I usually go below parallel and my knees are getting pretty bad.. what do you guys think is the easiest on knees?
What type of squat is easiest on the knees?
- Thread starter realworksuks
- Start date
I think this is why you shouldn't go bellow parallel...
Once you pass parallel a great deal of stress goes to your knees.
I would revert to Lunges, Walking Lunges, Split Squats....Those are kind of designed to not get you below parallel...
Glucosamine if you don't already take these. And proper joint warm-ups for your knees before doing any of the above.
Squats - without going below parallel
Eric
Once you pass parallel a great deal of stress goes to your knees.
I would revert to Lunges, Walking Lunges, Split Squats....Those are kind of designed to not get you below parallel...
Glucosamine if you don't already take these. And proper joint warm-ups for your knees before doing any of the above.
Squats - without going below parallel
Eric
Eric, why would going below parallel put more pressure on the knees?
What kind of knee pain are you having, RWS? Where is it and what type of pain is it? It could be an injury that gets aggrivated by doing squats. You should probably have it checked out. Anyways, if the pain is on the front, just below the knee cap on the patella tendon, then doing shallow squats will probably make it worse, the shallower the squat the more quad dominant it is and the quads use the patella tendon to move the lower leg (so the shallower it is, the heavier your patella tendon will be used and it will be more likely to cause pain, typically inflammation pain)
I mention this because it is pretty common to get pain there from doing weird squats.
And of course:
If anything hurts, don't do it.
What kind of knee pain are you having, RWS? Where is it and what type of pain is it? It could be an injury that gets aggrivated by doing squats. You should probably have it checked out. Anyways, if the pain is on the front, just below the knee cap on the patella tendon, then doing shallow squats will probably make it worse, the shallower the squat the more quad dominant it is and the quads use the patella tendon to move the lower leg (so the shallower it is, the heavier your patella tendon will be used and it will be more likely to cause pain, typically inflammation pain)
I mention this because it is pretty common to get pain there from doing weird squats.
And of course:
If anything hurts, don't do it.
Below parallel puts more stress on your knees?
It does not, I retract my statement...I checked into this.
ain7:I based this on experience and for some reason when I go below parallel I get pain in my knees as well.
I think I need to go see a Doctor :bncry:
No mention of stress to knees on any of the documents I've read. I actually read that doing squats can prevent knee injury (assuming you got good form).
I will bend over now...so you can kick me in the ass. Sorry RWS
Eric
The easiest squat on the knee is an ATG squat. Research has found that lifetime lifters who squat have stronger knee joints than the average guy.
Is it possible that you think you're going below parallel but aren't? It's often hard to tell when looking in a mirror at yourself. Check your feet positioning too. Ideally take a video of yourself and post it up here
Is it possible that you think you're going below parallel but aren't? It's often hard to tell when looking in a mirror at yourself. Check your feet positioning too. Ideally take a video of yourself and post it up here
I will be studying the squat tonight, my error in judgment has convinced me to educate myself properly on this, lol.
Here's some more info:
Squats & Knees. “Squatting deep is bad for your knees”. That’s a myth you’ll hear a lot. Some will advise you to do Partial Squats, staying above parallel, to avoid knee injury. This is wrong info. Wrong.
Your knee joint is strongest in a fully flexed or full extended position, not the positions in-between. Partial Squats only strengthen your knees & quads, but not your glutes & hamstrings. This causes muscle imbalances & thus injuries.
Millions of competitive weightlifters Squat deeper than described in this article. If you have knee pain from Squats, you’re not using proper technique or you lack ankle/hip mobility. Squatting deep is never the cause.
Squat & Safety. Squat in a Power Rack. Set the safety pins at the height the bar gets in the bottom Squat position. Check the video above for an example. Start light, build up the weight gradually. Safety depends on technique.
I am victim of a myth, no...someone shoot me!
Edit: Here's some more.
Before You Start. Lack of hip flexibility makes it impossible to Squat with proper technique. Do the Squat stretch – 4 sets of 30 seconds. Chest forward, knees out & curled toes. The Squat stretch increases hip flexibility.
