dodgy knees due to squats

divie · 11-01-2005, 08:47 PM

HHi,i know a bloke who we all call arnie and hes suffering from bad knees at the age of 35,hes massive and i think his knees are ruined because of squats.The other day my knees started to ache and hurt at the knee joints is this because of squats.Is it better to go all the way down or not i just go half the way down but i dont want dodgy knees.

Benji · 11-01-2005, 09:02 PM

All the way down is best, stopping half way through the movement puts far more stress on the knees.

Also.... running puts far more stress on the knees than squats, so if your ever gonna do alot of running(maybe??) I would advise you goet some decent shoes

mrfitness · 12-01-2005, 03:01 PM

I disagree, from my experience it is better to squat until your legs are parallel to the floor. Going below parallel puts alot more stress upon the knee joints.

Now depending on how tall you are this might be easy or very difficult. Im a short-ass (5'6), so I can get down to parallel and lift alot of weight on my legs pretty easily.

I do however agree on the aspect of running being quite tough on the knees. You need to make sure you have a good pair of running shoes, and to take a break from it every so often. I tend to avoid running when im on a heavy cycle for my legs, and just use low-impact cardio equipment such as bikes, steppers and crosstrainers

vinger · 13-01-2005, 06:50 AM

its gotta be all the way down 4me. thats a squat. Its your call how u train tho or how much pain your willing to train thru. I suffer from painfull knees aswell but if im gonna squat then its ass 2 the grass. Have u tried knee wraps divie? I always ice my knees 4 20mins after a squat session aswell, it helps the inflamation go down.

rourkchris · 17-01-2005, 10:01 PM

I see this alot and feel it's somewhat of a myth that squats will hurt your knees. I have never had a serious knee injury so it was never an issue for me. My closest friend had major knee injuries 3 times in high school. Torn ACL in his right knee and a torn MCL and ACL in his left knee. On the advice of his doctor and our football coaches squats were avoided as part of our training. He didn't squat for over 10 years due to these injuries. Started having arthritis pain in both knees around 5 years after his injuries which left him limping and in pain especially in cold weather. At 22 years old during the winter he walked like an 80 year old man. Always an athlete(State heavyweight wrestling champion and All-State defensive tackle) he kept working out but avoided squats like the plague. When he decided to get dedicated to putting on some serious muscle naturally he began to squat again. Keeping in mind that he hadn't done squats for a decade and at the age of 28 and staying natural it was quite a brave undertaking but his determination was to no longer be held hostage by his body. Also being an assistant football coach and head wrestling coach for our local high scool he wanted to set an example. After 8 months he had reached personal bests in the squat doing 525lbs at a bodyweight of 240lbs. This was with a lifting belt but no straps. Did it in the safety of a squat rack but no spotter. Always to below parellel. I was shocked and amazed and it had an overall effect of transforming his body from 20% BF to 12% BF. When he started he couldn't squat 200lbs. It was a scary undertaking that he just had to get past the mental barrier but once he did his gains soared and he tells me that his arthritic knees still cause some pain on cold mornings but is greatly reduced. He no longer takes prescription anti-inflamatory drugs. It really turned his life around for the better. I know how bad his injuries were so I am very impressed. It certainly serves as my motivation when I need to push through on the squat. Now he did hurt himself at a young age so that has to be taken into account and the fact that they had so long to heal before squating again. However he didn't make the mistake that many do and avoid squating forever. His knees are stronger than ever and his doctor agrees that his knees are more structurally sound than he would have thought possible. I only tell this story to give some insight to those who avoid squating for senseless fears. If you have had a previous injury to your knees consult your doctor but give this post some thought and start out light if/when you decide to take the plunge. I also feel that more kne injuries are caused from a quadriceps/hamstring strength imbalance than from squatting. Go to your local gym and do some hamstring curls-I bet you don't have to wait on someone else to finish their set first :shock:

11-01-2005, 08:47 PM	#1 (permalink)
divie Making Progress Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: somerset Posts: 436 Rep Power:	dodgy knees due to squats HHi,i know a bloke who we all call arnie and hes suffering from bad knees at the age of 35,hes massive and i think his knees are ruined because of squats.The other day my knees started to ache and hurt at the knee joints is this because of squats.Is it better to go all the way down or not i just go half the way down but i dont want dodgy knees.

