the first 50 pages in less than 30 minutes and was a little disappointed to see that this is simply a starters guide to the program. I was hoping for something a little more in depth behind the “why” of each exercise, rather than a show of what muscles are used during deceleration of certain movements like jumping or sprinting. I personally would like to see citation of studies or something similar to further show why these exercises are beneficial.Regardless, this is a good book to have on hand to keep all the movements centralized, rather than saving a bunch of instagram videos and having to look through those to find what you should/should not be doing.

I developed an overuse knee pain while running a 13 mile Spartan race. I was trying massage, chiro, yoga, stretching, and foam rolling. But couldn't get rid of the pain for a month. Then a friend told me about this program. I did the exercises 3 times a week and in less than 2 weeks, the knee pain was gone. I was able to run again. I've done 3 half marathons this month - no knee pain.

61 and I over did it on a long run ( for me)Six miles and three of it was downhill and I’m sure that’s what did it. I was running fast, which for me was a 9 min pace. I run once a week.The next day…My knee started clicking and it would buckle when I walked intermittently.I thought crap I’ve done it now. Years ago a doctor and a PT said I tore my ACL. I did some PT therapy and it got better, I was back to 100% after months of gradual therapy and no activity ( sucks)I’ve hurt it another time playing softball. Over a 20 year period I’ve hurt it three times pretty bad.I stumbled on a YouTube guy “Knee over toes”Joe Rogan had praised him. I started with some simple exercises and it was almost instantaneously improvement!He had a video on clicking knees and on on buckle knees. So I did those exercises. I should say I barely did what he said, meaning if he said three sets of 25. I did one set of fifteen …to start. Twice a week work outs. With some sporadic reps during the week. Nice thing is you don’t really need anything. And there’s lots of variety.At home or work I’d use a cowbell or a weight that I would attach by an ace bandage, on top of my shoelaces.My workouts where at the gym. I’d play his videos and do the exercises at the gym. Sometimes using gym equipment.I’m at 100% again!!! This $hi; worked for me.Im drinking the cool aid now. All his recommendations say if it hurts stop. How smart is that. I used to stretch into pain ect..now I do his ( what seem like silly little exercises) and whala I’m better. The exercises are to support the knee and increase length and flexibility of tendons and ligaments as far as I understand. All I know is it worked for me.

If you are willing to work, this is a great start!