Quick comment on squats and knees

[mickyjune26]

At work, I have to walk up and down a flight of stairs, usually about 2 - 3 times/day.

Usually, my knees ache a little when going down the stairs slowly.

I just started to notice that my knees don't hurt, or hurt less then normal the day after I do squats. I wanted to plug squats.

When done with the correct form, they can strengthen your knees.

Ironically, leg extensions, the lift most people do who are afraid to hurt their knees, cause me knees to ache more than usual.

[thetopdog]

My knees hurt occasionally, but I have bad knees anyways

And I just want to say you're a tall motherfu*ker!

[mickyjune26]

You bet. I'm too huge yet, but a bunch of people watch me when I lift anyway.

I don't really blend in much.

[BigCorey75]

actually the sheer affect of leg extensions can do more hamr to your knee than squats.


when you go to paralell on squats the force is shifted off the knee and on to the powerful muscles of the hips and gluts and onto the more stable hip joint and can actually strengthen the knees

[Adetweiler]

I have always been scared of squats because my right knee has had the cartilage removed for about 10 years now. I started doing squats 3 weeks ago(easing into it), and I have had no knee pain at all outside the usual. Now my leg muscles on the other hand... WOW that hurts. I will get used to it though

[mickyjune26]

No more leg extensions for me!

[PYRO]

I read somewhere that leg extensions are bad to knees. So stopped doing them 1 year ago.. and Never return

[drew]

My knees have never felt better since I started squats over a year ago.

[shootermcgavin7]

Im 6'2" and squats are a bitch for me. I can't imagine how hard they'd be for someone who's 6'7"

[bill]

Actually my knees hurt now that I do squats, I looking into my form more from now on. I hope thats the prob. Can't give up squats so

[debussy]

I used to be afraid of ATF squats since I have bad knees that pop and make weird noises. After doing ATF squats my knees actually felt better. I don't know if it's really true... but I have a feeling squatting makes your knees stronger.

Bill: you should post some pics/vid of your squatting so we can critique it.

[mickyjune26]

What are ATF squats?

BTW - Use the smith machine so I'm pressing more the weight from the heels of my feet. Over time, I've noticed the weight going from my heels to the full flat of my feet. I've also noticed that the pressure is going from my stomach and back to my knees.

There is a fine balance in using the right form. Most of all, I listen to my body.

[Max-Mex]

ATF=Ass to Floor

I think he should stick with real squats. You work fewer muscles when doing any lift in a smith.

[mickyjune26]

true. I'm working from Smith to free weights.