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I really, REALLY, want to be able to do gymnastics and parkour. A little backstory, I used to be in gymnastics but it was only for two years. I really loved it though and wished I could've stayed longer. That was when I was 12 and now I'm 27 and a mother. I know I need to lose a lot of weight and train in body weight exercises as well as bring my flexibility back up. But my worry is, I completely fractured my ankle when I was 18. I jumped from a tree because I was stuck and couldn't get down. I ended up getting surgery and now have two plates and six screws in my left ankle. On top of that I've noticed my joints haven't been as strong as they used to. I know that could be because I'm 5'8" and 236 pounds. Am I OK to learn gymnastics and parkour still? And is there ways I can improve my bone density?

Hi! I'm new and still sifting through the forums - if this has been asked, please direct me to where other threads are! So, my knees are LOUD. Like, popcorn-in-the-microwave loud when I move, especially up steps. Sometimes, they're painful, but not always. It's definitely obnoxious to sound like I'm cracking glo-sticks with every step. I suspect there's some PF inflammation, as I've had physical therapy for it several years back, but the last time I went to a specialist, the guy couldn't get left from right figured out and I never went back. (Medical visits are expensive enough the first time 'round. I don't have the money in the bank to get second opinions constantly.) Oddly enough, I find my knees are more painful on things involving bodyweight or rapid-impact movement (lunges, bw squats, burpees, jumping jacks), but I can manage weighted squats with minimal discomfort, especially at higher weights. Does anyone else have this issue? Have you found that increasing muscle mass a.) reduces soreness and/or b.) reduces noise? I'd like to reduce my joint issues with fitness and dietary approaches, rather than spend more on the American medical profit machine. [Yes, I'm bitter. My work benefits suck mightily.] Any suggestions, exercises you've found work, articles that you've found useful -- I'm open to information and advice. My end goal is to have strength and endurance - both using bodyweight/plyo and weight training - and that's a looooong way off when my knees (and elbows) won't cooperate.

Specifically wrists and ankles. I've got several hypermobile joints, but the ones that are causing the most problems are my wrists and ankles. My ankles collapse inwards so that it looks like I have flat feet - I control this most of the time with special insoles but I'm currently training six hours a week for a show barefoot (shoes are not an option for this) and they're not happy. A lot of the conditioning involves jumping and my ankles have started buckling. We're working pretty hard, and the more tired I get the harder it is for me to stabilise them. My wrists are most affected by anything involving weight on my hands - handstands, planks etc (and guess what there's a lot of...) because I tend to use them to balance myself far more than I should. So does anyone have any good exercises to strengthen wrists and ankles? I'm starting to get fed up with being looked at like I'm slacking when I bail out of exercises

Hello everyone, as a new member to the community, this is my first post. I am looking for some help or suggestions. I am a bigger guy, 282lbs, and have started the past four months with the paleo diet and Steve's basic bodyweight programs. I have started running as well, doing a number of races in that time (My farthest has been a 10k, which I was psyched to have finished this past Saturday!!). Anyway, I want to start Steve's Dumbell Division strength program, and I have been looking at the guide pretty closely. The only real change I'll have to make is the negative pull ups, as I still can't do a proper one. But regardless of all that, I am worried that my heavy size will make my knees unable to handle the deadlift and squat portions. I believe I can do it, but I am wondering if I should be wearing braces. I've been heavy a while (I'm thirty last year, and I've been overweight my whole life). I don't want to have to quit because of bad knees. So I'm asking: what are the recommendations for knee braces to complete the dumbell training program? brands, types, etc... This is all new territory for me, so assume I know nothing (because I do. Know nothing.) Thanks so much for any help Rebels. This is a FANTASTIC community, and I look forward to being more involved! shaffnut Yorktown, VA

So about a month ago, something weird happened to me. I started to get really stiff and super sore after a particularly intense circuit first thing in the morning. Initially I thought it was post exercise soreness, but instead of abating it got considerably worse. One day I could only swing my legs, not bend them, the next day my arms felt beaten up. Anyway, comes to the weekend about 3 days later, and I clean my parents' house (need the cash) and I can barely drive home afterwards. I jumped in the bath thinking that would help. BIG mistake - I had trouble even getting out. So my partner comes home, helps me to bed and we go to an A&E next morning. Long story short, I end up in hospital the same day. It was really weird, they initially freaked me out with conditions like rheumatic fever, gout, ankylosing spondylitis, but eventually after a couple of days they ruled it down to a temporary "viral reactive polyarthritis". First time I've had it, and my energy is only just coming back. It's still affecting my eyes of all places, they're super hot, itchy and swollen. So has anyone experienced this before? Any tips getting back into exercise? I seem at this point ok to test the waters and get back into fairly intense workout, but I don't wanna end up back where I was. Feel free to comment on the weirdness of this, or share any experiences. Thanks Logros

For the longest time, every time I work out everything pops. Pushups? Shoulders crack. Squats? Knees sound like popcorn. Stretching cracks my back like somebody playing the xylophone. It doesn't usually hurt, and my back always feels heavenly after stretching. Does anybody else have that too?