11-01-2005, 09:02 PM	#2 (permalink)
Benji Making Progress Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Warrington, Cheshire Posts: 184 Rep Power:	All the way down is best, stopping half way through the movement puts far more stress on the knees. Also.... running puts far more stress on the knees than squats, so if your ever gonna do alot of running(maybe??) I would advise you goet some decent shoes ______________________ Benj

12-01-2005, 03:01 PM	#3 (permalink)
mrfitness Under Construction Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kent, UK Posts: 15 Rep Power:	I disagree, from my experience it is better to squat until your legs are parallel to the floor. Going below parallel puts alot more stress upon the knee joints. Now depending on how tall you are this might be easy or very difficult. Im a short-ass (5'6), so I can get down to parallel and lift alot of weight on my legs pretty easily. I do however agree on the aspect of running being quite tough on the knees. You need to make sure you have a good pair of running shoes, and to take a break from it every so often. I tend to avoid running when im on a heavy cycle for my legs, and just use low-impact cardio equipment such as bikes, steppers and crosstrainers ______________________ 'Its not how much you lift, its how you lift it' Personal Trainer

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13-01-2005, 06:50 AM	#4 (permalink)
vinger Making Progress Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: manchester Posts: 348 Rep Power:	its gotta be all the way down 4me. thats a squat. Its your call how u train tho or how much pain your willing to train thru. I suffer from painfull knees aswell but if im gonna squat then its ass 2 the grass. Have u tried knee wraps divie? I always ice my knees 4 20mins after a squat session aswell, it helps the inflamation go down.

17-01-2005, 10:01 PM	#5 (permalink)
rourkchris Under Construction Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 38 Rep Power:	I see this alot and feel it's somewhat of a myth that squats will hurt your knees. I have never had a serious knee injury so it was never an issue for me. My closest friend had major knee injuries 3 times in high school. Torn ACL in his right knee and a torn MCL and ACL in his left knee. On the advice of his doctor and our football coaches squats were avoided as part of our training. He didn't squat for over 10 years due to these injuries. Started having arthritis pain in both knees around 5 years after his injuries which left him limping and in pain especially in cold weather. At 22 years old during the winter he walked like an 80 year old man. Always an athlete(State heavyweight wrestling champion and All-State defensive tackle) he kept working out but avoided squats like the plague. When he decided to get dedicated to putting on some serious muscle naturally he began to squat again. Keeping in mind that he hadn't done squats for a decade and at the age of 28 and staying natural it was quite a brave undertaking but his determination was to no longer be held hostage by his body. Also being an assistant football coach and head wrestling coach for our local high scool he wanted to set an example. After 8 months he had reached personal bests in the squat doing 525lbs at a bodyweight of 240lbs. This was with a lifting belt but no straps. Did it in the safety of a squat rack but no spotter. Always to below parellel. I was shocked and amazed and it had an overall effect of transforming his body from 20% BF to 12% BF. When he started he couldn't squat 200lbs. It was a scary undertaking that he just had to get past the mental barrier but once he did his gains soared and he tells me that his arthritic knees still cause some pain on cold mornings but is greatly reduced. He no longer takes prescription anti-inflamatory drugs. It really turned his life around for the better. I know how bad his injuries were so I am very impressed. It certainly serves as my motivation when I need to push through on the squat. Now he did hurt himself at a young age so that has to be taken into account and the fact that they had so long to heal before squating again. However he didn't make the mistake that many do and avoid squating forever. His knees are stronger than ever and his doctor agrees that his knees are more structurally sound than he would have thought possible. I only tell this story to give some insight to those who avoid squating for senseless fears. If you have had a previous injury to your knees consult your doctor but give this post some thought and start out light if/when you decide to take the plunge. I also feel that more kne injuries are caused from a quadriceps/hamstring strength imbalance than from squatting. Go to your local gym and do some hamstring curls-I bet you don't have to wait on someone else to finish their set first :shock: