Squat Alternative

[fyyer]

Anyone here know a decent squat alternative that doesnt strain the knees as much, because doing a full squat with ONLY 50 or 60 additional lbs for a few reps hurts my knees ( my right knee in particular which 'pops' alot at the joint around the cap ) I dont have a leg pressing machine, only free weights. Any ideas? I would use knee wraps, but I dont have any. Unless someone knows an alternative?

I wanna also add partial squats even give pain to the knee as well

 

[BigBadBootyDaddy29]

I might catch some flak for this, but it is how I feel.....I don't think partial squats belong in anybody's program, I think they are a dangerous butchering of form and they do nothing but create a muscular imbalance between the quadriceps and the hamstrings and cause injury.......as far as your knee pain, before ditching squats, I would suggest you evaluate and re-evaluate your form to rule that out, because a full, ass to the floor squat, when executed properly, is actually a very safe exercise. Squats get a bad rap because they cause knee problems when people use poor form and most people do use poor form......So please check into this because squats truly are an exercise that nothing else can come close to in terms of what they can do for you......so to answer your question, there is no replacement that can be as beneficial as squats, but if you want a waaaaaaaaaaaay distant second and you have no leg press, try hack squats.

 

[Thaibox]

I actually agree with BBD.

-Try different foot positions.
-Buy a wrap or light brace for your knee.
-There's several forms of squats to try, some less stressful on the knees.

Don't let a small knee problem take away something like squats. Find a way bro.

 

[BowlingForSoup]

BBBD and Thaibox are correct. When I had knee surgery, they told me that full squats with low weight were beneficial for my knees. Which they were right. Do full squats with some knee wraps, sleeve, something. You'll be glad you did them later on. Partial squats really can hurt things.

 

[spatts]

Sitting back and using your hams to squat actually PROTECTS the knee...I'm going with BBD on this one too.

 

[Zander1983]

Riddled with injuries, my ankles are currently my main problem. As a result I haven't been able to full squat properly (they lack the flexibility, strength and stability atm), so I've been really pounding my deadlifts to make up for it. I've adjusted my technique and stance to get my quads more involved. I've been doing barbell hack squats too, but they just aren't the same. Nothing can replace a full squat. Nothing.

Unfortunately, since I workout at home with only the good, quality basics, I don't have access to a leg press. When fighting injuries like I am, I would make use of it. With merely a barbell and power rack, I'm struggling for squat alternatives, and a lot of the other free weight exercises for quads are just as bad as squats for my ankles.

This is wrong. I'm 20 and my body is already causing me grief that I would be expecting from somebody 10 years my senior. Maybe indoor soccer on such a hard surface isn't the healthiest hobby.

Oh, and don't worry about the knee popping. It is probably just air moving around the joint.

 

[SofaGeorge]

When I could barely walk after a serious injury... squating with the bar was my first exercise. After I ripped my knee out in a kung fu class... squating with the bar was my first exercise.

I hurt too. I still went right back to squating.

 

[fyyer]

No no no, What I meant was, even partial squats hurt, I wasnt planning on including them into my workout regime. I did not get knee injuries from doing squats, so I think I can rule out its not from doing them "wrong". A while back they just started to pop at the joint, and I guess over time of popping it back and forth it created arthritis there. I dont know though, maybe its something else.

 

[jerkbox]

box squats......all the way.

I wrap my bad knee when I do em....just as a precaution.

 

[Nonerz]

box squats......all the way.

me like!

zander, you're right...there is NOTHING that can replace a full squat!