It can be very frustrating when you are a fitness fanatic and suffer an injury that prevents you from exercising. But with a little creative thinking and straying from your regular fitness routine, you can still get the exercise you need.

Exercising with a Broken Foot, Sprained Ankle or Broken Leg

If you suffer from a broken foot, sprained ankle, or broken leg there are still exercises that you can try. Providing that you have a waterproof cast for your broken leg or foot, you can try swimming. It is recommended to use a buoy to prevent further injury and strain. Pilates and yoga are also suggestions to try with a broken foot. Yoga is especially recommended for regaining flexibility and coordination. There are many yoga positions that you can try with a broken foot such as Wind Relieving Pose, the Cow-Head Pose, the Camel Pose and the Cobra Pose and many others.

If available at your local gym, rowing machines are great to try also with a sprained ankle. Another option to try is seated aerobics. This is also a great option for the disabled in wheelchairs. Lisa Ericson, a trained aerobics instructor designed and created her own seated aerobics program.

Exercising with a Broken Arm, Broken Wrist or Injured Shoulder

Any weight lifting would obviously have to be done with the uninjured arm or shoulder. But there are many cardio options to do with a broken arm. Walking, running, and using a stationary bike are great options for exercise. Creating your own walking routine with added challenges will help burn extra calories. Such challenges can be adding hills into your route or adding a minute or two of jogging into your schedule.

Exercising with Hip Injury

Hip injuries really limit how much cardio you can do, but low impact walking can still be an option. Swimming with a buoy is also an alternative exercise routine. Upper body weight lifting can also still be implemented. Contact a local yoga instructor as to what stretches to avoid and which ones might be able to help. Depending on what kind of hip injury or hip surgery you have had, the stretches vary.

Exercising with Knee Injury

Swimming and water aerobics are great options to try with knee injuries. Water aerobics using a noodle or other tools is a great way to lose weight and strengthen your knee. The elliptical machine and the rowing machines at your local gym are also suggested to try with sore knees. Walking is also an option, using a knee brace if needed. Biking is also an alternative exercise, either outside or a stationary bike inside. Most yoga positions are not recommended with knee injuries, so be sure to check with an instructor which positions to avoid to prevent further strain on your knees. Doing squats are also recommended for injured knees.

For women, Curves is a great option to try as you can always modify your exercise routine as to what injury you have. That is what worked for me when I was pregnant and had hip pain and lower back pain. I could still do my cardio and upper body workouts, but just avoided some of the machines and still felt a difference when I was done!

Surely, there is no reason for you not to stay healthy even with injuries. For some inspiring stories about people who have overcome the challenge of being injured, read full story on this page. This story will surely motivate and inspire you.