Here's some more info:
Squats & Knees. “Squatting deep is bad for your knees”. That’s a myth you’ll hear a lot. Some will advise you to do Partial Squats, staying above parallel, to avoid knee injury. This is wrong info. Wrong.
Your knee joint is strongest in a fully flexed or full extended position, not the positions in-between. Partial Squats only strengthen your knees & quads, but not your glutes & hamstrings. This causes muscle imbalances & thus injuries.
Millions of competitive weightlifters Squat deeper than described in this article. If you have knee pain from Squats, you’re not using proper technique or you lack ankle/hip mobility. Squatting deep is never the cause.
Squat & Safety. Squat in a Power Rack. Set the safety pins at the height the bar gets in the bottom Squat position. Check the video above for an example. Start light, build up the weight gradually. Safety depends on technique.
I am victim of a myth, no...someone shoot me!
Edit: Here's some more.
Before You Start. Lack of hip flexibility makes it impossible to Squat with proper technique. Do the Squat stretch – 4 sets of 30 seconds. Chest forward, knees out & curled toes. The Squat stretch increases hip flexibility.
Last edited:
Where is it... it's right on the kneecap and right under it as well.
It is just like a grinding, popping, type of pain. I can feel it whenever I walk or run, I don't know how to describe it that well.
Having it checked out by a doctor is useless... already had that done, he just suggested not doing deep squats... besides, I don't have medical insurance anymore so that IS NOT HAPPENING!
I already have a video of me doing squats somewhere on the forum..I can't remember anyone saying my form sucked.
Evo said that he didn't like how I locked out at the top.. but that's all I can remember.
well if it hurts, then stop doing it. Try other things. lunges, etc. I've heard lunges can be harder on the knees than squats (not that that is a bad thing) but it could just be something in the mechanics of the regular squat that makes your knees hurt, not necissarily any "pressure" problem. If you catch my drift? So just try everything to work your legs and find out what doesn't hurt.
Did the doc check out your knees? xrays, test to see if the tendons are tight enough, etc? or did he just say "don't squat deep"
Did the doc check out your knees? xrays, test to see if the tendons are tight enough, etc? or did he just say "don't squat deep"
Did the doc check out your knees? xrays, test to see if the tendons are tight enough, etc? or did he just say "don't squat deep"
Karkster, you don't understand: Americans, they have to "pay" for things. Horrifying, no?
lol
He grabbed my knee and moved it into uncomfortable positions and then assigned me to physical therapy..
I didn't go to physical therapy.. I can wall squat and stretch etc. on my own if I need to.
Quality > Quantity
Theres the problem.
Eric
physical therapy is useless (for my problem anyway). A therapist once told me to stop drinking protein shakes because they cause fat gain...
Last edited:
Did you tell the therapist to stop being a therapist because he/she is stupid?
lol....stop drinking proteins shakes...
Well trying to solve this is coming to a dead end then.
Karky said it best, if it hurts, don't do it.
If doctors, therapy and proper form can't help you, what will?
I know glucosamine is good for joints and all, but you must already take that, I'm guessing.
Good luck man
Eric
lol....stop drinking proteins shakes...
Well trying to solve this is coming to a dead end then.
Karky said it best, if it hurts, don't do it.
If doctors, therapy and proper form can't help you, what will?
I know glucosamine is good for joints and all, but you must already take that, I'm guessing.
Good luck man
Eric
That's not what she said.
But it's what I said
In America, only the middle class and the rich can afford health care. But the quality of the health care will beat any other country in the world.
Other countries sacrifice the quality of the doctor and the health care so that everyone can afford it.
But it's what I said
In America, only the middle class and the rich can afford health care. But the quality of the health care will beat any other country in the world.
Other countries sacrifice the quality of the doctor and the health care so that everyone can afford it.
And in Canada's case, let the upper middle class and the rich wander across the border to your country for high end care, if they can be bothered. It's a good system, imo.
I, uh, wouldn't know personally, though, because health care is for babies.