Becs Gentry, Peloton Tread instructor and RRCA-certified run coach, asked POPSUGAR, "How many millions of times do you hear people say, 'Oh, you're not going to be able to walk when you're old'?" That running is bad for your knees has actually, she noted, been debunked in recent years. "There's research proving that cardiovascular exercise including running can actually strengthen the bones and therefore leads to stronger joints and bones and helps people who have this so-called 'bad knee issue.'" Note: some doctors do not recommend running for people with certain types of arthritis, so make sure to contact a medical professional.
Though "runner's knee" can be caused by overuse, it doesn't mean you're going to be permanently injured, and there's a difference between soreness and being in pain to the point where you need a break, Becs said. Plus, if you're new to running, it's normal to have aches, she added. "You have to look after everything in your body that hasn't been moving like that before. You have to identify and accept that you have weaknesses in areas that you felt were quite strong like your knees, your hips, your back," she noted. That being said, Becs advised that you should go to a physician if you're experiencing runner's knee or any other pain that worsens. Read more about runner's knee here. In addition, make sure you're wearing the proper shoes.