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    Do You Cave in When You Squat?

    Posts: 4,710 Member
    edited January 27 in Social Groups
    If so, fix it before you hurt yourself.

    I wish this article was written a few years ago. I was having knee pain while squatting, and couldn't figure out why. Eventually, the knee pain started happening while doing normal daily activities. I almost gave up squatting for good. I finally figured out that my knees were caving in at the bottom of my squat and figured out how to fix it.

    Thanks to Bret Contreras, you don't have to learn the hard way like I did: http://bretcontreras.com/knee-valgus-valgus-collapse-glute-medius-strengthening-band-hip-abduction-exercises-and-ankle-dorsiflexion-drills/

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    Replies

    • Posts: 6,420 Member
      aren't the knees supposed to spread out? Like allowing the awesomeness of the squat to finger bang you kinda spread out?
    • Posts: 11,068 Member
      Thanks, bookmarked.
    • Posts: 4,710 Member
      aren't the knees supposed to spread out? Like allowing the awesomeness of the squat to finger bang you kinda spread out?

      tumblr_m66el4ld8f1rxkh8vo1_400.jpg
    • Posts: 6,239 Member
      Bad Girl Machine.
    • Posts: 690 Member
      thanks!
    • Posts: 976 Member
      Tagging Thanks.
    • Posts: 11,068 Member
      Bad Girl Machine.

      That was my nickname in high school.
    • Posts: 6,239 Member
      show previous quotes

      That was my nickname in high school.

      Look, I've been fighting for years saying this machine was useful, but noone believed me!!! =)
    • Posts: 6,420 Member
      show previous quotes

      tumblr_m66el4ld8f1rxkh8vo1_400.jpg

      I was actually being serious. You're suppose to move the knees outwards a wee bit right?
    • Posts: 2,535 Member
      I believe knees, much like laces, should be out.
    • Posts: 4,710 Member
      show previous quotes

      I was actually being serious. You're suppose to move the knees outwards a wee bit right?

      Yes, your toes should point outward, and your knees should track with them.
    • Posts: 834 Member
      Thanks for posting this, Rock :)
    • Posts: 158 Member
      Great info! Thanks!
    • Posts: 28,072 Member
      Bad Girl Machine.

      I AM NOT GOING TO USE THE SLUT MACHINE AND YOU CAN'T MAKE ME!

      I do have bands though to use during light squats - it cues you to keep knees out.
    • Posts: 28,072 Member
      Thanks for posting Rock - good article
    • Posts: 28,072 Member
      I believe knees, much like laces, should be out.

      To the extent your toes are - they should align. People often try to keep their knees out but then end up having them track outside the toes (and vice versa).
    • Posts: 14,025 Member
      Subbed.
    • Posts: 1,387 Member
      Tagging. This is definitely a problem I have.
    • Posts: 6,239 Member
      show previous quotes

      I AM NOT GOING TO USE THE SLUT MACHINE AND YOU CAN'T MAKE ME!

      I do have bands though to use during light squats - it cues you to keep knees out.

      You're missing out =).
    • Posts: 1,363 Member
      Thanks for posting this with a teaser - I follow Bret's blog but given the title I had no idea this article might discuss something that could apply to me. :tongue: I see by a search he doesn't discuss "knock knees" which I suspect is my issue, but I'm hoping the advice may help. Knee pain? Check. Trouble getting knees to track feet? Check.
    • Posts: 576 Member
      Awesome, thanks...tagging for sure!
    • Posts: 28,072 Member
      I just linked this thread to the form/technique one.

      http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/852401-proper-form-and-technique-sources?page=2#posts-15710887
    • Posts: 1,599 Member
      oooh, nice info. I think I might be doing this a bit...I'll have to watch next workout.
    • Posts: 957 Member
      My husband used to get bad knee pain when he tried to do even bodyweight squats. This was the issue for him also.

      Good article and message.
    • Posts: 4,564 Member
      Bump for later.
    • Posts: 2,860 Member
      Bad Girl Machine.

      yes/no machine.
    • Posts: 6,109 Member
      show previous quotes

      tumblr_m66el4ld8f1rxkh8vo1_400.jpg

      This ^^^^^ made my morning :laugh:
    • Posts: 232 Member
      I just have to say thanks for posting this when you did. After reading over the article listed, I realized that as I added weight to my squats, my left knee was caving. I've been working for the last 6-8 weeks to correct that and I can happily report that I've manged to correct it! Granted I'm not pushing the same weight as I was, I'm about 15 lbs off my old max, but my knees are stable. Now I just have to work my way back up. Thanks again! This helped me a lot.
    • Posts: 529 Member
      My daughter is a physio assistant and she preaches this to me. I have one bad knee so have to be careful.
    • Posts: 34,971 Member
      Tagging.

      Love the video on goblet squats. I think I haven't been doing them correctly...and didn't realize about the knee cave in. great article bookmarked!!!
    This discussion has been closed.

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